Treatment FAQ

what is the treatment of leg numbness

by Ebony Stoltenberg Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Medical options for long-term numbness in the legs and feet include:

  • Antidepressants. Some antidepressants, such as duloxetine and milnacipran, have been approved for the treatment of fibromyalgia.
  • Corticosteroids. Some corticosteroids can help reduce chronic inflammation and numbness associated with conditions such as MS.
  • Gabapentin and pregabalin. ...

Many of the conditions that cause leg and foot numbness, such as nerve pressure, improve with rest. Ice. Ice can help reduce swelling that can put pressure on nerves. Apply cold compresses or wrapped icepacks to numb legs and feet for 15 minutes at a time several times daily.

Full Answer

What you should know if you have leg weakness?

Jun 05, 2017 · Dietary Changes to Prevent Numbness in Legs 1. Indian Gooseberry. Take one tablespoon of Indian gooseberry powder, and mix it with one glass of milk or water for a... 2. Avocados. Incorporate one avocado in your daily diet to promote good blood circulation with the magnesium component. 3. Soybeans. ...

What are the best treatments for leg pain and swelling?

Numbness in lower legs may be accompanied by other symptoms such as pain, burning, and difficulty walking, and causes can be mechanical, metabolic, and inflammatory, amongst others. Read more below to learn 10 possible causes of numbness in lower legs, treatment, and more.

Can leg massage help tone up my legs?

Feb 27, 2022 · Treatments for leg numbness will depend on the cause and symptoms. For example, if a leg numb occurs due to spinal stenosis , treatment options may include physical therapy such as massage, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications, or surgery.

What could cause sudden numbness in left leg?

Apr 23, 2021 · Dr. Alfonso‘s Neuropathy Treatment Protocol is a highly effective treatment that has successfully helped many patients seeking treatment for numbness in feet without medications, shots, or surgery. Dr. Alfonso‘s Neuropathy Treatment Protocol combines multiple specialized treatments developed to improve the supply of oxygen, remove waste, increase …

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What is the best remedy for numbness?

Home remedies that can help relieve uncomfortable numbness include:
  • limit repetitive hand or wrist movements.
  • eat foods rich in vitamin B12, vitamin D, calcium, and magnesium or take supplements.
  • treat back pain early and limit activities that make the pain worse.
  • receive psychotherapy.
  • stress management.

How do doctors treat numbness?

Care and Treatment

Some common treatments for numbness include: Nerve pain medications. Controlling blood sugar in people with diabetes. Physical therapy exercises to strengthen the spine or help ease movement.
Jan 29, 2019

Does leg numbness go away?

Once you move your leg, the numbness should go away. You can prevent paresthesia if you change your sitting positions often and try not to cross your legs for too long.May 15, 2021

Is leg numbness serious?

In almost all cases, you should see a doctor if you have persistent or frequent numbness anywhere on your body. If the numbness won't go away on its own or seems to come back again and again, it could be a sign that you're dealing with something more serious than a limb that's “fallen asleep.”

What vitamins help with nerve damage?

B Vitamins

Vitamins B-1, B-6, and B-12 have been found to be especially beneficial for treating neuropathy. Vitamin B-1, also known as thiamine, helps to reduce pain and inflammation and vitamin B-6 preserves the covering on nerve endings.

Can nerve damage be repaired?

Sometimes a section of a nerve is cut completely or damaged beyond repair. Your surgeon can remove the damaged section and reconnect healthy nerve ends (nerve repair) or implant a piece of nerve from another part of your body (nerve graft). These procedures can help your nerves to regrow.Apr 17, 2020

What is the reason for numbness in legs?

Postural habits that put pressure on nerves or reduce blood flow in the lower limbs are the most common cause of temporary numbness in the legs and feet. Many people say their leg has “fallen asleep,” and the medical term is transient (temporary) paresthesia.

What kind of doctor treats numbness in legs?

Numbness or tingling can happen for many different reasons, some as simple as sitting in a way that cuts off your blood circulation or having not eaten. However, if this numbness continues, comes on suddenly, or only happens on one side of the body, it may be time to see a neurologist.

Should I go to the hospital if my leg is numb?

Go to a hospital or call your local emergency number (such as 911) if: You have weakness or are unable to move, along with numbness or tingling. Numbness or tingling occur just after a head, neck, or back injury. You cannot control the movement of an arm or a leg, or you have lost bladder or bowel control.

Does numbness go away?

If you've noticed numbness in your fingers, there are a lot of possible causes. Injured or pinched nerves can lead to numb fingers. So can blood flow issues or a range of other medical conditions. The feeling can be harmless and go away on its own.May 20, 2021

Can high blood pressure cause numbness in legs?

7 Signs of High Blood Pressure to Look for in Legs and Feet

Burning sensation in feet (due to weakened pulse) Hair loss on the legs and feet. Numbness and tingling in feet. Cramping after exercising.
Oct 24, 2019

When should I see a doctor for leg numbness?

However, you should consult your doctor if there's no obvious cause for continuing numbness and tingling, you feel dizzy or have muscle spasms, or you have a rash. Tell your doctor if the symptoms in your legs worsen when you walk or if you're urinating more frequently than usual.

What Are The Causes of Leg Numbness?

The sensation of tingling or numbness in one leg, or both, results from a compression of the blood flow or to a nerve. This damage can be caused by...

Symptoms Associated With Leg Numbness

The numbness felt in your leg may be a symptom alone, or accompanied by other sensations and symptoms. This is evident with a back injury caused by...

Leg Numbness and Fibromyalgia

Leg numbness is a common symptom among patients with fibromyalgia, a muscle and soft tissue disorder. The numbness is a mild factor in comparison t...

Treatment For Numbness – Top 10 Home Remedies

If your numbness of legs is not caused by a serious health condition for which you require treatment, there are some great home remedies that you m...

Dietary Changes to Prevent Numbness in Legs

In addition to changing daily lifestyle habits and adding essential nutrients, you may also want to try some foods that could prevent bouts of numb...

What to do if your feet are numb?

1. Call your local emergency number if you have more serious symptoms. Numbness in legs and feet is relatively common and usually has a fairly simple cause. However, this numbness occasionally is a sign that you have a more serious health problem, such as a stroke, that calls for immediate treatment.

How to get rid of numbness in feet?

1. Use the process of elimination to determine the cause of the numbness. Numbness in the legs and feet potentially has many different causes. The more of these causes you can eliminate, the more efficiently you'll be able to treat your numbness.

What causes numbness in the arms and legs?

Take vitamin supplements if you have a vitamin deficiency. Vitamin deficiencies frequently cause numbness, particularly in your arms, hands, legs, and feet. B-complex vitamin deficiencies can cause numbness or an unsteady gait, also known as ataxia. Potassium, calcium, and sodium deficiencies can also cause numbness.

How long does it take for a numbness to go away?

Usually, you can take care of simple numbness like this on your own and restore feeling within a few minutes. However, if you can't determine the reason for your numbness, or if the numbness persists for more than an hour, call your doctor so they can help determine the cause and treat your numbness appropriately.

Why do my legs go numb?

If you have a chronic back injury, or recently had an acute back injury, that can cause numbness in your legs and feet.

What to do when you are sitting with your legs crossed?

On the other hand, if you were sitting on your feet, releasing them and moving them around might be all you need to do to restore feeling.

How to check for nerve damage?

Try nerve conduction tests to check for nerve damage. With a nerve conduction test, adhesive patches with electrodes are attached to different parts of your legs. Each patch stimulates the nerve beneath it and your doctor evaluates the muscle's response. While this test may cause some discomfort, you typically won't feel any pain afterward. [11]

How to help numb feet and legs?

Ice can help reduce swelling that can put pressure on nerves. Apply cold compresses or wrapped icepacks to numb legs and feet for 15 minutes at a time several times daily .

What does it mean when your legs are numb?

Sciatica is the name for irritation of the sciatic nerve, which runs from the lower back to the legs. If this nerve becomes irritated or compressed, a person may experience numbness or tingling in their legs or feet.

What causes numbness in the legs and feet?

Some people with diabetes develop a type of nerve damage called diabetic neuropathy. Diabetic neuropathy can cause numbness, tingling, and pain in the feet, and if severe, the legs as well.

Why do my feet feel numb?

A person may feel numbness in their legs and feet due to sitting in a position that puts too much pressure on the nerves or reduces blood flow. However, long-lasting or unexplained numbness may be a sign of an underlying medical condition. Long-term numbness or a tingling feeling in the legs and feet may be due to conditions such as multiple ...

How long does restless leg syndrome last?

restless leg syndrome. Almost everyone with fibromyalgia experiences symptoms in more than one part of their body for at least 3 months at a time. If numbness in the legs and feet is not accompanied by any other symptoms or is not long-term, it is unlikely to be caused by fibromyalgia.

What is the name of the nerve that runs down the back of the leg and along the inside of the ankle and into

Tarsal tunnel syndrome. Tarsal tunnel syndrome occurs when a nerve that runs down the back of the leg and along the inside of the ankle and into the foot is compressed, squeezed, or damaged. The tarsal tunnel is a narrow space on the inside of the ankle.

How to get blood flow to lower legs?

Massaging numb legs and feet helps improve blood flow and may reduce symptoms. Exercise. A lack of proper exercise can weaken the heart and blood vessels, reducing their ability to pump blood to the lower limbs.

What to do if your leg is numb?

If you experience leg numbness with loss of bladder or bowel control, paralysis, confusion, weakness in the leg, or slurred speech, seek immediate medical attention in an emergency facility. If your leg numbness is persistent, recurrent, or causes you concern, contact a medical professional.

What causes numbness in the legs?

Leg numbness can occur with moderate to serious orthopedic conditions that can lead to spinal or peripheral nerve damage. More serious conditions include multiple sclerosis.

What is the difference between paralysis and numbness?

Whereas leg numbness is a loss of sensation, paralysis involves a loss of movement, with or without the loss of sensation in the area. Depending on the cause, the loss of sensation can disappear quickly, such as numbness in the buttocks and legs after sitting with your legs crossed for a long time. Numbness can occur suddenly or progress slowly.

Why do my legs go numb?

Numbness in the legs may also extend to your toes. Leg numbness is usually due to a lack of blood supply to an area or nerve damage . Leg numbness can also result from infection, inflammation, trauma, and other abnormal processes. Most cases of leg numbness are not due to life-threatening disorders, but it does occur with stroke and tumors.

Can a stroke cause numbness in the leg?

Most cases of leg numbness are not due to life-threatening disorders, but it does occur with stroke and tumors. Leg numbness is often associated with or preceded by pain-like pins-and-needles, prickling, or burning sensations called paresthesias. Whereas leg numbness is a loss of sensation, paralysis involves a loss of movement, ...

Why do my legs go numb?

If an assessment of your condition suggests peripheral artery disease is the cause of persistent leg numb ness and cramping, then you may want to consider a procedure to open the arteries in your legs. The specific procedure used depends on the level, extent and type of blockage.

What is the cause of a narrowed leg?

Peripheral artery disease affects the arteries that supply oxygen and nutrients to your leg muscles. Peripheral artery disease happens when plaque builds up in those arteries, narrowing them and sometimes blocking them completely. When arteries are narrowed or blocked, the oxygen and nutrients in your blood can’t get to your tissues and muscles easily.

What is the treatment for peripheral artery disease?

If peripheral artery disease is the cause, look into additional treatment. That treatment could include a procedure to open the arteries, such as stenting. But other options are available, too. Peripheral artery disease affects the arteries that supply oxygen and nutrients to your leg muscles.

How to open a leg artery?

The specific procedure used depends on the level, extent and type of blockage. In some cases, a stent — a small mesh framework — is placed in an artery to keep it open. A small balloon also can be inflated within an artery to reopen it and flatten the blockage against the artery wall. Another alternative is to remove the plaque using a procedure called atherectomy.

Can a graft bypass be done in your leg?

In severe cases of peripheral artery disease, your doctor may recommend a procedure to bypass the artery affected by peripheral artery disease. A graft bypass created using a blood vessel from another part of your body or using a blood vessel made of synthetic fabric can be placed in your leg.

What is the best treatment for numbness?

Some common treatments for numbness include: Nerve pain medications. Controlling blood sugar in people with diabetes.

How to diagnose numbness?

Doctors diagnose numbness based on your symptoms, medical history and a physical exam (testing touch, temperature, reflexes and muscle function). Your doctor will ask you about the affected body part (s) and to describe the numbness. Other questions will include when the numbness started, how quickly the numbness began, the events or activities you were engaged in around the time the numbness began, and if you have any other symptoms. Answers to these questions helps your doctor determine the cause of the numbness.

What tests are used to determine if a nerve is a herniated disc?

Tests such as X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs allow doctors to look for issues affecting the nerves and spinal cord, such as a herniated disc or a tumor or to look at the brain for signs of stroke, multiple sclerosis, tumors, and other brain disorders. Nerve conduction studies.

What does it mean when you feel numb?

Numbness is a loss of feeling or sensation in an area of the body. It can be complete or partial. It is usually a sign of a problem with nerves in the body, although it is a common symptom of many different medical conditions. Most cases of numbness are not serious. In more severe cases, it causes complications related to not feeling pain ...

What tests can be done to determine if you have numbness?

Tests to identify the disorder causing numbness include: Blood tests. A doctor takes a sample of blood to look for signs of conditions including diabetes, kidney disorders and vitamin deficiencies. Imaging tests.

Where does numbness come from?

Numbness comes on suddenly. Numbness occurs in the “saddle area” (thighs, buttocks, genitals) Numbness affects an entire arm, entire leg, or one entire side of the body. Numbness occurs below a certain level in the body (for example, below the chest) Numbness or weakness quickly spreads to other areas of the body.

Is numbness a sign of diabetes?

In more severe cases, it causes complications related to not feeling pain (for example, causing burns if unable to feel the pain from high heat) or being unaware of what’s happening to parts of the body (for example, falling if unable to feel the position of one’s feet). It can also be a sign of a serious underlying condition such as diabetes or multiple sclerosis.

How to treat numbness in leg?

This is a mild condition that is often treated with proper stretching and rest. If your discomfort continues for more than a few days, consider limiting your physical activity until your leg heals. If your leg pain and numbness is accompanied with worsening symptoms, seek medical attention.

What to do if your thigh is numb?

Severe cases of thigh numbness may require surgery and physical therapy to improve your mobility. If your symptoms have spread to a larger portion of your leg or body, your doctor may suggest surgery to remove what is obstructing or compressing your nerve. Before pursuing any treatment, discuss your options with your doctor.

How to treat meralgia paresthetica?

Meralgia paresthetica can often be treated with small lifestyle changes. In more serious cases, your doctor may suggest medication. Surgery is rare, but may be the primary course of treatment if you experience long-lasting symptoms that exceed a few months.

Why do my legs go numb?

Femoral nerve dysfunction causes you to lose sensation or movement in your legs from damage to your femoral nerve. This nerve provides sensation to the front of your thigh and a portion of your lower leg. Damage or trauma to this nerve may cause you to experience numbness in your thigh, along with your knee and leg.

Why does my thigh feel numb?

Meralgia paresthetica is a common cause of thigh numbness. This condition causes tingling and numbness in your outer thigh. Meralgia pare sthetica occurs when the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve — responsible for supplying sensation to the skin surface of your outer thigh — becomes compressed.

What causes numbness in the thigh?

Meralgia paresthetica is a common cause of thigh numbness. This condition causes tingling and numbness in your outer thigh. Meralgia paresthetica occurs when the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve — responsible for supplying sensation to the skin surface of your outer thigh — becomes compressed. Factors that may contribute to this condition include: 1 wearing tight clothes 2 pregnancy 3 obesity 4 trauma 5 disease

What does it mean when your thigh goes numb?

The primary symptom of thigh numbness is the loss of sensation in your thigh. Your loss of sensation may also affect muscle function in your leg. Other than numbness, other symptoms you may experience include:

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Associated Symptoms

  1. Use the process of elimination to determine the cause of the numbness. Numbness in the legs and feet potentially has many different causes. The more of these causes you can eliminate, the more efficiently you'll be able to treat your numbness.[2] X Research source For example, if you were sitting with your legs crossed, you might uncross them or stretch them out. On the …
  2. Massage your legs and feet to increase blood flow. Gently rub the numb parts of your legs an…
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Common Causes

Diagnosis

  • If you’re experiencing leg tingling and numbness, it may be accompanied by other symptoms, including:2 1. Aches and pains in the affected leg 2. Anxiety 3. Back pain that may or may not shoot down the leg 4. Burning sensation in the leg 5. Crawling feeling under the skin 6. Itchiness 7. Muscle spasms 8. Sensitivity to touch 9. Trouble sitting upright or standing 10. Weakness of t…
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Treatment

  • There are many potential causes of leg numbness and tingling. Sitting or standing in one position for a long time can temporarily cause this sensation, due to compression of nerves or lack of blood flow. Once you move, the sensation typically goes away. Leg numbness and tingling can also be a symptom of a wide range of health conditions that cause injury to the nerves or restric…
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When to Seek Medical Help

  • Everyone experiences the feeling of numbness or tingling in their legs from time to time. Chances are you’ve felt it when you’ve been sitting in one position for a long time and felt better once you moved around. However, leg numbness and tingling can be a sign of a serious disease in some cases. If you’re experiencing ongoing or frequent episodes of leg numbness and tingling, make a…
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Summary

  • There are many causes of leg numbness and tingling, and your treatment will depend on the cause of your symptoms. If your symptoms are caused by a chronic health condition, treatment will focus on reducing symptoms and slowing disease activity. If your symptoms are caused by an acute (severe and sudden onset) condition or injury, treatment will foc...
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A Word from Verywell

  • In some cases, feelings of numbness and tingling in the leg can indicate a serious medical condition or injury. Talk with your healthcare provider about numbness and tingling if:3 1. It lasts for long periods of time or occurs frequently. 2. It is accompanied by other symptoms . 3. It is accompanied by changes in the color, shape, or temperature of your leg. 4. There is no obvious …
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