If you work a desk job you might have observed lower body numbness. This is very common, especially because when you are stuck at work for 9 hours you need to sit down on a chair. Although most people walk or take stairs majority of the building has elevators and lifts. As a result, people do not walk so much and the blood circulation in their lower body is not regulated properly. Eventually, this leads to numbness which is also called pins needles. During numbness, you will feel an immediate loss of sensation in your lower limbs followed by feeling cold in your limbs. Usually, people report numbness when they have been sitting at the same place for a very long time. This issue is also known by the name of paresthesia.
With the help of this article, we will explore some of the main reasons this numbness occurs as well as how to avoid it. We will also look at some of the basic exercises and stretches that you can use for getting rid of this issue. Our focus will be on simple exercises that you can perform while you are sitting down on your office chair.
Table of Contents
Why Does It Happen?
Numbness or loss of temporary sensation is pretty common and it usually represents that your posture is not right. Sometimes when nerves get pressed in one way or the other, they get agitated, as a result, they start sending more signals than usual. In case you are sitting cross-legged and you have pressed some nerve, this pressure on the nerve can cause a simple blockage. Due to this, oxygen and energy might not pass through and this can block the sensation of feeling in that area. Temporary paresthesia is a very common condition and it can happen at any point. Most people think it is just because of bad posture, however, the fact is that it can happen even when you are sleeping. There is no hard and fast rule. However, you need to focus on your diet as well because sometimes it can be a symptom of some serious disease. The best way to resolve this issue is to move your limb right away or to change the position. However, removing the pressure from your limb can give your instant relief. In case you keep experiencing this issue, it might be an indicator of some serious illness.
How Prevent Lower Body Numbness?
Although there is no hard and fast rule, you can keep in mind that a healthy lifestyle will help you allow your body to fuel up and rest easily. Some of the main remedies that you can try include:
- Try massage therapy to improve the sensation in your limbs
- Try yoga and meditation to improve blood flow
- Avoid extremely hot or cold conditions
- Choose comfortable shoes or try to avoid wearing shoes when you are working
- Rest properly and take at least 8 hours of sleep
Simple Stretching Exercise to Try
- When you sit in the same place usually body loses sensation. However, you can start by stretching.
- Start by extending your both legs and then hold this position for at least a few seconds.
- After a few seconds, bend it back and repeat it for at least a few minutes.
- Now move your legs from side to side and then extend one leg at a time.
- Now move from your seat and walk for at least five minutes. If you have stairs in your office take stairs and then get back to your chair.
- Now keep one leg straight on your chair while the other leg will be holding your weight. Try to extend your head and touch your knee. You can hold this pose for at least a few minutes and then let go. Try the same with the other leg.
- Another very simple exercise is to stand still with both hands extended straight up. Now, bend down and touch your feet without bending your knee. Hold this pose for at least a few seconds and then repeat.
Take Away
Losing sensation for some seconds is very common, so next time you feel like you have numbness in your limbs wiggle your limbs and change posture right away. This will give your instant relief, however, sometimes blood circulation gets difficult and you might even face issues due to that, however, these are simple yoga exercises and changes in the diet that can help you thin down your blood and it can ease the circulation. Apart from this, if the numbing sensation persists or if you feel it is getting very common, this might be an indicator for an underlying disease. The place of losing sensation also plays a very significant role. Apart from this, how often you feel the numbness and how easily you regain the sensation are a few of the most important questions that you must address. In case the issue gets worse, you need to get to the doctor because this can be a symptom of some nervous system-related issue as well.