Light Tingling / Popping Sensation in Legs After Jogging

[gregswife02]

I started a walking / jogging program about 5 weeks ago.  I've been steadily progressing, walking less and jogging more, without any real problems.  The last two times I've worked out I experienced a strange sensation in the back of my legs after exercise.  It felt like tiny bubbles were popping all up and down the backs of my legs- especially in my thighs.  It does not hurt in the least.  In fact, it's actually a pleasant feeling.  I stretch well before and after exercising.  It is during the stretching that I notice the feeling, but I think it starts when I'm running.  I'm just too busy to notice it then.  Should I be concerned about this?

[hardcoreback]

what do u exactly mean by tiny bubbles ?? i cant seem to grasp ur question.  please state it clearly..

[gregswife02]

It feels like there are small bubbles on the back of my legs which are bursting- inside the muscle, just under my skin. They feel like they're all over- maybe an inch or two apart at most.  I can't think of a better way to describe it.  This is exactly what it feels like.

[mlb1234]

i get that tingling sensation too in my legs after jogging,  i just assumed it was due to the increase in blood flow or something like that.  i also get "restless legs" occasionally which stretching seems to help a lot.  I do have a few varicose  and spider veins in my legs so maybe that makes these symptoms worse??

[Andi G]

No no no. I know exactly what you are talking about. Not tingling. Popping. I have been looking for what it is for a very long time and medical boards only come up with things that have to do with cracking or popping bones or tingling or things that hurt. This never hurts. It doesn't do it if I run very quickly, only when I walk briskly for at least 15 min. After I stop walking and am completely still, it will start within a minute. It does it all over and around both legs, right above my knees up to my behind and continues for about 3 minutes or so. It is directly under the skin and feels like if I put my hand there while it does it, then I could feel the "pop" underneath the skin! I can't count them but I would estimate that it does around 50-75 "pops" each time before it is through.

I have nothing that I can think of to cause this: I'm 26, healthy (5'6, 145), I do have the most weight on my thighs and butt though. I have pretty low blood pressure and since i've always experienced other weird things from that sometimes (like vision blackouts for a few seconds when standing up quickly) maybe that could be it.
I don't regularly excersize now, though when I did, it happened everytime. Today I walked for the first time in months and it happened again. It's just a weird feeling! I pretend it's the fat popping off of that area and getting flushed out. lol.

[summero]

I know exactly what you are talking about...it feels like your thighs are bubble wrap and your muscles are popping the bubbles against the inside of your skin....or like tiny air bubbles trying to escape all over your thighs. I experience the same sensation everytime I use the treadmill for 15 min. or more, but I don't know what causes it! If you find out, please let me know.

[Andi G]

That is a great description too!

[shanshan]

You all are describing this popping feeling perfectly so I don't need to describe it again. But did anyone actually find out what it is from a professional? I would like to know! Thanks!

[charliehorse]

I have also been having this strange sensation in my legs immediately after exercising.  I have been totally puzzled by this and decided to google which pulled up this forum.  I don't feel so silly now after reading these posts.....but I really wish I knew what this is?  It is all over my thighs front, sides and back and feels odd but not painful at all.  It only lasts about 5 to 10 minutes. I describe it as tiny little explosions going off under the skin.  Weird!
Does anyone have any answers to what this might be???

[ambassador]

I have the exact same feeling.  My husband said when you exercise and elevate your heart rate your blood starts pumping into your muscles.  When you stop exercising and feel that popping sensation it's literally the blood in your muscles still pumping.  Nothing to fear, it's completely normal.

[CyclingB]

[CyclingB]

My wife has been mentioning this for a few years - tingling or popping and all of the posts make sense.  I'll share this with her.  I think what ambassador's husband says make sense but I don't thinkn all people experience this sessation.  I walk, run and ride and have never had that feeling.  I was wondering if happens to woman more than men - I guess checking the people in this poll wouldn't be very scientific but would be interested to see if it was more one than another - not that it really matters.   Anyhow thanks for clearing this up... B.

[amyinthesummer]

I get the same sensation.  I read somewhere that it's cellulite fat cells dissolving.  Is this wishful thinking?  I also carry a lot of weight in my thighs.  And I agree, it's not unpleasant at all.  It does feel like something good is happening, even if it's only blood flowing.

[webmum]

i am 40 and over weight and have noticed a popping sessation on my leg also somtimes on my arm somtimes you can see it popping it doesnt hurt i was scared it was a blood clott or somthing put you have put my mind at rest  any ansewers

[elimar]

I also have this sensation regularly after walking at a decent pace for 20 or more minutes.  However, I did not have this my entire life...just the past 6-8 years.  I thought it might be increased circulation, however when I REALLY used to work out with strenuous aerobics, and my circulation was as max as it could get, I used to get itchy on the upper layer of skin due to increased blood flow and it was nothing like what I feel now.  I am a slim to normal weight, but this seems to be happening where I do have some body fat.  I am curious, but not anxious about this at all.

[webmum]

you all descibing the feeling well put has anybody got a answer yet

[mel1234]

so weird! I have this exact same feeling sometimes after I sit down from walking somewhere.  I recently decided to google it because I was kind of worried about it even though it's not painful.  There were only a couple sites where people were posting their experience with the popping sensation.  All the medical sites seem to talk about tingling or a numbing sensation but that's certainly not it at all!  I wonder what this is actually caused by??

[AuraithX]

It's a your muscles releasing the lactic acid build up your muscles create during a work out.

[Tricia195]

I have been experiencing this same thing for about the past six months.  I am 55 years old, slender, and walk six miles briskly nearly every day.  I only experience the sensations when I am lying in bed, and they occur between my knees and ankles rather than the thighs.  I agree that it is not painful, but rather annoying.  I have very low blood pressure--no idea if this is related.

Tricia

[LoloB]

I have the same thing.  I am 27 and it has been happening for about 3 years. I am slender, but any extra weight I happen to put on is in my thigh and butt area and that's where I get the popping sensations.  I go on 30 minute brisk walks and I get it after that. It doesn't hurt at all, but I really want to know what it is.  It is nice to know that other people experience the same thing!

[Alls]

The internet is amazing - this was the first thing google showed me after i searched for 'feels like bubbles popping in back of legs'

I also only started getting the sensation this year after I walk or run.  I also on started getting cellulite this year and was pretty convinced that this 'feeling' is cellulite forming.  Does anyone who experiences this NOT have cellulite?  I hope to God i'm wrong.

[danibella]

I dont have any cellulite! I am 20, healthy, very athletic and my legs are pure muscle and i too experience the popping/tingling. Your legs/thighs house some of the largest muscles in your body and I honestly believe its just increased blood flow into those muscles that makes the sensation.

[tigerlily300]

I am 28 yrs old, 5'6, 140 lbs...I have had this feeling in my legs for years after I do intense walking, jogging or biking.  I am taking spin classes three days a week and when I asked the instructor he was a little puzzled and said he had never heard of this before!  But he thought more than likely it was lactic acid releasing out of my muscles.  But I am so surprised there are so many other people experiencing this but there is no real answer!!!  I have seen the answer as being lactic acid, increased blood flow or cellulite dissolving.  The first two seem alot more likely but has anyone heard any other answers on here?  Some other answers seemed to point to an injury of some kind but like all of you this is not a painful feeling, just a little strange..but oddly enough I know I've had a good workout when this happens!!  Just wondering what else is out there on this???

[breezy9278]

I am so glad to hear others with this feeling.  It has happened to me since I was a teenager, whenever I walk for more than about 10 minutes, when i stop, I feel it.  I was thinking maybe veins in my legs aren't as flexible or something and when there is increased bloodflow I can feel the blood pushing through or something, but then when I do really strenuous workouts with my legs and continuous kicks in karate and biking and squats and stuff it doesn't happen, only when i walk... it's still a mystery!

[Mom1964]

my sensation after a great walk then yoga workout is like my foot and leg is starting to 'fall asleep'.  it just started happening and i've been walking briskly for about 4 months now.

[hey_lyn]

I get the popping sensation in my legs too after a good fast walk !!  Like my legs are literally a pop corn machine!  Tsk tsk......... and i always thought it was fat bursting into nothing!!  But now it seems it's just blood circulation :(

[d888]

I have always always wondered what this popping is! I am athletic average weight/size female that runs or does some for of exercise every day. I feel likr i get the poping- which is all over my legs when i am slightly more out of shape- or havent run in a few days. So what isi it? anybody? is it related to fat or cellulite cells?

[hey_lyn]

thinking about it again, the reason i always thought it was fat or cellulite 'popping', is because i get the feeling around my butt and thighs, where cellulite and fat have their kingdom.

[Paula47]

wow...weird..I am just starting to run...I have had some kooky stuff but not that yet...I guess if its 'plesant' than best luck in jus finding what you might name it!  

[UNCgal]

I have had this feeling forever, esp after a walk or something. But I get it randomly too when I am sitting. Has anyone asked a doctor about this? My husband is a very new doctor and he has no idea (and I would say he is pretty smart) - I showed him this forum and he at least understands a little more what I mean.

[UNCgal]

I saw this article on Restless Leg Syndrome that said:

"People describe the strange sensations, which tend to worsen with age,
as feeling as if they have ants or bubbles in their veins. With a more severe form of the disease, the feeling can occur not just at night but anytime someone is at rest, leading to interrupted movies, miserable plane trips, as well as insomnia."

Here is the article: http://www.****.com

[allhaka]

I am sitting here post workout with my butt and thighs "popping" away and I have a giant grin on my face!  Yes, I too experience this and have always jokingly said it was my fat cells popping (disappearing)!  Too weird.  I would love a definitive answer on what this really is!  We need some sort of exercise physiologist (I have no idea what that is) to come in here and straighten us out!

LOL!

I really thought I was the only one that experienced this!

[marissposa]

I always thought it was simply increased blood flow through the large leg arteries,  but that is just a guess.  It is odd how it seems to have no correlation to how hard I've been working out or how exhausted I am  I get it from a long walk, but not a hard as I can go aerobics class.  Weird.

[hall_lee]

Has anyone found out about the "popping" sensation in the upper thighs/legs yet?  I would really love to know what this is.  I have been reading all the posts, but have not yet come up with an answer or have seen one.  This has been happening to me for as long as I can remember.  PLEASE somebody, we need your input!  

[Rhythm7]

Well, just to say I have never experienced popping in my leg until I had varicose vein surgery 4 weeks ago!  yes I agree, its not painful but a very strange feeling its as if u could put your hand on your skin and feel the popping going on!  I spoke to a district nurse last week about this and she said it is air trapped in the tissues of the skin!

Still not convinced though!

Lisa

[Rhythm7]

Hi again, hope my last post was of some help!  Suppose if u think about it it could be air trapped like my district nurse said.

Im going to see another nurse in a couple of days time, I will ask again and see what she comes up with!

[Rhythm7]

look for the word (CREPITUS)

[hall_lee]

thank you for attempting to research this.  it's not life or death, just a strange curiosity.  thanks again!  lemme know what you come up with!

[Rhythm7]

Hi again,

Spoke to a district nurse the other day and was told the same thing (air trapped under the tissues).  Can be due to stress on muscles, joints etc!

[Ifixhair]

I get this too...after walking for a mile or more. It just pops all over my butt and thighs where I have more fat. Doesn't hurt, just feels weird. I do not have varicose veins or anything. I really hope it is just fat popping! It does it every time and I actually feel like if it doesn't happen, I didn't exercise enough! LOL! I'd love to know what it really is!

[jc2333]

is this normal i have it too my left thigh bubbles i workout but i havent for a month email me your pov ***@****  

[LittleMsMia]

   I've been searching for information on this for sometime and this forum is the most I've found on the internet.
I've been afflicted with the after-exercise-popping sensation all over my legs and butt for more than 5 yrs, I am 5'2" and weight about 145, and have a very muscular build and I too carry my little extra body fat in that area, and I also have really low blood pressure. It seems like there are too many similarities in these descriptions for this not to be a medical condition.
   I am worried about this because for the last 6 months I've started experiencing extreme fatigue. Like getting short breathed after just 2 flights of stairs and the muscles in my legs feel so tired like I need to stop and rest after the climb. I am in my young 30's, don't smoke, eat healthy so you wouldn't think that I should tire so easily...? But at the same time I can walk/jog for three miles no problem, I do get the popping sensations, but the extreme fatigue hits me when I'm climbing stairs.
   If anyone is experiencing this too, please message me.

Thanks,
LittleMsMia

[Tracybeans]

I actually have went through 3 doctors trying to find the answer to this question/. I got laughed at by the first doctor.This really scares me. I do not work out like most of you and I have experienced this for about 3 years and had some blood clotting issues in that time. I get the popping throughout my legs and arms. They happen the most in my lower legs- the only place I don't really have fat. I really think that it has more to do with the nerves or circulation over anything to do with fat cells. I am walking or standing all day (I am a teacher) and do experience this more during school season. I think the answer that suits best so far is the restless leg syndrome but I really think that it is a little serious because Restless Legg can be a sign of poor circulation. -Tracybeans

[MM749]

Actually, it is your nerves still firing and making your muscles twitch after strenous exercise, especially after intense aerobic exercise. These muscle twitches are known as fasiculations, which are a small, local, involuntary muscle contractions visible under the skin arising from the spontaneous discharge of skeletal muscle fibers.  Fasiculations can be caused by certain motor diseases but are more commonly caused by electrolyte imbalances, dehydration, stress and fatigue.  Fasiculations are a normal body response to abrupt changes in activity levels such as running for 30 mins. and then suddenly ending the activity. Their intensity is heightened when it has been awhile between exercising routines.  

[MM749]

Sorry for the miss spelling, the proper spelling is "Fasciculations," just incase you want to look more into the topic.

:)

[Englishchick]

I have too had this....have a look at this link and hopefully it will make you all happy.

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_could_cause_a_popping_sensation_in_your_legs_and_backside_after_walking_on_a_treadmill

[Englishchick]

Answer
This sensation after exercise is a very healthy sensation, as it is caused by cellulite (small pockets of fat), popping and being dissolved. It is nothing to worry about, rather it is something you should be looking for as a reward after exercise, particularly if you have an excess amount of fat around the thigs and butt area.

[Niffer991]

I hate to upset you all but fat cells do not dissolve. Fat cells will decrease in size but they never go away unless liposuction takes it out.

I would also be curious to know the cause of this though as my client at work experiences the popping.

Jen

[cyclecat]

Just finished watching Dr. Oz on Oprah, and there is absolutely no way to get rid of cellulite so get some nice pants and a pretty long sleeved shirt and be happy!  As for the bubbles, thank you for this great post as I thought I had some serious vascular disease, and you have set my mind at ease.

[cmsla3]

i too have this popping sensation very superficially in the back of my thighs and bottom after exerise - mainly after walking and jogging. strangly enough i do not seem to experience it after full on aerobic workouts.
i do like to believe that it is the fat cells releasing energy however i was curious to find out what it actually was so i googled it and came up with this forum.
i too have low blood pressure (experience dizziness and sometimes blackouts) and poor circulation - maybe they are related

[Zuya]

I was experiencing this sensation after walk for approximately 5 years.  Recently, I was diagnosed with Hypothyroidism.  Ever since I started taking medication, I have not had this problem reoccur.  Since low thyroid function effects every cell in your body, it can manifest itself in a lot of ways.  My recommendation would be to get a blood test to see if your TSH levels are high.  Good luck!

[Zuya]

I was experiencing this sensation after walking for approximately 5 years.  Recently, I was diagnosed with Hypothyroidism.  Ever since I started taking medication I have not had this problem reoccur.  Since low thyroid function effects every cell in your body, it can manifest itself in a lot of ways.  My recommendation would be to get a blood test to see if your TSH levels are high.  Good luck!

[pseudy]

After the exercise the power of contraction of every heart beat increases it opens the miniature capillaries or blood vessels in the periphery as well as increases blood flow to the nerves in the peripheral part of the limb.Expansion of these capillaries & increased blood flow which is good for your health is making you feel like this.A good article concerning with the physical effects of exercise can be assessed at following link- http://www.shelfieldpeonline.co.uk/html/effects_of_exercise.html

[karenlynn373]

I don't have the popping feeling but I do get a fabulous tingling sensation on my thights and calfs when I work out hard or have run hard.  I really like the feeling and know that I have had a great workout if I get it.  I get other feelings in my legs as well. I have parts of my legs taht will feel like someone has put their very hot hand on my skin.  I have wondered if they are related.  Does anyone have this one as well?

[leniz]

     I get the "fat pops" after any cardio exercise too.  No tingling or pain.  I know it's not the fat cells actually popping, but i wonder if it is fat being burned/metabolized.  It does leave the cells after all.  
     It's absolutely NOT muscle twitches, i can tell the difference.  My thighs and butt carry lots of fat, and the popping is in the fat, not the muscle, i even feel pops close to my skin, and trust me my thigh muscles and skin are separated by thick layer of fat.

[Jo1987hall]

i have had this since i can remember, i am 22 and i never excersise reguraly which is why i thought this was because i need to excersise more, i told my doctors about this when i was also having depression issues and we decided the best way forward for me was to start excersizing, when i told him of the bubbles he wanted to send me for a blood test and being scared of needles i said i would try the exersises and see if it helped, i now walk an hour to work and back everyday and i seem to be getting it more than before, i am also getting a numb ache in my left leg alot even when i have done nothing, i am going to go back to the doctors for a blood test to be sure everything is ok. but is nice to see i am not alone in  this.

[Dr Vinod]

Hello!
I would suggest you to explain your symptoms perfectly with the Orthopedician. Do not get scared for blood tests, they have to be done if they are required and they would help your case to be diagnosed.
Also check your blood pressure, blood hemoglobin and blood sugar.
Take care!

[donwan1]

This is the first time I have actually found something online regarding popcorn thighs!  So glad to find this forum.

I have read all your posts and have found a common thread with several of us.  Low blood pressure issues.  I have numerous health issues as well and just wondered if people would post a brief health bio so we could compare notes...  

I've been experiencing this popcorn sensation for several years and actually brought it up to my doctor as well.  He looked at me like I was nuts and said he had no clue...  

So here's my health bio.

I have been diagnosed or had issues with the following:
1. Postural Hypotension (Low blood pressure) At times blacking out, passing out, seizure type jerking.
2. Fibromyalgia/Chronic Fatigue
3. Benign Hasimoto's Thyroid Disease (Had Thyroid removed 24 yrs ago)
4. Bowel Disease
5. Rheumatoid Arthritis/Osteoarthritis
6. Migraines
7. Meniere's Disease (Inner ear issue causing Roaring or ringing in ears as well as vertigo)
8. Numerous Allergies
9. TMJ
10. Anxiety (probably due to all of the above- ha ha)

I'm forwarding our info to my nephew at Cal Poly so he can research and try and get some answers for us. Might take a few months but I will post any info available as soon as possible.  

[2ssmom]

I have the "popping" sensation after walking as well.  It feels good, I just assumed it was increased blood flow, when I normally sit all day at work.  I also typically have low blood pressure.  Interesting.

[kasibug]

That popping feeling is called Fasciculation. When you work your muscles they contract and the blood vessels dilate. When you are done exercising and your body is returning to a normal state the twitching can occur. It should go away shortly after you
finish your workout. This is normal after a good walk or jog..and usually sitting to rest. The feeling results in a "popcorn" feeling at the skins surface.