Body-wide pressure induced numbness despite normal MRI/EMG/Biopsy

Posted by zzdd33 @zzdd33, Nov 8, 2025

For the last six months, mild pressure on my arms/legs/hands/feet has been causing them to go numb. That numbness then goes away when pressure is removed. The threshold of pressure that causes numbness has been steadily decreasing.

I have already cut out many activities which trigger my symptoms (such as weightlifting and stretching), but it has gotten to the point where everyday tasks like sitting, typing, holding my phone, driving, playing piano, etc. all cause either numbness or altered sensation.

In addition to the pressure-triggered numbness, I sometimes get burning, tingling, or other abnormal sensations (mostly in my hands and feet). I have also noticed heightened heat/cold sensitivity.

So far I’ve had the following tests done, all of which came back normal.
- MRI of thoracic spine, cervical spine, and brain
- EMG/NCS of both arms and one leg
- Skin biopsy (foot, ankle, wrist)
- Nerve ultrasound
- Blood testing (CBC, CMP, Hepatic function panel, Lipid panel, Vitamin D, Iron, Ferritin, Zinc, Copper, B12, TSH+T4, ANA)

Is anyone aware of a condition that could explain these symptoms despite the negative test results?

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@zzdd33, I am having very similar symptoms. They also did the same MRIs on me, but I was told there was nothing acute. They ran basic blood tests, yet nothing significant turned up. Have you been able to find an answer? Mine began with mid-back pain then morphed into exactly what you describe.

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