Electric Shock Feeling in Leg: Causes and Solutions

As we age, our bodies become more prone to natural deterioration and degenerative diseases. Some middle-aged women, for example, experience unpleasant electric shocks in the leg, which can be caused by a number of medical conditions.

Learn all about electric surges in legs, including what causes electric shock feelings in the leg as well as the most effective solutions to battle them once and for all!

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What Causes Electric Shock Feelings in the Leg

The majority of electric shock pain in the legs are caused by some type of disruption between the vertebrae or a damage to the peripheral nerve. The possible causes include:

Disc herniation

A herniated disk occurs when an intervertebral disc falls out of its place, which can press on a nerve and cause a radiating pain with electric-like stabs from the buttock into the leg.

Cervical spinal stenosis

It is a narrowing of the spaces between the vertebrae caused by a deterioration of cartilage. It compresses the nerve roots and spinal cord, resulting in pain and electric shocks in the legs when walking or standing.

Arachnoiditis

It is an inflammation of the arachnoid lining, which protects the nerves of spinal cord. It causes chronic pain in the lower back and limbs and can cause severe shooting pain like electric shock sensations in legs.

Tarsal tunnel syndrome (TTS) 

TTS occurs when there is compression on the tibial nerve, which can produce a shooting pain down the lower leg to the ankle and lower foot. The pain is generally worsened by walking or putting weight on the foot.

Peripheral neuropathy

Due to damage to the nerves outside of the brain and spinal cord, peripheral neuropathy can result in pain, numbness, and tingling in the feet or hands that can spread upward to the legs and arms, which can feel like electric sensations in legs.

Vitamin B₁₂ deficiency

Vitamin B₁₂ deficiency can cause symptoms of numbness, tingling, and other strange sensations in the extremities.¹ It is most common in vegans and vegetarians as well as older adults.

Hormonal imbalance

For women passing through menopause, electric shock sensations are commonly due to hormonal imbalance, specifically low estrogen levels. Drops in estrogen levels can deregulate the nervous system and affect nerve function, thus producing seemingly random electric shock sensations.

Solutions for Electric Shock Feelings in the Leg

Not all of the conditions causing electric shocks in the legs can be reversed, but all can be effectively managed to decrease this bothersome symptom.

Medications

Drugs such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or anesthetic injections can reduce the pain and inflammation in acute cases, lowering the risk of electric shocks in the legs.

Physical therapy

Physical therapy can effectively relieve the nerve pressure from the lower back and legs, strengthen the muscles and ligaments, and reduce electric shock sensations.

Lifestyle changes

• Make sure your diet consists of sufficient supplies of calcium, vitamin B₁₂, and phosphorus to promote bone growth. Menopausal women should also incorporate foods rich in phytoestrogens into their meals, including bountiful amounts of nuts, legumes, fruits, and vegetables.

• Consider complementing your nutritious diet with natural supplements to manage electric shocks occurring in the legs, including those rich in omega-3 and magnesium.

• Try low-impact exercises, such as swimming, yoga, or stretches to prevent electric shocks, strengthen lower back and abdominal muscles, maintain a healthy weight, and promote endocrine system health.  

• Quit smoking as it can lead to spinal disc degeneration and osteoporosis, putting you at risk for experiencing electric shocks in the legs.²

• Custom orthotic shoes or shoe inserts can help relieve the compression of the nerves, thus reducing the electric shocks.

The most common risk factors for lower back problems, which can result in electric shocks in the legs, are age, sedentary lifestyle, and obesity, all of which make middle-aged women more vulnerable to experiencing these symptoms.

Conclusions

Menopausal women should strive to address the hormonal imbalance taking place in their bodies for long-term relief. Natural and effective electric shock sensation treatments that encourage endocrine system health will bring long-lasting relief not only from electric shock feelings in the legs, but a variety of other menopause symptoms that may be plaguing their days.