Meralgia Paresthetica – Upper Thigh Tingling or Numbness
If you often experience pain that leads to tingling or numbness radiating into your upper thigh, you might have meralgia paresthetica. Although this sounds like a very scary condition, it is a complex way of describing the numbing feeling that can occur in your upper thigh. This occurs, because there is much pressure placed upon the long nerve going down your thigh called the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve. This nerve is often referred to as the LFCN; and the pressure on it can result in extreme discomfort for the person, making it difficult to walk or perform daily activities. ¹
What Causes Meralgia Paresthetica?
Although a number of different reasons can cause of Meralgia Paresthetica, the main cause is excess body weight that can press down on the nerve near the beltline causing discomfort. Another reason for the nerve pressure is when, during pregnancy, there is a disproportionate weight that can put pressure on the LFCN. Actually, this condition is found in women significantly more than men and is especially common in those with type II diabetes mellitus. ²
How Can I Help Meralgia Paresthetica?
Some medical experts recommend that those with Meralgia Paresthetica work on losing excess weight, as well as wear looser fitting clothing (particularly pants) to prevent excess tightness on the area. It has been found that certain NSAIDS and pain relievers can help with symptom relief as well. There are certain injections that one can get, but a much less-invasive treatment option is to see a chiropractor. Once diagnosed with Meralgia Paresthetica, a chiropractor could perform a manual adjustment in a similar way that they would to someone suffering from sciatic nerve pain. In many case-studies done, patients were seen to go from a pain scale of 8.5 out of 10, down to 0 after just a few visits to the chiropractor. ³
Why Choose Our Chiropractic Office?
At the Chiropractic Health Center of Bristol, Dr Astrid Baldrich is well versed in the treatment of all kinds of ailments, especially those diagnosed with Meralgia Paresthetica or sciatic nerve pain. After a quick initial exam, our doctors will set up your treatment to get you back on your feet with little to no pain in no time. There are a number of different techniques that will likely be used to get you back to normal.
If you would like to make an appointment, please call us at: 860-583-4346 or fill out the form below and we would be happy to help!
References:
1. NCBI – MERALGIA PARESTHETICA: A REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE
2. Mayo Clinic – Meralgia Paresthetica
3. Chiropractic management of chronic idiopathic meralgia paresthetica: a case study
Dr David M. Spitz is the founder and clinic director of the Chiropractic Health Center of Bristol, located in Bristol, CT. Since 1982, he has treated thousands of patients for various conditions ranging from neck and back pain, to migraine headaches. He specializes in treating patients who have suffered whiplash injuries and/or back injuries in a motor vehicle accident.
Dr Spitz was a volunteer EMT-I and a lieutenant for several years at the Burlington Volunteer Fire Department. He has lectured throughout CT on various topics including, chiropractic, stress management, headaches and preventing back injury in the workplace.
