What Are the Causes of Feet & Leg Tingling?

Tingling and numbness, sometimes identified as a "pins and needles" sensation, can occur anywhere in the body, but often appears in the legs and feet. The tingling is an abnormal sensation that is a sign the area is suffering from poor blood flow or isn't fully receiving nerve signals.

Types

There are several causes of tingling in the feet and legs, including sitting or standing too long, sitting with crossed legs, a pinched nerve, a herniated spinal disc, lack of blood supply from a blockage or from a condition like frostbite.

Features

The herpes zoster virus, which causes chicken pox and shingles, can produce tingling or numbness in the legs and feet.

Other Causes

More serious causes of tingling can include multiple sclerosis, diabetes, mini-strokes, electrolyte imbalances or Vitamin B-12 deficiency.

Considerations

Scar tissue, tumors and infections can all cause nerve compression that leads to the tingling sensation.

Expert Insight

On the website Chiropractic-Help.com, Dr. Barrie Lewis, a chiropractor with two clinics in the Netherlands, advises that chiropractic care can alleviate many of the causes of tingling in the extremities.

References

• National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus: Numbness and Tingling
• Chiropractic-Help.com: Tingling in Feet and Legs
• HealthHype.com: Leg Numbness, Tingling Feet and Toes

Resources

• Chiropractic-Help.com: Barrie Lewis