Key takeaways

• Numbness and tingling affect most people with fibromyalgia, often shifting in location and intensity.
• Research links these sensations to small-fiber neuropathy, central sensitisation, and nervous system changes.
• Symptoms may not follow typical nerve patterns and can appear in various body areas, sometimes without clear triggers.
• Tracking when, where, and how symptoms change can help you and your clinician find better management strategies.
• The Human Health app offers an interactive way to log and visualise these patterns over time.

‍Disclaimer: Human Health is not recommending any specific medical treatment for any particular symptom, nor providing any other medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor or healthcare provider regarding any medical concern.

If you live with fibromyalgia, you might know the strange mix of surprise and frustration that comes with sudden numbness or tingling. One moment you feel fine, and the next, part of your body feels dull, heavy, or oddly “asleep”. Sometimes for minutes, sometimes for hours.

These sensations are a familiar part of life for many people with fibromyalgia, but they can still be unsettling. In this article, we’ll look at why they happen, which areas are most often affected, how to spot when it could be something else, and ways to track and talk about them with your healthcare provider.

What is fibromyalgia numbness & why does it happen

Numbness and tingling are among the less understood symptoms of fibromyalgia. Often described as a loss of sensation, a “pins and needles” feeling, or skin that feels oddly thick, this experience is known medically as paresthesia.

Researchers haven’t pinpointed a single cause, but it’s thought to be linked to changes in how the brain and nervous system process pain and sensory signals. These altered pain pathways can make harmless sensations feel unusual, uncomfortable, or even alarming. 

For some, numbness appears alongside other fibro symptoms such as fatigue or muscle stiffness, and it may come and go without a clear trigger.

Possible causes of fibromyalgia numbness

Numbness and tingling are widely reported in fibromyalgia, with studies finding them in a majority of patients (research suggests anywhere from around two-thirds to over 80%). While the exact reason isn’t always clear, research points to a few possible factors

• Central sensitization: An over-responsive nervous system can amplify ordinary sensations, making them feel strange or uncomfortable. This process has been seen in brain imaging and sensory testing in people with fibromyalgia.
• Small-fiber nerve changes: In some cases, tiny sensory nerve fibers in the skin show changes linked to fibromyalgia. Multiple studies using skin biopsy and sensory testing suggest that around 40% of people with fibromyalgia meet criteria for small-fiber neuropathy, which can cause numbness and tingling.
• Objective neurological changes: Controlled studies have found that self-reported numbness often matches up with measurable differences on neurological exams, supporting the idea that these sensations have a physical basis.
• Symptom clustering: Numbness often appears alongside fatigue, poor sleep, and other fibro symptoms, suggesting it may be part of a broader pattern rather than a stand-alone issue.

Top tip: Log when numbness happens, what you're doing, and how long it lasts in the Human Health app. These patterns can help you and your healthcare provider better understand what’s going on.

Common symptoms and affected areas

Fibromyalgia-related numbness can affect many parts of the body, and it often changes over time. Symptoms may vary in intensity, move from one area to another, or come and go without a clear pattern.

Hands and fingers

Numbness in the hands can make everyday activities more difficult, from buttoning a shirt to holding a pen. Some people find it affects both hands equally, while others notice it on one side more than the other. It may set in gradually over the day or appear suddenly, and can be triggered or worsened by repetitive motions, like typing or cooking.

Feet and toes

This can feel like a dull heaviness, a loss of sensation, or the classic “pins and needles.” It may make it harder to balance, especially if it occurs alongside muscle stiffness. Symptoms can flare after long periods of standing, or conversely, after sitting still for too long.

Arms and legs

Numbness here can affect a single limb or multiple limbs at once. It may shift from one side of the body to the other, or alternate between the upper and lower limbs. Some people find that certain positions, such as crossing the legs or resting an elbow, bring it on more quickly.

Face

Facial numbness is less common, but when it occurs it can affect the cheeks, jaw, lips, or around the eyes. It might feel like tingling, mild swelling, or a sudden lack of sensation. For some, it coincides with other symptoms like headaches or jaw pain.

Shifting and fluctuating patterns

One of the hallmarks of fibromyalgia-related numbness is its unpredictability. The location can change from week to week (or even hour to hour) without a clear trigger. These shifting patterns can make it harder to explain symptoms to others or to notice potential links to activities, stress levels, or sleep quality.

Top tip: Tracking numbness in the Human Health app helps you record exactly where and when symptoms appear. Over time, this can make it easier to spot trends, triggers, or patterns to share with your healthcare provider.

Is the numbness caused by fibromyalgia or something else?

Although numbness and tingling are common in fibromyalgia, they can also be linked to other health conditions. Some of these have very different underlying causes and treatments, so it’s important to consider all possibilities with your healthcare provider.

Carpal tunnel syndrome

This condition occurs when the median nerve is compressed as it passes through the wrist. It can cause numbness, tingling, and weakness in the hand and fingers (often the thumb, index, and middle fingers). Symptoms may worsen at night or after repetitive hand use.

Peripheral neuropathy

Peripheral neuropathy happens when nerves outside the brain and spinal cord are damaged, sometimes due to diabetes, vitamin deficiencies, or certain medications. It can cause numbness, burning, or tingling in the hands and feet, often following a “stocking-glove” pattern.

Multiple sclerosis (MS)

MS is an autoimmune condition that affects the central nervous system. Numbness can be one of the earliest symptoms, appearing in the face, limbs, or trunk. It often occurs alongside other neurological signs, such as vision changes, muscle weakness, or balance problems.

Cervical or lumbar spine issues

Nerve compression from herniated discs, spinal stenosis, or degenerative changes in the neck or lower back can cause numbness. The location often follows a specific nerve path (for example, from the neck into one arm, or from the lower back into a leg and foot).

Top tip: If you notice that numbness follows a consistent path or is always in the same area, this is important to share with your healthcare provider, as it may point to a structural nerve issue rather than fibromyalgia.

Migraine with sensory aura

Some migraines cause temporary sensory symptoms, including tingling or numbness, which may affect the face, arms, or hands. These usually develop gradually and resolve within minutes to an hour.

Top tip: Use the symptom tracking feature in the Human Health app to record the type, intensity, and frequency of numbness. You can then add a journal entry alongside it to capture extra context (for example, noting if headaches, posture changes, or specific activities occurred at the same time). This combination can give your healthcare provider a clearer picture of patterns over time.

Tips & treatments to manage fibromyalgia numbness

While there’s no single fix for fibromyalgia numbness, there are ways to make it less disruptive day to day. These strategies focus on comfort, mobility, and better understanding your symptoms over time.

Gentle movement and stretching

Low-impact activities like walking, swimming, or gentle yoga can help improve circulation and ease muscle tension. Regular stretching, especially in areas where numbness appears, may also keep joints and tissues more flexible.

Temperature therapy

Alternating warm and cool compresses can stimulate blood flow and nerve activity in the affected area. Some people find that warm baths or showers help “wake up” numb areas.

Posture adjustments

Poor posture can increase pressure on nerves, especially in the neck, shoulders, or lower back. Setting up an ergonomic workstation and taking regular posture breaks may help reduce symptoms.

Nerve-friendly nutrition

Although research is ongoing, maintaining adequate vitamin B12 and other essential nutrients supports overall nerve health. Always confirm supplements or dietary changes with a healthcare provider before starting.

Stress management techniques

Stress can amplify fibromyalgia symptoms, including numbness. Mind-body approaches like mindfulness meditation, breathing exercises, or guided relaxation may help lower symptom intensity.

“The most significant improvements come from lifestyle changes. Programs that blend psychological and physical therapy methods have shown substantial benefits. These programs emphasise the importance of pacing oneself, finding a balance in activities, and altering attitudes toward rest.”— Dr Rafik Sedra, Consultant in Pain Medicine and Anaesthesia

Top tip: Use Human Health’s guided routines and sleep tracker to build habits that support symptom management. By logging daily activities and symptoms, you can start to see what’s helping and what might be making numbness worse.

When to seek medical advice

Numbness with fibromyalgia is often harmless, but there are times when you should get it checked promptly. Because numbness can also be a symptom of other conditions (such as nerve compression, multiple sclerosis, or peripheral neuropathy), it’s important not to assume it’s always linked to fibromyalgia.

Seek medical advice if you notice:

• Sudden onset of numbness or tingling, especially on one side of the body.
• Progressive worsening over days or weeks.
• Accompanying weakness, vision changes, loss of balance, or difficulty speaking.
• Persistent numbness that does not improve with your usual self-management strategies.

Your clinician may recommend neurological tests, blood work, or imaging to rule out other causes before confirming a fibromyalgia-related origin.

Top tip: Bring your Human Health symptom log to your appointment. It can give your clinician a clear timeline of when numbness began, how it has changed, and whether it links to activity, sleep, or stress patterns.

How Human Health can help you track and manage fibromyalgia symptoms

Keeping track of when and where numbness occurs can reveal valuable patterns. Patterns that may be hard to spot day-to-day. The Human Health app lets you log symptoms in real time and record details such as the location, type, and intensity of each flare-up. You can also log related sleep symptoms or note activities within your plan that might influence how you feel. Over time, these insights can help you and your clinician refine your management plan.

Start tracking your symptoms today

FAQs:

#1. Can fibromyalgia numbness become permanent?

It’s usually temporary and fluctuates. Long-term numbness is uncommon and may signal another condition, so it’s worth discussing with your doctor.

#2. Should I be concerned if it’s only on one side of the body?

Yes. While fibromyalgia symptoms can be patchy, numbness on one side should be checked to rule out other neurological causes.

#3. What’s the difference between numbness and tingling in fibromyalgia?

Numbness is reduced sensation; tingling is a “pins and needles” feeling. Both can occur together in fibromyalgia due to altered nerve signalling.

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Sources:

1. PubMed Central: Neurological signs and symptoms in fibromyalgia
2. The Lancet Rhematology: Central sensitisation in chronic pain conditions: latest discoveries and their potential for precision medicine
3. PubMed Central: Specific symptoms may discriminate between fibromyalgia patients with vs without objective test evidence of small-fiber polyneuropathy
4. Frontiers in Medicine: Fibromyalgia and Associated Disorders: From Pain to Chronic Suffering, From Subjective Hypersensitivity to Hypersensitivity Syndrome
5. National Library of Medicine: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome 
6. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke: Peripheral Neuropathy
7. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke: Multiple Sclerosis