The Science of Your Foot Falling Asleep
When your foot or other body part falls asleep, there is something wrong with the communication between the muscles in that area and your brain.
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When your foot or other body part falls asleep, there is something wrong with the communication between the muscles in that area and your brain.
When you choose to move your body, whether you are standing up, walking, or playing sports, the brain sends signals to the muscles to move in the correct motion.
However, when the brain can’t talk with force or groups of muscles, some strange things can happen, including that part of your body getting that weird falling-asleep sensation.
Foot Asleep Science
It usually starts with a sense of tingling or numbness in the area. That sensation, which people often describe as “pins and needles,” its scientific name is known as paresthesia.
Some, by mistake, think a lack of blood flow is the probable cause of this feeling. They believe the “asleep” feeling happens because you can't get to your foot when your blood carries nutrients all over the body. But this is incorrect.
When your foot is asleep, the nerves connecting the brain to the foot are squished due to your position.
Remember, those nerves send messages back and forth to your brain and your foot so they can communicate with one other.
Thus, if those nerves are being compressed for some time, you will not have much to no feeling in your foot as it cannot get its proper signals through to your brain to let it know how it feels or if it is moving.
As you begin to move around again, the nerve pressure is released.
The nerves “wake up,” and you will notice the “pins and needles” feeling. But you shouldn’t worry. The texture will only last up to a few minutes, and then the surface will quickly go back to normal.
Is Your Foot Falling Asleep Dangerous?
Much of the time, when any part of your falls asleep, it is only temporary and absolutely nothing to worry about.
As it only lasts for a minute or two, you might not even recall it happening at the day's end.
However, as it doesn’t cause permanent damage, you may still want to avoid that uncomfortable feeling when your foot falls asleep.
Tips That May Help:
When you sit for long periods, you could try standing up every 10 minutes.
Avoid crossing your legs for long periods.
Switch the position in which you are sitting.
It may be impossible to prevent your foot from falling asleep.
Although you shouldn’t worry when your foot falls asleep occasionally, it will soon dissipate quickly – and maybe you will remember all the vital brain signals your nerves are transmitting without even thinking about it.