Introduction
Numbness in the foot may be a temporary condition or it can be the result of a chronic condition, such as diabetes. The symptom can also be progressive. In the beginning, the person starts to lose some sensation in the foot then slowly lose more and more feeling as time goes on. Feet rely on a sense of touch to pull away from hot surfaces and to navigate changing terrain. But if the person experiences numbness in the foot, there may be little to no sensation in the foot.
Signs & symptoms
- losing sensation in the foot, affecting balance and levelling while walking or wearing footwear
- pricking
- pins-and-needles sensation
- tingling
- weak-feeling foot or feet
- burning
- tickling
- itching
- a crawling feeling under the skin
Causes
Normally numbness in the foot happens after prolonged episodes of sitting. This sensation loss occurs because the nerves that lead to the foot are compressed in that position. When the person gets up and blood flow returns, the foot may feel as if it’s numb. A pins-and-needles feeling usually follows before circulation and sensation return to the foot.
But persistent or recurrent numbness in feet develops due to damage, a blockage, infection, or compression of a nerve that travels to the foot.
Medical conditions that can cause numbness in the foot include:
Alcoholism
Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease
Diabetes or diabetic neuropathy
Frostbite
Guillain-Barre syndrome
Herniated disc
Lyme disease
Morton’s neuroma
Multiple sclerosis
Peripheral vascular disease
Sciatica
Shingles
Side effect of chemotherapy
Spinal cord injury
Vasculitis
Injury
Tarsal tunnel syndrome
Tumours or other abnormal growths which put pressure on the brain, spinal cord, or any part of the legs and feet. This pressure can restrict blood flow to the legs and feet, causing numbness.
Fibromyalgia
Stokes and mini-strokes
Pathophysiology
Sensory processing areas within the brain connect with cranial nerves or spinal cord sensory pathways. Sensory fibres exiting the spinal cord join just outside the cord to form dorsal nerve roots except for C1. These 30 dorsal sensory roots join with corresponding motor ventral roots to form spinal nerves. Branches of the cervical and lumbosacral spinal nerves join more distally to form plexuses and then branch into nerve trunks. The intercostal nerves do not form plexuses; these nerves correspond to their segment of origin in the spinal cord. The term peripheral nerve refers to the part of the nerve distal to the nerve root and plexus.
Spinal nerve
Nerve roots from the most distal spinal cord segments descend within the spinal column below the end of the spinal cord, forming the cauda equina. The cauda equina supplies sensation to the legs, pubic, perineal, and sacral areas (saddle area).
The spinal cord is divided into functional segments (levels) that correspond approximately to the attachments of the pairs of spinal nerve roots. The area of skin supplied mostly by a particular spinal nerve is the dermatome corresponding to that spinal segment.
Sensory dermatomes
Numbness can occur from dysfunction anywhere along the pathway from the sensory receptors up to and including the cerebral cortex. Persistent or recurrent numbness in feet develops due to damage, a blockage, infection, or compression of a nerve that travels to the foot. The area of numbness corresponds to the dermatome and supplying nerve anatomically.
Diagnosis
Diagnosing foot numbness depends upon how severity of symptoms and associated disorders.
CT scan
Electromyography
MRI
Nerve conduction studies
Additional tests depend upon the suspected diagnosis
Treatments
The proper treatment for numb legs and feet depends entirely on the cause.
Medication
Medical options for long-term numbness in the legs and feet include:
- Antidepressants.
- Corticosteroids.
- Gabapentin and pregabalin.
Some alternative therapies have been shown to help reduce the symptoms of conditions known to cause numbness in the legs and feet. Therapies include:
- massage
- reflexology
- acupuncture
- biofeedback
- hydrotherapy
- mindfulness meditation
- vitamin B supplementation (especially B-3, B-6, and B-12)
Prognosis
Numbness in the legs and feet is a common disorder, though when it becomes chronic, it may be a sign of an underlying medical condition. An unexplained, persistent, frequent, painful, disabling numbness in feet accompanied by other chronic symptoms can be a sign of a serious health issue with a poor outcome.
Complications
Complications depend upon the cause of numbness.
In neuropathies, worsening of signs and loss of voluntary movements may develop.
In circulatory deficit, like in diabetes, severe complications like gangrene or frost bite can happen
Disease & Ayurveda
Paadaharsha
Nidana
Causative factors for the vitiation of Kapha and Vaata
Purvaaroopa
Not mentioned
Samprapti
When the vitiated Kapha causes obstruction and Vaata causes degeneration, and both of these get lodged in feet, disease called Paadaharsha manifests.
Lakshana
Numbness and loss of touch sensation of feet
Divisions
Not mentioned
Prognosis
Sadhyam in new and without any complications.
Yaapyam in chronic and complicated cases.
Chikithsa
Samana
Lepanam with Rookshana dravyas
Snehanam
Swedanam
Sodhana
Ashtapanavasti
Anuvasanavasti
Agnikarma
Commonly used medicines
Maharasnadi kashayam
Dhanwantharam Kashayam
Nirgundayadi Kashayam
Rasnadi Kashayam
Chitrakadi Kashayam
Sahacharadi kashayam
Guggulutiktakam ghrutam
Bala Tailam Avarthy
Dhanwantharam Tailam Avarthy
Brands available
AVS Kottakal
AVP Coimbatore
SNA oushadhasala
Vaidyaratnam oushadhasala
Home remedies
Home remedies that may help to relieve uncomfortable numbness in the legs and feet include:
- Rest
- Icepack
- Heat
- Massage
- Exercise
- Supportive devices
- Epsom salt baths
- Mental techniques and stress reduction
- Sleep
- A healthy, balanced diet
- Alcohol reduction or avoidance
Diet
- To be avoided
Heavy meals and difficult to digest foods – cause indigestion.
Junk foods- cause disturbance in digestion and reduces the bioavailability of the medicine
Carbonated drinks – makes the stomach more acidic and disturbed digestion
Refrigerated and frozen foods – causes weak and sluggish digestion by weakening Agni (digestive fire)
Milk and milk products – increase kapha, cause obstruction in channels and obesity
Curd – causes vidaaha and thereby many other diseases
- To be added
Light meals and easily digestible foods
Green gram, soups.
Freshly cooked and warm food processed with cumin seeds, ginger, black pepper, ajwain etc
Behaviour:
Protect yourself from cold climate.
Better to avoid exposure to excessive sunlight wind rain or dust.
Maintain a regular food and sleep schedule.
Avoid holding or forcing the urges like urine, faeces, cough, sneeze etc.
Avoid sedentary lifestyle. Be active.
Yoga
Regular stretching and cardio exercises are advised. Also, specific yogacharya including naadisuddhi pranayama, bhujangaasana, pavanamuktasana is recommended.
Regular exercise helps improve the bioavailability of the medicine and food ingested and leads to positive health.
Yoga can maintain harmony within the body and with the surrounding system.
Pavanamuktasana
Nadisudhi pranayama
Bhujangasana
Simple exercises for lungs and heart health
All the exercises and physical exertions must be decided and done under the supervision of a medical expert only.
Research articles