Is the unexplained numbness in the calf a lumbar spine problem?

Normally, when people are standing or sitting, they will feel that their joints are very comfortable, unless they stand for a long time or in one posture for several hours in a row, they will feel uncomfortable. However, some people feel numbness in their calves for no apparent reason. This may be a problem with the lumbar spine, because lumbar compression slows down the return flow of blood to the lower limbs, which causes this symptom.

More and more people are having problems with their lumbar spine, especially white-collar workers in offices. Many of them suffer from lumbar disc herniation.

What factors cause lumbar discomfort? Basically, the main factor causing lumbar discomfort is being in an immobile position for a long time, such as sitting for a long time, bending over for a long time to work, or habitual bad posture. So what should we do if we have problems with our lumbar spine? Now, let Jia Dong, director of the Fifth Department of Neurosurgery at Tangdu Hospital of Fourth Military Medical University, tell us about it.

Sitting for a long time will cause excessive fatigue of the waist muscles, fascia, ligaments, etc., increase muscle pressure, cause the blood flow in the blood vessels to become smaller and slower, and the muscle cell tissue cannot get enough oxygen and nutrients brought by blood circulation. At the same time, metabolic products cannot be removed from the tissue in time, which will cause inflammation over time. Repeatedly doing this will cause tissue deformation, hyperplasia, and thickening, resulting in strain.

Is "sitting still" the main cause of lumbar pain? Yes, for the lumbar spine, walking is better than standing, and standing is better than sitting. In daily life, many people drive for several hours at a time, or sit in front of a computer and type for a long time. These can easily cause lumbar discomfort because of incorrect posture and unbalanced body position. It’s best to stand up and move your body every one or two hours.

The posture is incorrect, so what is the correct posture? As the old saying goes, "Stand like a pine tree, sit like a bell". When sitting, you must straighten your back and sit up straight. The body can sometimes deceive us. When you put your body on a sofa that seems very soft and comfortable, it may make you feel relaxed and comfortable at first; but after sitting for a long time, this comfort begins to change, because it may have hurt your lumbar spine unknowingly.

The lumbar spine’s “temperament” is that it prefers to be “hard” and not “soft”? The answer is yes. It is best to sleep on a hard bed, such as a wooden bed or a harder spring bed. It is also best to buy a harder mattress, which can help maintain the physiological curvature of the spine. It is best to lie flat when sleeping, so that the body forms a straight line and helps relax the lumbar spine. It is okay to sleep on your side, but sleeping on your stomach is not suitable. Many people like to buy a soft bed, as if it would be more comfortable. In fact, this is bad for the lumbar spine. Children and young people in particular must sleep on hard beds more often. You may feel a little uncomfortable at first, but after adapting for a while you will find the benefits of a hard bed. Some patients with lumbar spine problems can lie on a hardwood bed for two or three days, which can also relieve some of their symptoms. In addition, do not choose a pillow that is too high to avoid sleeping with it too high.