What Are the Common Causes of Numbness in the Chest?

Several conditions can make your chest feel numb. One common cause is intercostal neuralgia. This happens when the nerves running between your ribs become irritated or injured, leading to a band-like area of numbness or pain. Another cause is thoracic outlet syndrome. In this condition, nerves and blood vessels that travel from your neck to your arm get squeezed, which can sometimes cause numbness in the chest along with other symptoms in the arm and shoulder. Additionally, conditions affecting the spine may also affect the nerves that serve the chest area. For example, issues like nerve compression or inflammation in the spinal cord or nearby areas could lead to sensory changes, including numbness in the chest. These explanations come from understanding common nerve problems in the chest area as reviewed in medical literature. It is important to talk to a doctor if you experience chest numbness so they can check for these conditions and other causes, and give the right guidance.