My friend gets numb legs whilst running??

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TravelBear87
TravelBear87 Posts: 98 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Hey everyone,

I'm posting on behalf of a friend that I run with. She gets numb lower legs when she runs particularly in the calf muscles.

Does anyone else experience this and if so, do you know the cause/tips to help?

Thanks in advance!

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  • lorrpb
    lorrpb Posts: 11,464 Member
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    Not a lot of info here, but it could be the shoes. When does it start? When does it stop? Is there any pain? How long has it been happening? Has she been properly fitted for running shoes? How far/often goes she run? What is her warmup routine? Any other foot problems? Has she seen a doctor? Lots of things to consider.
  • spondypete
    spondypete Posts: 24 Member
    edited August 2016
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    Your friend could have neuropathy, like I have, or she might have a blocked artery in her leg which restricts the circulation of blood in her lower leg. I have this problem when I walk and it's due to neuropathy caused by diabetes. There are some meds for this, but my experience is that the benefits are pretty limited. My legs get numb from the knees down.

    I hope for your friend that she has neither of the 2 things I mentioned and it's something innocent.
  • TravelBear87
    TravelBear87 Posts: 98 Member
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    She doesn't run so often, maybe 3 times a week and 3 miles a run. The numbness will start up pretty much a few minutes in to it and can last the whole run.

    Yes she has been fitted with proper running shoes at a running shop.

    Warm up is our first mile really, which is a steady jog, nothing fast but we also run at a steady pace so we don't go crazy if that makes sense. It's been happening for the last week but it has happened occasionally in the past.

    No doctor yet but I think she will go if it continues.

    I just wondered if anyone has had a similar experience and if they discovered the problem.

    Thanks in advance
  • lorrpb
    lorrpb Posts: 11,464 Member
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    No I haven't had this. Try a dynamic warmup of squats, lunges, calf raises etc. definitely see doc if it lasts more than s couple of weeks.
  • Cherimoose
    Cherimoose Posts: 5,209 Member
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    One possibility is nerve compression due to swelling, like with compartment syndrome. I would start with a visit to a general physician. There's a good chance they will refer her to a specialist for more testing.
    In the mean time, ask her to stretch her calves for 30+ seconds every hour, and before running too. Let us know if it helps. :+1:

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