What Causes Pins and Needles?

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My Arm Fell Asleep, but why?

Small blood vessels that supply nerves with nutrients (vasa nervorum) are sensitive to mechanical compression. When there is restricted blood flow (ischemia) to sensory nerves you will start to feel pins & needles (paraesthesia). Re-positioning your limb or going for a walk generally is enough to relieve this compression and will put a stop to the pins and needles sensation.

This phenomenon is illustrated well in the latest video by SciShow (2:26 min)