Pins and needles! What and Why?

[Monstersdad]

Hi answer band land,

after a silly conversation last night one question went unanswered, as it says about, what cuases pins and needles in feet/hands, why do we get them. Almost another one of those - what's the point of nipples on men type of questions but hey, I'd love your input folks. Type soon. xxx

Dave

[jno]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/ask_the_doctor/pinsneedles.shtml

[Octavius]

Needles and pins
Needles and pins
When a Man marries
His Trouble begins.

jno's link is more detailed, but pins and needles (or needles and pins) - lack of sensation - is caused by a temporary impedance of blood flow (such as sitting on your foot etc) to the 'dead area' which results in nerve cells being starved of oxygen and glucose. Additionally, the impedance of blood flow is usually due to pressure on the limb which in turn compresses the nerve cells, making transmission of neural impulses more difficult.