What You Need to Know
Everyone wants to look their best and ranking high on today’s list of popular fashion choices skinny jeans, shapewear, cinch belts and high heels can be seen everywhere you look. But are clothes and accessories affecting the way we feel in addition to the way we look? Each of the items mentioned here have the potential to bring on a condition known as meralgia parasthetica. Even our beloved cell phones can play a role in our physical health… shove one in the pocket of your favorite pair of tight pants or skinny jeans and your risk for the condition increases even more.
Explaining Meralgia Parasthetica
Sometimes called Bernhardt-Roth syndrome or “tingling thigh syndrome”, meralgia parasthetica is characterized by sensations of tingling (hence the nickname), numbness, a feeling of pins and needles and sometimes pain in the outer thigh. Brought on by compression of the nerve that supplies sensation to the skin surface of the thigh, common causes include wearing tight clothing, weight gain or obesity and repetitive exercises. However, researchers are now finding that some of our modern tech and fashion choices may also be contributing to a rise in cases of meralgia parasthetica.
A Not-So-Rare Condition
Most people think nothing of shoving their wallet or cell phone in a front pocket of their pants but that one small action is a contributor to meralgia parasthetica. For those who wear a tool belt, police officer sidearms or even just donning that pair of skinny jeans, the risk also increases. Why? All of these things put pressure on the lateral fermoral cutaneous nerve. More common than you might think, a 2013 survey of meralgia parasthetica showed roughly 4.3 cases in every 10,000 patients. Associate Professor of Medicine at the Keck School of Medicine at USC, Sharon Orrange says, “In private practice, we probably see it 10 to 15 times a year. Next to other classic neuropathies like carpal tunnel syndrome, it’s one of the more common.”
Diagnosis & Treatment
While diagnosis of meralgia parasthetica can be elusive – it is sometimes mistaken for other types of disorders – an experienced health care professional can help to identify and treat the symptoms associated with meralgia parasthetica. Chiropractic Neurologists are uniquely qualified to treat patients who suffer from meralgia parasthetica. Developing a care plan specifically designed to match the individual needs of their patients, Chiropractic Neurologists may use a variety of exercises, light tissue massage or even dietary changes to help the patient return to their optimal state of well-being without drugs or surgeries.
Prognosis
For those who suffer from meralgia parasthetica, the prognosis is typically good. Conservative and targeted treatment will help to alleviate the pain and symptoms in the shortest amount possible. Just remember not to put heavy items in your front pockets and put away those skinny jeans.
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