Numbness of the legs is very common, and it can sometimes cause you embarrassment, discomfort, and even pain
Numbness in your legs and feet can cause discomfort and embarrassment, but it is not usually a cause for concern. If you sit or stand in the same position for an extended period of time, you may find that you lose sensation in one or both of your legs. Usually, you can take care of a minor numbness like this on your own and regain the feeling within a few minutes. Therefore, in this article, we will review some simple methods that quickly treat numbness.
1. Determine the cause of the numbness
Numbness in the legs and feet may have different causes. The more you get rid of these causes, the more effectively you will be able to treat numbness. For example, if you are sitting with your legs crossed, you can loosen or extend them. On the other hand, if you are sitting on your feet, releasing and moving them may be all you need to do to regain feeling. If you have a chronic back injury, or have recently had an acute back injury, this may cause numbness in your legs and feet.
2. Massage your legs and feet well to increase blood flow
Gently rub the anesthetic parts of your legs and feet in a circular motion. Adding some pressure and doing a kneading motion may also help. Take care not to massage too deeply. You might accidentally bump yourself up because without feeling your leg or foot, you won't be able to tell when the stress was severe.
3. Wear loose-fitting or less restrictive clothing
If you wear tight clothing, this may restrict blood circulation in your legs and feet. Likewise, if your shoes are too tight, it may numb your feet. If you wear socks, check the upper seam to see if it is too tight. If it causes a gap in your skin, it may cut off blood flow to the ankles and feet.
4. Change your body position frequently
Your legs and feet will feel numb if you sit or stand in the same position for too long, especially if you are sitting with your legs crossed or your feet under you. Moving your weight and moving it often encourages blood circulation. In general, it is best to change the position before your legs and feet begin to be numb. You will be more comfortable and won't have to deal with the pain and frustration of waiting for your legs or feet to loosen up.
5. Take a vitamin supplement if you have a vitamin deficiency
Vitamin deficiency often causes numbness, especially in your arms, hands, legs, and feet. Vitamin B deficiency can cause numbness or an unsteady gait, also known as ataxia. Potassium, calcium, and sodium deficiency can also cause numbness. You usually won't have a (B-12) deficiency unless you have an underlying condition or have cut back on it for a few years.
If you don't already take a multivitamin every day, you can usually add one to your daily routine without any complications and see if that really helps. However, if you are taking other medications or supplements, you may want to ask your doctor before starting. If you are already taking a multivitamin, the vitamin deficiency is unlikely to be the cause of your numbness. However, you can ask your doctor to measure the levels of vitamins in your blood to be sure.
6. Exercise and lose weight
If you suffer from obesity, you should follow a healthy diet and do some exercises that reduce weight, because obesity reduces blood circulation in the legs and feet, which leads to a feeling of numbness. Additionally, if you have diabetes, obesity increases your risk of developing diabetic neuropathy, which can cause numbness in your legs and feet.
7. Create a smoking cessation plan
If you smoke. Smoking narrows and hardens the arteries, which may reduce blood flow to your legs and feet, leading to numbness. Therefore, try to quit smoking gradually.
8. Try alternative treatments to improve blood circulation
Alternative treatments, such as acupuncture and massage therapy, may reduce your numbness by improving blood circulation in your legs and feet.