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Audrey Spangler, LMT, 2193 Park Avenue W, Mansfield, OH (2026)

07/20/2022

🔈THORACIC OUTLET SYNDROME

Thoracic outlet syndrome is a disorder characterized by pain and paresthesias in a hand, the neck, a shoulder, or an arm.
Pathogenesis often involves compression of the lower trunk of the brachial plexus (and perhaps the subclavian vessels) as these structures traverse the thoracic outlet below the scalene muscles and over the 1st rib, before they enter the axilla.

Compression may be caused by:
• A cervical rib
• An abnormal 1st thoracic rib
• Abnormal insertion or position of the scalene muscles
• A malunited clavicle fracture
• Thoracic outlet syndromes are more common among women and usually develop between age 35 and 55.

Symptoms and Signs of TOS
Pain and paresthesias usually begin in the neck or shoulder and extend to the medial aspect of the arm and hand and sometimes to the adjacent anterior chest wall. Many patients have mild to moderate sensory impairment in the C8 to T1 distribution on the painful side; a few have prominent vascular-autonomic changes in the hand (e.g., cyanosis, swelling). In even fewer, the entire affected hand is weak.

Rare complications of thoracic outlet compression syndromes include Raynaud syndrome localized to the affected arm and distal gangrene.

Exercise:
• Pectoralis stretch: Stand in a doorway or corner with both arms on the wall slightly above your head. Slowly lean forward until you feel a stretch in the front of your shoulders. Hold 15 to 30 seconds. Repeat 3 times.

• Thoracic extension: While sitting in a chair, clasp both arms behind your head. Gently arch backward and look up toward the ceiling. Repeat 10 times. Do this several times per day.

• Arm slide on wall: Sit or stand with your back against a wall and your elbows and wrists against the wall. Slowly slide your arms upward as high as you can while keeping your elbows and wrists against the wall. Do 3 sets of 10.

• Rowing exercise: Tie a piece of elastic tubing around an immovable object and grasp the ends in each hand. Keep your forearms vertical and your elbows at shoulder level and bent to 90 degrees. Pull backward on the band and squeeze your shoulder blades together. Repeat 10 times. Do 3 sets.

07/19/2022

🔈 TIBIALIS ANTERIOR TENDONITIS - SYMPTOMS, CAUSES, TREATMENT OPTIONS

▶️ WHAT IS TIBIALIS ANTERIOR TENDONITIS?

The tibialis anterior is a muscle which lies at the front of the shin and attaches to several bones in the foot via the tibialis anterior tendon. The tibialis anterior is primarily responsible for moving the foot and ankle towards the head (dorsiflexion – figure 1), and, controlling the foot as it lowers to the ground during walking or running.

Whenever the tibialis anterior muscle contracts or is stretched, tension is placed through the tibialis anterior tendon. If this tension is excessive due to too much repetition or high force, damage to the tendon can occur. Tibialis anterior tendonitis is a condition whereby there is damage to the tibialis anterior tendon with subsequent inflammation and degeneration.

▶️ SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF TIBIALIS ANTERIOR TENDONITIS

Patients with tibialis anterior tendonitis usually experience pain at the front of the shin, ankle or foot during activities which place large amounts of stress on the tibialis anterior tendon (or after these activities with rest, especially upon waking in the morning). These activities may include walking or running excessively (especially up or down hills or on hard or uneven surfaces), kicking an object with toes pointed (e.g. a football), wearing excessively tight shoes or kneeling. The pain associated with this condition tends to be of gradual onset which progressively worsens over weeks or months with continuation of aggravating activities. Patients with this condition may also experience pain on firmly touching the tibialis anterior tendon.

▶️ CAUSES OF TIBIALIS ANTERIOR TENDONITIS

Tibialis anterior tendonitis typically occurs due to activities placing large amounts of stress through the tibialis anterior muscle. These activities may include fast walking or running (especially up or downhill or on hard or uneven surfaces) or sporting activity (such as running or kicking sports). Patients may also develop this condition following direct rubbing on the tibialis anterior tendon. This may occur due to excessive tightness of strapping or shoelaces over the tendon.

▶️ TREATMENT OPTIONS

Treatment for patients with tibialis anterior tendonitis is vital to hasten the healing process, ensure an optimal outcome and reduce the likelihood of injury recurrence. Treatment may comprise:

- soft tissue massage
- electrotherapy (e.g. ultrasound)
- anti-inflammatory advice
- stretches
- joint mobilization
- dry needling
- ankle taping
- bracing
- the use of crutches
- ice or heat treatment
- exercises to improve strength, flexibility and balance
- education
- activity modification advice
- biomechanical correction
- footwear advice
- a gradual return to activity program

▶️ EXERCISES

The following exercises are commonly prescribed to patients with this condition. You should discuss the suitability of these exercises with your physiotherapist prior to beginning them. Generally, they should be performed 3 times daily and only provided they do not cause or increase symptoms.

Your physiotherapist can advise when it is appropriate to begin the initial exercises and eventually progress to the advanced and self massage exercises. As a general rule, addition of exercises or progression to more advanced exercises should take place provided there is no increase in symptoms.

🔑 Foot and Ankle Up and Down

Move your foot and ankle up and down as far as possible and comfortable without pain (figure 2). Repeat 10 – 20 times provided there is no increase in symptoms.

🔑 Foot and Ankle In and Out

Move your foot and ankle in and out as far as possible and comfortable without pain (figure 3). Repeat 10 -20 times provided there is no increase in symptoms.

Reference: Physio Advisor

07/09/2022

🔊 FROZEN SHOULDER - CAN MASSAGE AND EXERCISE HELP?

Frozen shoulder is a condition where an individual will experience pain and stiffness in the shoulder and is not able to lift the arm over the head. Frozen shoulder causes stiffness and restricted range of movement in the shoulder. This condition is medically known as "adhesive capsulitis." However, the adhesive capsulitis is a specific condition where there is a slow onset of stiffness and pain in one shoulder due to inflammation and tightening of the joint capsule. Usually the terms frozen shoulder and adhesive capsulitis are used alternately.

💡 PHASES

Clinical presentation is typically in three overlapping
phases:

🔁 Phase 1 – lasting 2 months to 9 months. Painful
phase, with progressive and increasing pain on
movement. Pain tends to be constant and diagnosis
in the early stages before movement is lost can be
difficult.

🔁 Phase 2 – lasting 4 months to 12 months. Stiffening
or freezing, where there is gradual reduction of pain
but stiffness persists with considerable restriction in
range of motion. Pain pattern changes from constant
to end range pain of reduced intensity.

🔁 Phase 3 – lasting 12 months to 42 months.
Resolution or thawing phase, where there is
improvement in range of motion with resolution of stiffness. End range pain may persist until full
resolution.

💡 TREATMENT

In most of the cases adhesive capsulitis resolves on its own over a period of a year to year-and-a-half. Treatment for adhesive capsulitis basically focuses on alleviating pain and trying to preserve as much range of motion as possible in the affected shoulder.

➡️ EXERCISE

Stretching exercises are usually the cornerstone of treating frozen shoulder. Here are just a few.

1. Cross-body arm stretch
2. Pendulum stretch
3. Arm circles
4. Towel stretch

➡️ MASSAGE

Massage therapy is very beneficial in treating frozen shoulder as it increases the blood circulation to the injured region and also reduces the formation of scar tissue. Regular massage should be done to reduce the muscle stiffness. The pain and stiffness usually gets relieved after several massage treatments.

There are various combinations of techniques done by a professional massage therapist, which provide relief from shoulder pain and help in the recovery stage.

▪️DEEP TISSUE MASSAGE

One of the common techniques used to treat frozen shoulder is deep-tissue massage. In this technique, the massage therapist applies constant pressure to the muscles in order to release the scar tissue or adhesions, which may be causing the shoulder pain.
Shiatsu is a Japanese form of deep-tissue massage, which involves deep pressure on certain regions of the body. These are called acupressure points and helps in controlling the energy flow ("Ki" in Japanese) across the body and thus results in decrease in pain. Deep-tissue massage techniques should not be done in case of acute shoulder pain, swelling or inflammation, as it may aggravate the condition.

▪️TRIGGER POINT THERAPY

Trigger point therapy is another massage technique, which benefits the frozen shoulder. In this technique, a steady pressure is applied on certain targeted points within the muscles. This helps in relieving the muscle spasms.

▪️HEAT THERAPY

Heat therapy is also very helpful in treating the frozen shoulder. It can be applied before or after a massage. Heat therapy can be also done for trigger point massage for frozen shoulder. It helps in relaxing the muscles and decreasing pain. Mild heat can be applied for multiple times daily using pads, which are heated an hour before application.

source: Harvard Medical School, British Orthopaedic Association.

07/08/2022

🔈 WHY ARE THE PSOAS MUSCLES CONSTANTLY CONTRACTED DURING PROLONGED PERIODS OF STRESS?

Whether you run, bike, dance, practice yoga, or just hang out on your couch, your psoas muscles are involved. That’s because your psoas muscles are the primary connectors between your torso and your legs. They affect your posture and help to stabilise your spine.

The psoas muscles are made of both slow and fast twitching muscles. Because they are major flexors, weak psoas muscles can cause many of the surrounding muscles to compensate and become overused. That is why a tight or overstretched psoas muscle could be the cause of many or your aches and pains, including low back and pelvic pain.

👩‍🔬 ANATOMY

Structurally, your psoas muscles are the deepest muscles in your core. They attach from your 12th thoracic vertebrae to your 5 lumbar vertebrae, through your pelvis and then finally attach to your femurs. In fact, they are the only muscles that connect your spine to your legs.

Your psoas muscles allow you to bend your hips and legs towards your chest, for example when you are going up stairs. They also help to move your leg forward when you walk or run.

Your psoas muscles are the muscles that flex your trunk forward when bend over to pick up something from the floor. They also stabilize your trunk and spine during movement and sitting.

👩‍🔬 THE PSOAS AND FIGHT OR FLIGHT RESPONSE

The psoas muscles support your internal organs and work like hydraulic pumps allowing blood and lymph to be pushed in and out of your cells.

Your psoas muscles are vital not only to your structural well-being, but also to your psychological well-being because of their connection to your breath.

Here’s why: there are two tendons for the diaphragm (called the crura) that extend down and connect to the spine alongside where the psoas muscles attach. One of the ligaments (the medial arcuate) wraps around the top of each psoas. Also, the diaphragm and the psoas muscles are connected through fascia that also connects the other hip muscles.

These connections between the psoas muscle and the diaphragm literally connect your ability to walk and breathe, and also how you respond to fear and excitement. That’s because, when you are startled or under stress, your psoas contracts.

In other words, your psoas has a direct influence on your fight or flight response!

During prolonged periods of stress, your psoas is constantly contracted. The same contraction occurs when you:

➡️ sit for long periods of time
➡️ engage in excessive running or walking
➡️ sleep in the fetal position
➡️ do a lot of sit-ups

💡 Here are some tips for getting your psoas back in balance:

✔️ Avoid sitting for extended periods
✔️ Add support to your car seat
✔️ Try Resistance Flexibility exercises
✔️ Get a professional massage
✔️ Release stress and past traumas
✔️ Stretch

💡 HOW TO STRETCH

Roller Psoas Stretch
Use a foam roller for this passive, relaxing stretch that lengthens your psoas, one of your deep hip flexors.

1. Place the roller perpendicular to your spine and lie with your sacrum (the back of your pelvis) — not your spine — on the roller.
2. Pull your left knee toward your chest, keeping your right heel on the ground. You should feel a stretch on the front of your right hip.
3. To increase the stretch, reach your right arm over your head and open your left knee slightly out to the left.
Hold for 30 seconds, then switch legs. Repeat as needed.

07/04/2022

🔈WHAT IS T4 SYNDROME?

T4 syndrome, also known as Upper Thoracic Syndrome refers to the pain in the upper back and is a much under-recognized or diagnosed condition. The spinal cord is divided into 5 segments: Cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral and coccyx. The cervical segment has 7 segments (C1-C7), the thoracic has 12 segments (T1-T12), the lumbar has 5 segments (L1-L5), the sacral also has 5 segments which are fused (S1-S5), the coccyx has only 1 segment.

T4 syndrome typically indicates pain in the 4th vertebrae of the thoracic segment of the spine. T4 syndrome is 3-4 times more common in females than in males.

💡 The Typical Symptoms of T4 Syndrome or Upper Thoracic Syndrome Include:

➡️ Diffused pain in arms
➡️ Paraesthesia in whole arm or the fore-arm
➡️ Extreme hot or cold temperatures of hand
➡️ Heavy feeling in the upper extremities
➡️ Non-dermatomal pains or aches in the forearm or arm
➡️ A crushing or tight band like pain
➡️ Recurrent complain of discontinuous pain in and around the scapular region or posterior thoracic pain
➡️ Sensations like tingling of pins or needles or numbness of the arm.

💡 What Can Cause T4 Syndrome or Upper Thoracic Syndrome?

The reason for the development of T4 syndrome depends on injury to the T4 segment of the spinal cord due to repeated bending, arching, lifting or twisting type of movement thus causing injury to the facet joints in that area. It can also be caused due to poor posture like protruding the head forward while sitting or standing, and slouching. It is common in people with cervical lordosis or cervico-thoracic kyphosis.

Women are more prone to develop the syndrome due to their structural differences from men. As the breasts develop, there is an increase in the amount of weight in the frontal part and to maintain that many would bend a little forward. The heavier the breast, the chances are more to develop T4 syndrome in women.

Treatment for T4 Syndrome or Upper Thoracic Syndrome
The treatment of T4 Syndrome solely depends on physiotherapy. An experienced physiotherapist will provide manual therapy with an impairment based approach. The sessions would start with manual therapy and slowly would progress to home exercise. The sessions would include some or combinations of the following techniques:

➡️ Joint manipulation and mobilization of the thoracic and cervical spine
➡️ Soft tissue massage
➡️ Taping or bracing
➡️ Electrotherapy viz., ultrasound or laser
➡️ Dry needling
➡️ Training in Pilates
➡️ Postural correction
➡️ Stretching
➡️ Exercises for flexibility and stabilization of the core

06/28/2022

🔊 SCIATICA

WHAT IS SCIATICA?

💡 Sciatica is the result of a neurological problem in the back or an entrapped nerve in the pelvis or buttock. There are a set of neurological symptoms such as:

➡️ Pain (intense pain in the buttock)
➡️ Lumbosacral radicular leg pain
➡️ Numbness
➡️ Muscular weakness
➡️ Gait dysfunction
➡️ Sensory impairment
➡️ Sensory disturbance
➡️ Hot and cold or tinglings or burning sensations in the legs
➡️ Reflex impairment
➡️ Paresthesias or dysesthesias and oedema in the lower extremity that can be caused by the irritation of the sciatic nerves (the lumbar nerve L4 and L5 and the sacral nerves S1,S2 and S3)

CAUSES OF PAIN

💡 Pain is a result of irritation of the sciatic nerve. it can be constant or intermittend. The pain may be worsened by certain movements like coughing or sneezing (these movements increase the intra abdominal pressure). Sitting, bending, prolonged standing or rising from a sitting position can aggravate or increase the pain.

PAIN PATTERNS

💡 In regards to relief the pain, the supine position decreases the pressure on the herniated disc and will subsequently decrease pain. Pain is located along the distribution of the nerve and can be felt in the back, buttocks, knee and leg. It only radiates to one side of the leg and can result in reduced power, reflexes and sensation in the nerve root. Also gait dysfunction (toe walking, foot drop and knee buckling), paresthesias or dysesthesias are frequent neurological symptoms.

SYMPTOMS BASED ON NERVE COMPRESSION

💡 Sciatica can be caused by the compression or irritation of nerve L4, L5, S1, S2 and S3. The sciatica symptoms depend on which nerve is compressed or irritated.

◾ L4: When the L4 nerve is compressed or irritated the patient feels pain, tingling and numbnessiIn the thigh. The patient also feels weak when straightening the leg and may have a diminished knee jerk reflex.

◾ L5: When the L5 nerve is compressed or irritated the pain, tingling and numbness may extend to the foot and big toes.

◾ S1: When the S1 nerve is compressed or irritated the patient feels pain, tingling and numbness on the outer part of the foot. The patient also experiences weakness when elevating the heel off the ground and standing on tiptoes. The ankle jerk reflex may be diminished.

source: B.W Koes, M.W Van Tulder, W.C Peul. Diagnosis and treatment of sciatica. BMJ.

06/27/2022

🔈 FACET CPSULAR IRRITATION

Lumbar facet syndrome refers to a dysfunction at the level of the posterior facet joints of the spine. These joints together with the disc form the intervertebral joint. Changes at the level of the posterior facet joints can influence the disc and vice versa. The term ‘dysfunction’ implies that at a certain level (mostly L4-L5 or L5-S1) these 3 components do not function normally.

The lumbar facet syndrome is a painful irritation of the posterior part of the lumbar spine. Swelling from the surrounding structures, can cause pain due to an irritation of the nerve roots. Little capsular tears can originate at the level of the posterior facet joints due to a trauma. This can lead to a subluxation of the joint. The synovia that surrounds the joint is damaged and leads to a synovitis. Secondly a hypertonic contraction of the surrounding muscles present itself. This is a protection mechanism that increases the pain. These changes lead to a fibrosis and osteophyte formation. The most common cause is repetitive micro trauma and as positive result of this chronic degeneration. In daily living this may occur with repetitive extension of the back. So mostly all movements with the arms above the head. These recurring injuries can happen in sports were it is necessary to make repetitive powerful hyperextensions of the lumbar spine. An irritation can also occur when the intervertebral disc is damaged and the biomechanics of the joint have changed. In this case the facet joints are exposed to a higher loading.

Movements/Activities that decrease pain include:

Walking
Lying with knees bent
Medication
Supported flexion, sitting, standing with weight on hands and elbows
Rest
Lateral bending towards healthy side
Varying activity

Try cat-cow stretch:

Instructions
Begin on your hands and knees in table pose, with a neutral spine. As you inhale and move into cow pose, lift your sit bones upward, press your chest forward and allow your belly to sink.
Lift your head, relax your shoulders away from your ears, and gaze straight ahead.
As you exhale, come into cat pose while rounding your spine outward, tucking in your tailbone, and drawing your p***c bone forward.
Release your head toward the floor — just don’t force your chin to your chest. Most importantly, just relax.

06/23/2022

🔈 FASCIA OF UPPER LIMB

Anterior wall and floor of axilla.

A. Axillary fascia forms the floor of the axilla and is continuous with the pectoral fascia.

B. The pectoral fascia surrounds the pectoralis major, forming the anterior layer of the anterior axillary wall. The clavipectoral fascia extends between the coracoid process of the scapula, the clavicle, and the axillary fascia.

The fascia of the pectoral region is attached to the clavicle and sternum. The pectoral fascia invests the pectoralis major and is continuous inferiorly with the fascia of the anterior abdominal wall. The pectoral fascia leaves the lateral border of the pectoralis major and becomes the axillary fascia , which forms the floor of the axilla (compartment deep to skin of the armpit). Deep to the pectoral fascia and pectoralis major, another fascial layer, the clavipectoral fascia , descends from the clavicle, enclosing the subclavius and then pectoralis minor, becoming continuous inferiorly with the axillary fascia.

The part of the clavipectoral fascia between the pectoralis minor and subclavius, the costocoracoid membrane , is pierced by the lateral pectoral nerve, which primarily supplies the pectoralis major. The part of the clavipectoral fascia inferior to the pectoralis minor, the suspensory ligament of the axilla , supports the axillary fascia and pulls it and the overlying skin upward during abduction of the arm, forming the axillary fossa (armpit).

The scapulohumeral muscles that cover the scapula, and form the bulk of the shoulder, are also ensheathed by deep fascia. The deltoid fascia descends over the superficial surface of the deltoid from the clavicle, acromion, and scapular spine. From the deep surface of the deltoid fascia, numerous septa (connective tissue partitions) pe*****te between the fascicles (bundles) of the muscle. Inferiorly, the deltoid fascia is continuous with the pectoral fascia anteriorly and the dense infraspinous fascia posteriorly. The muscles that cover the anterior and posterior surfaces of the scapula are covered superficially with deep fascia, which is attached to the margins of the scapula and posteriorly to the spine of the scapula.

06/22/2022

🔈 SYNOVIAL SHEATHS AND TENDONS OF HAND

A. Observe that the six synovial tendon sheaths (purple) occupy six osseofibrous tunnels formed by attachments of the extensor retinaculum to the ulna and especially the radius, which give passage to 12 tendons of nine extensor muscles. The tendon of the extensor digitorum to the little finger is shared between the ring finger and continues to the little finger via an intertendinous connection. It then receives additional fibers from the tendon of the extensor digiti minimi. Such variations are common. Numbers refer to the labeled osseofibrous tunnels shown in part B.

B. This slightly oblique transverse section of the distal end of the forearm shows the extensor tendons traversing the six osseofibrous tunnels deep to the extensor retinaculum.

06/17/2022

🔈 WHAT DO YOUR FEET TELL YOU? OVERPRONATION

👣 The feet tell you a lot about what’s happening above them, at rest and during movement.

↪️ The posture (position) your feet are in is the result of what’s happening upstream. Your foot position is intimately related to how well you control the position of your pelvis and how well your hips are able to function as a result of this.

➡️ The stability, strength, and control of your hips and pelvic musculature determines whether you can maintain control of every joint beneath them, and therefore maintain the desired position of your joints at rest and during movement.

🔑 It comes down to having control over your joints, and attaining/maintaining the desired joint positions as you move.

👣 The feet can grant your body a huge amount of stability IF they are in a good position. If you can use your hips and pelvic control to get your feet where you want them, then they have a huge amount of intrinsic muscles that can work to your advantage. But the feet need to be in a desirable position (posture) in order to work optimally.

🔑 All of this can be worked on and changed. The body changes and adapts to what you expose it to. Learning to control your body requires attention and focus at the start, but is essential for overall musculoskeletal/joint health.

06/14/2022

🔈 INJURIES OF THE ACROMIOCLAVICULAR JOINT + SHEAR TEST

A fall onto the shoulder or outstretched arm frequently causes dislocation of the acromioclavicular joint and damage to the acromioclavicular ligaments. Ligament injury allows the lateral end of the clavicle to move independently of the scapula, causing it to appear upwardly displaced.

The clavicle can be pushed down (with significant pain), but will spring back up when pressure is released (piano-key sign). Three grades of acromioclavicular separation can be distinguished clinically based on the degree of ligament damage (Toss classification).

🔑 TOSSY I

The acromioclavicular and coracoclavicular ligaments are stretched but still intact.

🔑 TOSSY II

The acromioclavicular ligament is ruptured, with subluxation of the joint.

🔑 TOSSY III

Ligaments are all disrupted, with complete dislocation of the acromioclavicular joint.

Radiographs in different planes will show widening of the space in the acromioclavicular joint. Comparative-stress radiographs with the patient holding approximately 10kg weights in each hand will reveal the extent of upward displacement of the lateral end of the clavicle on the affected side.

🚑 SHEAR TEST

✅ Purpose

To test for acromioclavicular joint pathology or injury

✅ Technique

Patient: sitting or standing with the arm dependent or in a neutral position on the lap.
Clinician: standing adjacent to the patient. The heel of one hand is placed posteriorly over the spine of the scapula with the fingers pointing upwards; the other hand is positioned in a9 similar fashion anteriorly over the mid section of the clavicle. The fingers of both hands are then interlocked over the upper trapezius area of the shoulder.

✅ Action

The hands are gradually squeezed together, imparting a shear stress through the ACJ created by the approximation of the clavicle and scapula.

✅ Positive test

Localized pain over the ACJ or increased joint excursion are considered to be positive findings and are indicative of ACJ pathology or injury.

06/13/2022

🔈 MERALGIA PARESTHETICA - FRONT THIGH PAIN

Meralgia paresthetica is a condition characterized by tingling, numbness and burning pain in your outer thigh. The cause of meralgia paresthetica is compression of the nerve that supplies sensation to the skin surface of your thigh.

Tight clothing, obesity or weight gain, and pregnancy are common causes of meralgia paresthetica. However, meralgia paresthetica can also be due to local trauma or a disease, such as diabetes.

In most cases, you can relieve meralgia paresthetica with conservative measures, such as wearing looser clothing. In severe cases, treatment may include, physical therapy, medications to relieve discomfort or, rarely, surgery.

Symptoms
Pressure on the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve, which supplies sensation to your upper thigh, might cause these symptoms of meralgia paresthetica:

* Tingling and numbness in the outer (lateral) part of your thigh
* Burning pain on the surface of the outer part of your thigh

These symptoms commonly occur on one side of your body and might intensify after walking or standing.

Causes
Meralgia paresthetica occurs when the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve — which supplies sensation to the surface of your outer thigh — becomes compressed, or pinched. The lateral femoral cutaneous nerve is purely a sensory nerve and doesn't affect your ability to use your leg muscles.

In most people, this nerve passes through the groin to the upper thigh without trouble. But in meralgia paresthetica, the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve becomes trapped — often under the inguinal ligament, which runs along your groin from your abdomen to your upper thigh.

Common causes of this compression include any condition that increases pressure on the groin, including:

* Tight clothing, such as belts, corsets and tight pants
* Obesity or weight gain
* Wearing a heavy tool belt
* Pregnancy
* Scar tissue near the inguinal ligament due to injury or past surgery
* Nerve injury, which can be due to diabetes or seat belt injury after a motor vehicle accident, for example, also can cause meralgia paresthetica.

Risk factors
The following might increase your risk of meralgia paresthetica:

* Extra weight. Being overweight or obese can increase the pressure on your lateral femoral cutaneous nerve.
* Pregnancy. A growing belly puts added pressure on your groin, through which the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve passes.
* Diabetes. Diabetes-related nerve injury can lead to meralgia paresthetica.
* Age. People between the ages of 30 and 60 are at a higher risk.

Audrey Spangler, LMT

07/20/2022

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07/09/2022

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06/28/2022

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