Eli5: What is really happening when body parts “fall asleep” & why does the sensation feel that way?

Question

I undeestand it has to do with blood flow and such… but I’m curious why it feels tingly or even painful sometimes?

In: Biology

Answer 1

Pins and needles is like an old-fashioned analog TV or radio with bad reception, or tuned slightly off station. There’s a signal coming through, sort of, but it’s noisy and hard to interpret. The noise feels like pins and needles, and the actual sensation of touching something is muted and fuzzy.