Questions About Leg Pain

Causes of leg pains and aches are as varied as the types of pain that can be experienced.

Pain and aches in the legs can possibly occur due to ailments that affect bones, joints, muscles, tendons, soft tissues, blood vessels, nerves, or dermis (Skin). Leg aches and pains may occur in the foot, ankle, knee, behind the knee, thigh, along the back of the leg, or in any area of the leg.

Leg pains and aches could occur at night, in colder weather, while lying down, while running or exercising, based on the cause (Trigger). Depending upon the trigger, leg pain can occur in one leg only or in both legs. Typically, the leg pain is a consequence of tissue inflammation that is triggered by injuries or diseases.

Both injury or chronic disease can trigger inflammation to any one of the tissues of the leg and lead to leg ache. Since the leg contains a several unique structures and tissue types, a wide range of health conditions and injuries can cause leg pain.

If your leg is chronic or sporadic but severe, you need to get the problem diagnosed properly, get the actual cause of the problem treated and possibly become and stay pain free.

Depending upon the cause of the pain, additional symptoms, such as weakness, feeling numb, throbbing, muscle cramps, aching, or a prickling sensation, may come with leg pain. Diabetic neuropathy (nerve damages from diabetes) is a frequent cause of tingling, burning, and feeling numb in the legs that may at times be painful.

With regard to diagnostic and therapeutic purposes, it is important to distinguish between the exact type and specific location of any pain in the legs during your examination. Peripheral artery issues can cause claudication, or pain that occurs in the legs usually when walking or working out.

Blood clots (deep vein thrombosis) may be an additional cause of leg pain. Pain in the knee and ankle joints of the leg is common with the osteoarthritis conditions. The pain of sciatica (from disc disease of the vertebrae) may radiate down the leg and is another typical cause of leg pain.

Regarding Leg Pain and the Sciatic Nerve:

Sciatica is defined as a intense pain in a leg that coincides with the route of the sciatic nerve.

The pain is experienced in the back of the leg running from the butt descending down the rear of the upper leg into the calf and possibly the foot.

Sciatica may result from any process which causes pressure or irritation of the nerve roots which compromise the sciatic nerve. This pressure may result from a variety of processes such as a ruptured intervertebral disc, narrowing of the bony spinal canal (called spinal stenosis), or rarely from infection or tumor.

Sciatica may be caused by any type of process that creates pressure resulting in inflammation of the nerve roots which weaken the sciatic nerve. This stress can result from a range of processes such as a ruptured disc, constricting of the skeletal spinal canal, (This condition is known as: spinal stenosis), or rarely, from infection, cyst or tumor.

Sciatic Nerve Leg Pain can be treated by Chiropractic VERY Effectively!

Over-the-counter (OTC) non-steroid anti-inflammation drugs (NSAIDs) can assist in reducing swelling and relieving some of your pain. You have plenty to choose from. You can use acetaminophen (eg, Tylenol), ibuprofen (eg, Advil), or naproxen (eg, Aleve).

But beware the possible side effects. Many OTC pain relievers list constipation among the side effects.

CONSTIPATION: When blockage becomes significantly backed up, pressure on the lower back (And coccyx) can increase and more pain can be the result. Since the body will continue to produce waste, the pain can increase if the impaction is not eliminated. We recommend our patients do NOT take any OTC Pain Relief drug that list constipation as a possible side effect.

We address questions regarding Knee and Foot Pain in the following 2 FAQ Sections.

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Try Another Section:

• • General Questions About Chiropractic
• • Questions About Dr. Steve Jones and his Practice
• • Questions About Headache Pain, Causes and Treatment
• • Questions About Neck Pain, Causes and Treatment
• • Questions About Shoulder Pain, Causes and Treatment
• • Questions About Back Pain, Causes and Treatment
• • Questions About Leg Pain, Causes and Treatment (You are here)
• • Questions About Knee Pain Causes and Treatments
• • Questions About Foot Pain Causes and Treatments

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