Anyone who experiences numbness or tingling in the legs or toes should definitely pay attention to the time and situation of occurrence in order to rule out dangerous diseases. Generally, numbness that is felt in the legs is due to a lack of blood supply. This can happen, for example, after long periods of sitting or lying down, with symptoms disappearing after a few seconds of changing position. However, if chronic numbness exists, it may be due to dangerous infections, inflammation, or cardiovascular disease.
Cause of numbness in the legs
Posture
Everyone is probably familiar with numbness in the legs. For example, anyone who sits with their legs crossed for an extended period of time will experience tingling or numbness after a while.
This is because the blood flow is reduced due to the intense pressure on the nerves. So if the affected person stands up or changes position, the symptoms should disappear again.
Cold and stressful situations
Some people experience tingling or numbness in the legs during cold weather or special stressful situations. When it’s freezing outside, some people who are sensitive to the cold tend to hunch their upper body forward, tense their arms, and stop breathing at the same rhythm. The same can also happen when people have to give a presentation or are in other stressful situations.
If symptoms appear in the legs in such cases, it is usually not a dangerous disease. Normally, one thing helps: regular, concentrated breathing and exercise.
Numbness due to injuries
After an accident or general overloading of the body, the legs may also report with numbness-like symptoms. Especially if the spine (e.g. in the case of a herniated disc), the trunk, the hips, the legs or feet suffer from an injury, this can manifest itself in paralysis in the legs (e.g. in the case of tarsal tunnel syndrome) or feet. In this case, a visit to a physiotherapist is recommended, who – depending on the causes and the physical condition of the affected person – will perform exercises that can reduce or eliminate the symptoms.
Life threatening causes
If numbness in the legs becomes a regular and long-lasting symptom or occurs suddenly – in combination with other impairments such as speech problems – it is urgent to contact a doctor. This helps rule out serious conditions such as multiple sclerosis, stroke, or neurological problems.
Treatment options for non-hazardous diseases
Exercise and relaxation
People who are prone to numbness in the legs should pay special attention to their body and pay special attention to it. Regular exercise gets the cardiovascular system going and helps strengthen blood vessels. Walking, hiking, light workouts at the gym, yoga, or Pilates will promote circulation and help prevent inflammation or pain.
Also, mental training helps to breathe in a concentrated manner and oxygenate the body in a targeted manner to promote good blood circulation.
Massages and baths to reduce numbness
Massages also help with numbness in the legs. In any case, manual grip techniques performed by a physiotherapist, for example, help to relax tense muscles and nerves and improve blood flow.
Warm baths followed by a cold shower or sauna can also promote circulation and reduce symptoms.
Suitable clothing
Completely underestimated is the wearing of appropriate clothing. If you wear shoes that are too tight or inappropriate, you will feel it in your body – short or long. Uncomfortable shoes or clothing that is too tight and restricts breathing can lead to increased pressure on the nerves. Likewise, in winter you should pay attention to warm clothes, because if you freeze too much, you stress the body and make it susceptible to diseases.
Healthy diet
The golden rule for a healthy body is: balanced diet. Those who suffer from numbness should pay special attention to their intake of vitamin B, which is found primarily in fruits and vegetables or whole grain products. It also helps to drink plenty of water or turn to tea. Excessive consumption of alcohol or nicotine should be avoided at all costs.
Treat your body with care and make sure that when numbness occurs, it is not a serious condition. Should the diagnosis be of a harmless nature, it is important to take good care of and treat the sensitive body to eliminate the symptoms.