### What is Meralgia Paresthetica? Meralgia paresthetica is a condition that causes numbness, pain, or a burning feeling in your outer thigh. This happens when there’s too much pressure on or damage to one of the nerves in your leg, specifically the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (LFCN). This nerve provides sensation to the front and side of your thigh. ### Common Symptoms - Pain, burning, and numbness in the outer thigh - Symptoms usually appear on one side of the body - Sharp, shooting pain that may come and go ### Causes - Wearing tight clothing - Obesity - Pregnancy - Diabetes - Trauma or injury to the hip area ### Diagnosis Doctors can diagnose the condition with a simple physical exam. They will touch your leg to find the affected area and check for any neurological abnormalities of the lower leg. ### Treatment - **Lifestyle Changes:** Wearing loose clothing, avoiding standing for long periods - **Medications:** Pain relievers, anti-inflammatory drugs - **Physical Therapy:** Stretching and strengthening exercises, ultrasound therapy, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) - **Surgery:** In severe cases, surgery may be needed to relieve pressure on the nerve ### Home Care - Hip and leg stretches - Over-the-counter pain relievers - Avoiding activities that aggravate symptoms, like standing or sleeping with your hip extended ### Exercises - **Cat-Cow Stretch:** Get on your hands and knees, curve your lower back and bring your head up, then arch your spine with your head and pelvis down. Repeat 10 times. - **Clamshell:** Lie on your side, raise your top knee while keeping your feet together. Repeat 10 times on each side. - **Lunges:** Step forward with one foot, lower your body until your knee reaches a 90-degree angle. Repeat 10 times on each side. ### Sleeping Positions Avoid sleeping positions that extend your hip, as this can worsen symptoms. ### Massage Some people find that massage helps relieve pain. A physical therapist or chiropractor can show you the correct way to massage.