What to do if your feet become numb after squatting for a long time

In life, many people may have encountered this phenomenon, that is, they find that their feet become numb after squatting for a long time. In fact, this is a normal phenomenon. Squatting for a long time will compress the nerves and cause local blood circulation problems. Covering up will cause numbness in the feet. Generally, no special treatment is required, but if your feet are numb for no reason, you need to pay attention to it, as it may be a sign of health problems.

Why do my legs go numb after squatting for a long time?

Usually, numbness of the lower limbs is one of the diseases that we often encounter in daily life. Most people would attribute it to reasons such as being blown by the wind, being overworked, or sitting for too long. For most people, leg numbness goes away over time. However, if some friends do not take appropriate measures, the numbness in their lower limbs will not disappear but will become more and more serious.

Who is prone to this phenomenon?

This phenomenon also occurs in normal people, and is more common in the elderly. It usually returns to normal within a few tens of seconds. If the symptoms of dizziness and numbness in the feet persist for a long time after standing up, you should consider that it is caused by insufficient Qi and blood, blocked meridians, and inability of essence to nourish the head.

What are the health risks of leg numbness

1) Cervical spondylosis

Due to stimulation from factors such as cervical vertebrae degeneration, hyperplasia or dislocation, or due to bone spurs at the posterior edge of the vertebral body and the uncinate joint invading the intervertebral foramen, the cervical nerve roots are compressed, causing immobility and numbness of the fingers in the corresponding nerve-controlled areas, accompanied by symptoms such as pain in the shoulder, neck and upper limbs.

2) Lumbar disc herniation

Injuries to the waist such as twisting, spraining, impact, excessive force when lifting heavy objects, overwork, etc. may cause rupture of the intervertebral disc annulus, and the nucleus pulposus tissue may protrude from the ruptured tissue, stimulating or compressing the spinal cord and nerve roots, causing numbness of the lower limbs, accompanied by symptoms such as pain in the back of the thigh.

3) Lower limb arterial occlusive disease

Due to the loss of elasticity and hardening of the arterial walls of the lower limbs, as well as the narrowing and blockage of the lumen, the lower limbs suffer from insufficient blood supply. Generally, the affected limb will feel numbness and pain within 100 meters of walking, and one must stop and rest for a while before continuing to walk. This symptom is called "intermittent claudication."

4) Thromboangiitis obliterans

The lesion is mainly a chronic inflammation of the small and medium-sized arteries and superficial veins in the limbs, which gradually develops into blood clots, causing poor blood flow to the affected limbs, numbness and coldness of the feet, numbness and pain in the calves when walking, and even lameness.

5) Tumor

When a tumor occurs at the apex of the lung, it often compresses the brachial plexus nerves, causing numbness of the upper limb on the same side. If you suffer from uterine cancer, bladder cancer, rectal cancer or prostate cancer, the tumor may compress the local nerves and cause numbness of both lower limbs.

What should I do if my legs are numb?

Change your posture immediately and walk quickly in a small area for a few minutes. If you feel numbness in your left leg, raise your right hand for 10 seconds, then put it down, and repeat three times. If your right leg is numb, raise your left hand and the numbness can be relieved. Change your walking posture, such as walking with your feet turned inside out, so that different muscles are evenly stressed and the numbness can be relieved. Rubbing and applying hot compress to the numb area can also eliminate the numbness.

At ordinary times, whether you are standing or sitting, you should maintain the correct posture. Do not maintain the same posture for too long. It is best to change it every few minutes. Do more leg exercises such as jogging and swimming. In addition, diseases such as bone hyperplasia, lumbar disc herniation, and lumbar muscle strain can also affect the peripheral nerves and cause numbness in the legs and feet. If you often feel numbness in your legs and feet, it is recommended to seek medical attention in time.