Leg numbness can come on suddenly or develop over time, or from an illness or injury. In any case, leg numbness and peripheral neuropathy are distressing complaints that can lead to significant disability. As conventional treatment often involves learning to live with numbness and, in some cases, preventing it from getting worse, more people are seeking acupuncture for leg numbness and neuropathy. In Glenview, IL, Dr. Vadim Dekhtyar, DACM, is a popular choice.
Causes of Numbness and Tingling in the Legs
Numbness and tingling in your legs can be caused by injuries that damage the sensory nerves. This includes surgery if a nerve is accidentally damaged.
As for illnesses, diabetic neuropathy is a common cause of numbness and tingling, which often appears in the toes and feet. Infectious diseases that affect the nerves, such as shingles; lupus; some chemotherapy drugs; alcohol; and nutritional deficiencies are other causes. Folate, vitamin B12, and vitamin E deficiency are the most common nutritional triggers of neuropathy.
Can Acupuncture Help Leg Numbness?
Acupuncture may be an effective treatment for numbness and other types of neuropathy in your legs and feet.
These benefits seem to be the strongest in cases of injury and diabetes. For example, one case study on a woman with leg numbness after surgery found that a course of five acupuncture treatments (alongside other Chinese therapies) restored her mobility, eliminated pain, and significantly relieved numbness.
A trial of acupuncture for chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy also demonstrated great benefit. Here, pain levels fell from as high as 8-9/10 to just 2-3/10, and patients found they were able to walk more steadily, button their shirts, and regain other lost abilities.
What’s more, a review of clinical trials on acupuncture for diabetic neuropathy shows that it can relieve pain and restore healthy sensory function. Some show increased nerve conduction velocity too, which is a more objective test.
What to Expect During Acupuncture for Leg Numbness
A course of acupuncture treatments for leg numbness involves a detailed case of how your condition developed, and what may worsen or relieve it. Sessions may be once or even twice weekly for up to several months to promote optimal healing.
If leg numbness and tingling are your main issues, you can expect to have acupuncture points around the affected area treated. This can cause muscle relaxation and encourage blood flow alongside local tissue repair responses.
Benefits of Acupuncture for Neuropathy
Acupuncture appears to provide pain relief as one of its first benefits, thanks to its potential to regulate nervous system function. It may relieve inflammation and promote circulation, which increases nutrient supply while removing waste products. Better yet, its ability to promote healthy nerve cell function and boost repair of damaged nerves can resolve numbness over time.
At Life Balance Clinic, you can be assured of a high level of skill and experience. Dr. Vadim Dekhtyar, DACM has over 30 years of experience in Chinese medicine, with board certification and a position as a professor of neuroscience. To make an appointment or learn more, call (847) 724-1777 or fill out a contact form to the right.