Expert: Dr. J. Shawn Leatherman - 11/6/2006

Question
Hi, I was hoping you could help answer a question regarding my back. A few years ago I went on a plane ride out to Las Vegas. We stayed in a hotel room and I was so tired from the flight that I slept the entire night flat on my back. I usually never do this but for some reason that night I did. When I woke up the next morning the entire top side of my left leg was numb just above the knee. I was a bit concerned and it took nearly all day for the numbness to subside and nearly a year for it to dissipate completely. I did go to my general doctor after all this happened and had an x-ray done. It turned up nothing and I got that call form the nurse saying nothings wrong with me. Ever since that day if I lay flat on my back for any extended period of time my left leg starts to get numb again. It goes away as soon as I flip over but it really causes a restless night sleep. I have had some bad back pain in the past but it is generally located in the lower area. I have been ok with it lately but will probably have more problems in the future. My question is what am I experiencing and what should I do about it? Am I just going to have to deal with it forever? Is this a serious issue or just another annoying back issue? Please help.

Answer
Dear Kevin,

This sounds like a simple nerve compression/irritation due to anatomical loading of the back while sleeping.  Usually this sort of problem is transient in nature and only problematic when in specific positions, like you had mentioned. This is not a serious issue from what you have described, but can progress over time if not addressed. Let me explain.

Concerning your sleeping position, laying flat on your back is the preferred position for spinal health, but may not be optimal for you.  I would like for you to try and sleep on you back, but place a pillow under your lower legs and see if that solves the problem.  

If so then you have a mechanical issue in the joints of the lower back which is causing some compression or irritation to the nerves that innervate the anterior thigh.  Regular chiropractic adjustments can help alleviate this type of issue, but you should also be taught exercises to help reduce the loading of these structures so that they do not undergo any accelerated degeneration.

I would recommend that you go and get a chiropractic evaluation of the low back to include weight bearing, (standing) x-rays to visualize any degeneration you might have now, and to check the actual structure of the spine as it relates to gravity to see if there is any deviation from the normal anatomical positioning. Most of these types of cases respond very well to chiropractic care, and I usually see improvement of these types of issues within a week or two of care.

Good Luck, and if you have any further comments or questions, feel free to respond back.

Respectfully,
Dr. J. Shawn Leatherman