Why Feet Go Numb At Night & How To Relieve It

Numbness in the feet that arrives at night disturbs sleep and is often dismissed as ordinary. In most cases it is indeed harmless, but a few situations do need checking.

What causes numb feet at night?

1. Sleeping position. Lying with legs crossed or one on top of the other presses a nerve and restricts blood flow.
2. Slow blood circulation. More noticeable in people who move little or sit all day.
3. Standing or walking too long. Tight calf muscles press on the nerve running through them.
4. Vitamin B12 deficiency. Can cause tingling in the hands and feet.
5. Diabetes. Long periods of high blood sugar damage the nerves in the feet.

How can it be relieved at home?

Soak the feet in warm water for ten minutes, dry them, then apply a warming massage oil to the soles, ankles and calves. Massage upwards following the flow of blood for five to ten minutes. Minyak Tapil Cap Wanita is commonly used for this because its warmth helps the calf muscle relax.

Besides massage, also try:

• Raising the feet on a pillow while sleeping.
• Avoiding sleeping with legs crossed.
• Stretching the calves before getting into bed.
• Reducing static standing beyond two hours at a stretch.

Numbness differs from cramping. If your calf muscle hardens suddenly and painfully at night, that is a leg cramp at night — a different cause.

When should numb feet be checked by a doctor?

Get it checked if the numbness happens every night for more than two weeks, comes with muscle weakness, occurs on one leg only, or you have diabetes. Persistent numbness can signal a nerve problem that needs treatment, and massage oil does not treat that cause.