Expert: Dr. J. Shawn Leatherman - 11/16/2006

Question
Good day to you!

My name is Alexandra and I am 26 years old.
The problem started 3 weeks ago when I was shaving my left leg and realize I could not feel from my knee down. My left foot its numb as well. Actually if touching it, it feels like if my leg is under anesthesia.
I am a personal Trainer, and since i have a very active life it started to really scared me since I inmensely enjoy sports. I also work in an office and sit infront of a pc for 8 hs everyday. It has gotten worst in the last week, to the point that i feel that Im dragging the left foot.
Havent seen a doctor yet, thinking it might just be a pinched nerve and it might go away with some yoga moves. Well, it hasnt and now Im getting worried.
I have no pain at all it just doesnt feel right, and heavier at times than the right leg. I notice it more when I walk.
let me add that last year I had really strong headaches (short lasting stabbing pain AKA ice pick syndrome) alwyays on the left side of the head and very often within one day for which I went to the neurologist. I got a Brain scan (MRI) and everything seemed to be OK.
I still have those 4 seconds headaches on the left side of my head.
I asumed that it might be a pinched nerve or a circulation problem....but in case of circulation problem can this be serious? Just want to make sure that I will be fine to keep on working and training people! Any moves or exercises that you suggest or vitamins to take? Shall I not work out for a period of time?
THank you for your advise and look foward to your response.

Thank you for your help!

Alexandra  

Answer
Dear Alexandra,

You need to get off your butt and get to a doctor this week to have an exam, low back x-rays and a possible low back MRI!!  

You stated, "to the point that i feel that I'm dragging the left foot", and "heavier at times than the right leg. I notice it more when I walk."  This sounds like a condition called foot drop, in which the L5 nerve root is encroached to the point that it cannot relay muscular activation to the foot, therefore you cannot flex the foot upward.  If this is foot drop, and it is left untreated, it can permanently damage the nerve.  

Go get it checked out, you are too young to let this get worse...it may not be too bad yet.  Many times these things get better with just a few adjustments of the low back.

What you have described does not sound like a circulation problem to me, but that should be checked with a thorough examination anyway. Advice on vitamin intake is useless at this point because we don't know what is actually going on in the tissues yet.  Moreover, supplementing the diet is not likely to make a change from what you have described...being on good supplementation is always a benefit, but condition specific recommendations must come after a proper diagnosis has been rendered.

Ask friend, family etc... for a referral to a good chiropractic physician that they trust.  If you cannot get a referral, write me back with your location and I will try to get you set up with a chiropractor who has advanced post-doctoral training in your area.

Good luck Alexandra, Let me know how things go.
Respectfully, Dr. J. Shawn Leatherman