Sitting in a position that puts pressure on the blood vessels or nerves of the legs or feet can result in temporary foot numbness. This numbness or tingling is temporary and relieved by a change in position. You may experience longer lasting numbness with certain conditions, chronic numbness following surgery or with a metabolic disorder, or new numbness in the legs or feet following an injury such as a car accident.
What Causes Foot Numbness?
Foot numbness most people are familiar with involves sitting in an awkward position such as on the floor. Or with their legs crossed. This can restrict your circulation and/or compress nerves. Which then leads to loss of feeling in the toes and feet.
Longer term numbness in the feet is more likely caused by a medical condition. You may experience lasting numbness with lower back injuries such as a disc herniation. Metabolic disorders such as diabetes can cause numbness. Also, peripheral artery disease, autoimmune disease such as multiple sclerosis, tumor, and other conditions can lead to numb feet.
A proper history and evaluation is important to rule out red flags and come up with a diagnosis. A working theory as to why you are feeling numbness in the feet or legs is the first step. Because some of the underlying causes can be serious and even life threatening, even though less probable, prolonged or repeated bouts of loss of feeling in the lower extremities and feet should not be disregarded or ignored.
Treatment Options
Treatment is dependent on the underlying cause of the numbness. Symptoms stemming from posture or poor work ergonomics, sciatica, spinal disc or joint problems, lifestyle factors, and certain metabolic conditions can be well addressed in the chiropractors office through the taking of a careful history, examination, and any special tests such as imaging or blood work if warranted. Then, depending on the cause, an individual treatment plan can be discussed which may include education about the condition or conditions leading to the numbness, exercises or advice on lifestyle or diet modification, adjustments or joint manipulation to the spinal or extremity joints which may be affecting numbness in conditions such as lumbar facet syndrome or tarsal tunnel syndrome. Stretching and home exercise programs can be utilized to instill self reliance, independence, and confidence to try and overcome any flare-ups or recurrences of the condition you may experience.
Check the website and book an appointment. Call (203)235-0171 if you think your foot numbness should be evaluated by Dr. Erik Reich.