Why Have My Feet Started to Feel Numb on Occasion?

Have you ever stood up after sitting or lying down and noticed that your lower legs and feet felt numb or tingly? This feeling is a common issue often attributed to a limb “falling asleep,” but if it happens frequently, an underlying medical condition like peripheral neuropathy could be the cause.

At Palm Beach Pain Institute in Delray Beach, Florida, board-certified pain management physician Marcie Merson, MD, and our team have years of experience treating peripheral neuropathy. Read on to learn why peripheral neuropathy occurs and how to spot the symptoms early, so you can take steps to keep it from getting worse.

What is peripheral neuropathy?

Peripheral neuropathy is an umbrella term for several conditions that damage your peripheral nervous system, or the nerves outside your brain and spinal cord. This damage can occur anywhere in your body, but it most commonly affects the arms, legs, hands, and feet.

Your peripheral nerves transmit signals between your brain, spinal cord, and the rest of your body, controlling sensation and movement.  When these nerves become damaged, it can lead to various sensory symptoms, including tingling, burning, numbness, or a “pins and needles” feeling. At first, you might notice these symptoms in only one foot, but as the condition worsens, it often extends into both feet.

What causes peripheral neuropathy?

Peripheral neuropathy occurs for various reasons, but it’s most commonly caused by poorly managed diabetes. When your blood sugar levels remain too high for too long, the small blood vessels that supply your nerves with oxygen and nutrients can become damaged, affecting their ability to transmit signals to and from your brain.

Other factors that increase the risk of peripheral neuropathy include:

• Alcohol use disorder
• Vitamin and nutrient deficiencies
• Autoimmune and inflammatory conditions, like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus
• Certain medications
• Infections
• Vascular disorders

Regardless of the cause, peripheral neuropathy requires professional treatment. If you suspect you’re at risk, contact us right away. 

When to be concerned about foot numbness

Occasional foot numbness doesn’t mean you have peripheral neuropathy. Often, it’s due to sitting too long in one position or wearing tight shoes that cut off circulation. However, if you notice that the numbness becomes increasingly frequent, spreads to both feet, or occurs alongside other symptoms, such as balance issues or pain, identifying the cause is essential. 

A physical exam, lab testing, and nerve conduction study can help assess the health of your peripheral nerves and determine the best course of treatment.

How to treat foot numbness

At Palm Beach Pain Institute, we take an integrative, conservative approach to treating peripheral neuropathy. Whenever possible, we recommend non- or minimally invasive treatments that protect the peripheral nerves and support their function. We may suggest:

• Prescription medication to help manage uncomfortable symptoms
• Physical therapy to improve your balance and mobility
• Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)
• Acupuncture

Alongside healthy lifestyle changes, like an improved diet and regular exercise, we can help slow the progression of peripheral neuropathy so you can live your best life.

Request peripheral neuropathy treatment

If one or both of your feet regularly feel numb or tingly, you must identify the underlying cause. To schedule peripheral neuropathy testing, request an appointment by calling our office today at 561-499-7020 or using the online booking tool.