Meralgia Paresthetica is a condition that affects the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve, causing pain, numbness, and tingling in the thigh. Or in layman’s terms, it is a pinched nerve in the leg that impacts the thigh. While this could be a passing issue, it can also become a long-term condition that becomes uncomfortable and negatively impacts quality of life. Fortunately, care from a Billings chiropractor can be an effective treatment for Meralgia Paresthetica.
Understanding Meralgia Paresthetica
Any sensation in your body is controlled by a nerve, which carries signals from the body to the brain to create the sensation. In the outer part of the thigh, this nerve is called the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve. When this nerve becomes compressed, pinched, or otherwise compromised, the signals become disrupted and can lead to a variety of symptoms, most commonly numbness, tingling, and burning in the thigh.
Meralgia Paresthetica can occur for a variety of reasons, ranging from mild and temporary to more serious. Common causes include:
- Tight clothing or positions that place pressure on the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve
- Obesity and excess weight that places pressure on the nerve
- Hormonal changes during pregnancy or menopause that cause swelling and place pressure on the nerve
- Any injury or trauma to the hip and thigh
The symptoms of this condition may come and go or be persistent. If they do not resolve completely after changing an external factor like your positioning, you should seek care from a Billings chiropractor to avoid further complications.
How Chiropractic Care Can Help
No matter the cause of your pinched nerve pain, chiropractic care can help. Chiropractors like Dr. Thomas Keogh focus on identifying and resolving the root cause of your pain – not just masking symptoms. When it comes to nerve interference, the issue can often be traced back to a misalignment in the spine that is causing the nerve to become compressed or to compensate for another issue.
Spinal adjustments are the primary way to address this. By gently realigning the spine, a chiropractor can alleviate pressure on the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve and restore proper nerve function in a short period of time. This may be paired with soft tissue therapy like massage to relieve the surrounding muscles and tissues. Not only can this relieve symptoms at the time, but help the body better avoid the same conditions in the future.
Relief for Thigh Nerve Pain
If you’re experiencing the symptoms of Meralgia Paresthetica, it’s essential to seek chiropractic care as soon as possible. At Bare Chiropractic, our team of chiropractors has experience treating Meralgia Paresthetica and can provide safe and effective treatment to alleviate your symptoms.
If you’re in the Billings area and are looking for a chiropractor who specializes in Meralgia Paresthetica, we encourage you to contact us today to schedule an appointment. Our team will work with you to create a personalized treatment plan that addresses your unique needs and helps you overcome Meralgia Paresthetica.
Sources
Houle, S. “Chiropractic management of chronic idiopathic meralgia paresthetica: a case study.” Journal of Chiropractic Medicine, 2012 Mar; 11(1): 36–41. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3315861/
“Meralgia Paresthetica,” National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/meralgia-paresthetica
