Leg numbiness

[decas]

Hi,

Two days ago I was meditating and one leg numbed. It wouldn't be a surprise if now after two days my leg is still a bit numbed. I do not know what to do, I tried to massage it but it doesn't help. Do I need to wait more and everything will be okay or I damaged my nerves somehow? I am scared

That time I meditated for 30 minutes.

My leg looks like in this photo from Google.

Blue - place which was pressured, red - numbiness.



I can move my leg without problems but when I touch that spot I feel numbiness. I can feel pain and touch but it is greatly reduced.

[Hazelkay]

Hi Decas,

Looks like you are very worried about this - hope it is improving.

It's not a frequent thing, but it does happen that people experience numbness in a leg - though it is often from much longer sessions than half an hour.

Were you experiencing pressure and pain when you were meditating and trying just to observe it?

Bodily pain often arises during meditation and whether we do anything about it depends on the cause. If we are sitting awkwardly or on a pressure point it makes sense to adjust the position. Some pains arise and pass while meditating and these can just be observed.

A good rule of thumb would be if the pain arises in meditation but is not there afterwards it is just due to the meditation process. If it persists for a long time when not meditating, it probably has some physical cause.

I doubt you can have damaged a nerve by sitting pressure in half an hour - but I am not a medical practitioner. If it is still troublesome and not improving, maybe you should have it checked out.

I would advise changing your meditating posture so you don't put pressure on this spot.

There is something you can try to help your self.

Generate loving kindness that fills your whole being and direct it with compassion towards the foot. Allow this light of loving kindness to bathe the foot.

If you find generating loving kindness difficult, use your imagination. Imagine a small, helpless being - like a puppy, a kitten, a lamb - it is in distress and needs love, care and comfort - allow all your love and compassion to flow towards this imaginary being and then direct that compassion to yourself and to your foot.

sending you much loving kindness
peace and joy

[GilesC]

Hi decas,

How were you sitting when you were meditating?
Many people new to meditation believe they have to sit in the cross-legged lotus style in order to meditate properly. This isn't the case, as you should sit in whatever way is comfortable for you, though I'd recommend not so comfortable as to let yourself fall asleep (i.e. sit in a comfortable chair but without the head supported (some also recommend not supporting the back, but that is up to the individual and how comfortable they are and whether they need their lower back supporting).

As for numbness that hasn't gone away after two days, it may be wise to go see your doctor just to get checked out.

Hugs

Giles

[decas]

I was sitting in the crossed legs lotus pose. My legs wasn't cushioned, that's why this happened. I know about meditating in the future.

The problem is that I am in foreign country right now and there is no opportunity to get to a doctor. That's why I am asking here... Maybe there is something to do to relieve numbness.