Leg Pain Archives - Foot Palace

Hamstring Strain Rehab

October 20, 2020 By Heather

Prevent a hamstring injury from stealing your mobility and active lifestyle. Knowing how to heal from a hamstring strain/pull will help you quickly get back to your normal activities.

yourfootpalace.com gathered information on what a hamstring strain is, symptoms, and what you can do to recover from it.

What is a Hamstring Strain?

A hamstring injury is the overexertion or overextension of hamstring muscles, resulting in a strain or tear to this group of muscles and tendons at the back of the thigh (the muscles that allow you to bend your leg at the knee). This is a very common injury in athletes and those who exercise frequently. The following are three grades of a hamstring injury:

Grade 1 – Mild muscle/tendon pull or strain
Grade 2 – Partial muscle/tendon tear
Grade 3 – Complete muscle/tendon rupture

Grade 1 injuries generally heal within a few days to 2 weeks, with rest and proper physical therapy. Grade 2 and 3 injuries may take several weeks or months to heal, with medical supervision, possible surgery, rest, and physical therapy.

Symptoms of a Hamstring Strain

You can generally identify a hamstring strain by the following symptoms:

Sudden and/or sharp pain in the back of your thigh
You may feel a “popping” or “tearing” sensation in the back of your thigh
Swelling and/or tenderness develop in the injured area within a few hours
Bruising or discoloration may occur along the back of your leg
Muscle weakness
Inability to put weight on your injured leg

Mild or grade 1 hamstring strains can usually be treated at home. More severe strains or grade 2 and 3 (cannot bear any weight on your injured leg or inability to walk 3 or 4 steps without feeling significant pain) should be seen by your doctor or primary care physician.

Hamstring Strain Recovery

Depending on your hamstring injury’s severity, recovery may take days, weeks, or even months. When you suffer a completely torn hamstring, recovery may require several months of rest and slow rehabilitation to fully recover.

Hamstring Strain Initial Treatment

During the first 72 hours after sustaining a hamstring strain, RICE therapy should be used to care for your injury:

REST – Immobilize your leg, avoiding any/all physical activity. In situations where you must move, crutches or a cane can be used to avoid aggravating your injury.

ICE – Apply a cold pack (a frozen bottle of water thinly wrapped in a towel will also work) directly to your hamstring for +/- 20 minutes every 2 to 3 hours. Avoid applying ice directly to your skin.

COMPRESSION – Use compression garments, bandages, or both around the injured thigh to reduce swelling and movement that could result in further injury.

ELEVATION – Reduce swelling by keeping your leg raised (above waist level) and comfortably supported as much as possible.

Pain relievers in the form of sports creams, gels, patches, and medicated wraps may help relieve or reduce the pain. Short-term use of oral NSAIDs, like ibuprofen, may help to reduce inflammation.

Disclaimer: Always check with your doctor or primary care physician before using any form of medication (topical or oral).

Hamstring Strain Recovery Exercises

Returning to sports activities or strenuous exercise too quickly could aggravate or worsen your injury. However, avoiding stretch and exercise for too long may result in the shrinking of your hamstring muscles and scar tissue formation around the initial injury.

For grade 1 strains, you should be able to start doing gentle stretches and mild exercises after a few days or when the pain begins to subside. For grade 2 or 3 strains, you may have to wait weeks or months (in severe cases) to begin stretches or exercises under the supervision of a physiotherapist. The following exercises will help you on your way to reintroducing load, tolerance, and mobility to the hamstrings:

Hamstring Bridge

Lie on your back with your hips bent and your feet flat, lined up with your shoulders.
Lift both hips from the floor.
Hold the bridge position for a few seconds and return to the starting position.
Walk your feet out 1 step away from your body.
Lift both hips from the floor.
Hold the bridge position for a few seconds and return to the starting position.
Repeat steps 4, 5, and 6 two more times.
Return to the original position and start again.

Hamstring Curls

Lie face down with your knees straight.
Lift the foot of your strained leg by bending your knee so that you bring your foot up toward your hips. If this exercise hurts, try bending your leg less.
Slowly raise and lower your leg.
Repeat 10 to 12 times.

Hamstring Isometrics

This exercise is identical to hamstring curls except using your foot (on your unaffected leg) to hook the affected leg and provide resistance to the curling motion.

Start with mild resistance and increase as you can tolerate it.

Hamstring Extenders

Lie on your back, holding your affected thigh with both hands (use a towel if necessary).
Your opposite leg remains straight.
With your upper thigh in a vertical position, slowly extend your knee (bringing your foot upward).
When you feel a mild stretch, pause, and hold.
Extend your knee further, pause, and hold again.
Repeat this exercise in three sets of ten repetitions daily.

Note: None of the above or other recommended stretches should be painful. The gentle stretching of your hamstring is highly beneficial for recovery.

Watch this video to see how these exercises are performed.

Hamstring Injury Recovery

Physical activity and exercise should begin gradually, as you increase weight load on the affected leg without experiencing pain. The following will help you strengthen your hamstring as you recover:

Walk – Take it slow and increase your speed and distance incrementally. If you need to use a cane or crutches to walk, it is likely too soon for this level of exertion.

Ride a Bike – If you can, start with an exercise bike before moving on to a bicycle. Again, start slow and build up resistance incrementally.

Yoga – Return to or start regular yoga exercises.

Massage – As your leg heals, you may get a sense of stiffness or soreness. A gentle massage to the thigh or a reflexology massage can help these sensations subside.

Hamstring Strain

In this article, you discovered information about hamstring strains, identifying symptoms, and how to recover from the injury.

Knowing what to do when you pull or strain your hamstring will help you minimize the time it takes to recover from this injury.

Trying to force your way back into your regular activities after a hamstring injury can worsen the injury, severe pain, and potential surgical intervention.

Sources:
mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hamstring-injury/symptoms-causes/syc-20372985
healthy.kaiserpermanente.org/health-wellness/health-encyclopedia/he.hamstring-strain-rehab-exercises.bo1577
hss.edu/conditions_hamstring-injuries.asp
nhs.uk/conditions/hamstring-injury/

Foot Palace Massage Spa Athens

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(706) 521-5290

Foot Palace Massage Spa Braselton

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(678) 963-5958

How To Get Rid of Sciatica Pain

July 20, 2020 By Heather

If sciatica nerve pain is negatively impacting your life, you’ll be glad to hear you can keep it from robbing you of comfort, mobility, anquality of life. By knowing how to deal with sciatica, you can significantly reduce the time it takes for the pain to subside.

yourfootpalace.com gathered information about what sciatica pain is, how to get rid of it, and what causes it.

What Is Sciatica Pain?

Sciatica, also called lumbar radiculopathy, is defined as pain that radiates along the path of the sciatic nerve (the largest nerve in the human body). This nerve originates from the lumbar spine, descends the lower back, vertically crosses through the buttocks (over the hips), runs down each leg, and ends just below the knees. Sciatica will typically affect only one side of your body. Common symptoms include:

Inflammation of the affected hip and leg
Radiating pain down the hip and leg
Pins and needles sensation
Burning
Muscle weakness
Numbness
Electric-like jolt
Hip pain
Pain when sitting, standing, or both

Sciatic nerve pain shares several symptoms with meralgia paresthetica. To understand how these conditions differ, read yourfootpalace.com/meralgia-paresthetica-symptoms-causes-diagnosis-treatment/

Sciatica Pain Relief

Relief from most sciatica pain can be found through stretches that externally rotate the hip and frequent massages. If you are familiar with Yoga, the following stretches will also be familiar to you. If not, it will take very little time to get used to them. Consider the following stretches and massages:

Reclining Pigeon Pose – This is the first of the pigeon poses used to open the hips. Begin by lying flat on your back, then:

Raise your right leg up, bent at the knee to form a right angle, and clasp your hands behind the thigh to hold your leg in place
Raise your left leg with your foot flat on the floor, placing your right ankle upon your left knee
Hold the position for a minimum of 30 seconds
Repeat the stretch with the left leg

This pose helps to stretch the piriformis muscle, which can become inflamed, press against the sciatic nerve, and cause pain.

Sitting Pigeon Pose – For this and the following pigeon pose, you may want to work with a physical therapist until you are comfortable with them on your own. Begin by sitting on the floor with your legs stretched straight out in front of you, then:

Sciatic nerve pain relief using the sitting pigeon yoga pose

Bend your right leg outward, resting your right ankle on top of your left knee
Slowly lean forward and allow your upper body to descend toward your thigh.
Hold the position for 30 seconds
Repeat the stretch with the left leg

This stretch targets the lower back and glutes. If you feel that you need back support for this stretch, begin by sitting with your back to a wall or your sofa.

Forward Pigeon Pose – For this pose, kneel on the floor on your hands and knees, use a mat to cushion your knees, then:

Lift your right leg and move it forward on the ground in front of your body. Your left leg should be on the ground, horizontal to the body. Your right foot should be in front of your left knee with your right knee to the right.
Stretch the left leg out behind you on the floor, with the toes tucked under your foot.
Shift your body weight gradually from your arms to your legs so that your legs are supporting your weight. Breathe in and sit up straight with your hands on either side of your legs.
While exhaling, lean your chest forward over your left leg. Support as much of your weight as possible with your arms
Repeat the stretch with the left leg

Watch the following video demonstrating the forward pigeon pose.

Seated Piriformis Stretch – For those who have found extreme difficulty in doing floor stretches, here is one you can do in a chair:

Sitting in a chair with your back straight, cross your sore leg over the knee of your other leg
While keeping your back straight, bend your chest forward
If you don’t feel pain, bend forward a little more
Hold this position (as far forward as you can go) for about 30 seconds
Repeat the stretch with your other leg

Watch this video to see a variation of this stretch.

Massage – One of the most beneficial results of having a massage is the relief from tension and discomfort caused by pinched or compressed nerves. The following techniques may help you overcome the debilitating pain of sciatica:

Reflexology (uses pressure points in the hands and feet to effectively treat the pain and relieve the compression or irritation on the sciatic nerve)
Neuromuscular (combines deep tissue pressure and friction)
Swedish (uses flowing, kneading movements)
Hot Stone (uses heated stones to promote relaxation and ease tense muscles)
Myofascial Release (relieves pain stemming from your myofascial tissues)
Deep Tissue (slow strokes with deep finger pressure)

Note: While experiencing severe or debilitating pain, it is highly recommended to consult your primary care physician and physical therapist before resuming a regular fitness schedule. Some repetitious exercises may exacerbate the pain and discomfort caused by sciatica.

What Causes Sciatica?

Sciatica occurs when the sciatic nerve is pinched. The following are some of the conditions that frequently lead to sciatica:

Blood clot
Pregnancy (causes pressure and stress on the pelvic region, hips, and lower back)
Herniated or ruptured disk (can compress the sciatic nerve)
Bone spur (on your vertebrae)
Tissue or tumor growth (can compress the sciatic nerve)
Spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal column)
Degenerative disc disease (conditions or medications that weaken vertebrae)
Spondylolisthesis (when a vertebra slips forward)
Osteoporosis (weakening of the bones)
Piriformis syndrome (the inflammation of the piriformis muscle located in the buttocks)

Some of the common risk factors include:

Obesity
Occupation
Diabetes
Bad Posture
Prolonged sitting
Physical inactivity

Regular exercise and proper sitting posture are two of the ways you can protect your back and potentially prevent sciatica.

Read more about posture at yourfootpalace.com/how-to-make-good-posture-habit/

Sciatica Treatment

Most people can recover from sciatica without medical treatment. However, sciatica can potentially leave you with permanent nerve damage. Seek immediate medical attention if you:

Have a high fever
Feel weak in the affected leg
Lose feeling in the affected leg
Lose bladder or bowel function
Have a recurrence of sciatica (after successful treatment)
Develop back pain and have a history of cancer

Note: The majority of treatment for sciatica pain is nonsurgical. That said, it is strongly recommended that you and your primary care physician develop a plan for recovery (including over-the-counter pain medication and physical therapy). All while eliminating potentially grave contributors to your condition.

Getting Rid of Sciatica Pain

In this article, you discovered what sciatic nerve pain is, stretches to alleviate it, what causes it, and when to seek medical attention.

By using simple stretches and knowing when to seek medical help, you can avoid permanent nerve damage and chronic pain caused by sciatica.

Allowing sciatic nerve pain to go unchecked or untreated may result in the unnecessary prolonging of suffering and, in worst-case scenarios, permanent nerve damage with chronic pain.

Sources:
mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sciatica/symptoms-causes/syc-20377435
health.harvard.edu/blog/taming-pain-sciatica-people-time-heals-less-2017071212048
cedars-sinai.org/health-library/diseases-and-conditions/s/sciatica.html
urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?contenttypeid=85&contentid=P01382

Foot Palace Massage Spa Athens

196 Alps Rd Ste 31, Athens, GA 30606
(706) 521-5290

Foot Palace Massage Spa Braselton

2095 Highway 211 NW Suite 7B, Braselton, GA 30517
(678) 963-5958

How Massage Can Relieve Your Peripheral Neuropathy Pain

August 23, 2019 By Heather

Does your peripheral neuropathy pain have you immobile and living a restricted quality of life? Through massage, you can ease the symptoms of this debilitating condition.

yourfootpalace.com gathered information about peripheral neuropathy, its symptoms, causes, and how massage can alleviate your pain.

What is Peripheral Neuropathy

Peripheral neuropathy is a condition resulting from damaged or diseased nerves that relay information to and from the brain and spinal cord, from and to the body’s skin, muscles, and internal organs.

In the United States, over 3 million new cases of peripheral neuropathy are identified annually. Currently, there is no cure for this condition, but some treatments can help.

Symptoms – Depending on the type of nerves affected, symptoms may vary. The following include symptoms from motor nerves (muscle movement), autonomic nerves (internal organs and processes), and sensory nerves (sensations like heat and touch);

• Numbness or tingling
• Sharp pain
• Extreme skin sensitivity
• Muscle weakness
• Paralysis
• Changes in blood pressure
• Heat intolerance
• Loss of coordination
• Bowel and bladder problems

Seek immediate medical attention if you experience pain, weakness, or unusual tingling sensations in your hands or feet that spread to your arms or legs.

Causes – There are many ways that nerves can be or become damaged, including external, internal, and hereditary influences. The following are potential causes for peripheral neuropathy:

• Diabetes
• Chemotherapy
• Kidney failure
• Alcoholism
• Hereditary disorders
• Tumors
• Autoimmune diseases
• Trauma or pressure
• Vitamin deficiencies
• Injuries
• Surgery

Sometimes, no cause can be found and is referred to as idiopathic neuropathy.

Massage Therapy for Peripheral Neuropathy Pain Relief

There are many types of massage used to treat stress, anxiety, pain, neuropathy, and illness. Below are some of the techniques that can relieve the symptoms of peripheral neuropathy:

• Connective Tissue Massage or Fascial Stretch – Connective tissue massage involves working with the body’s fascia, or soft tissue, to relieve pain, stiffness, and discomfort. Some benefits include pain reduction, tension relief, increased mobility, and stress reduction.

• Massotherapy – Massotherapy focuses primarily on the muscles. Massotherapy benefits include improved circulation and pain management.

• Reflexology – Reflexology is based on a map of pressure points on the hands, feet, and ears that correspond to specific areas of the body. Similar to acupressure, applying appropriate pressure to these points can stimulate the flow of energy throughout the body. Benefits include increased blood flow, pain relief, eased stress, and profound relaxation.

For more information about the application and benefits of reflexology, visit yourfootpalace.com/reflexologist-massage-in-athens-ga/

• Lymph Drainage Therapy (LDT) – This technique uses light, rhythmic strokes to promote the body’s lymph system health. Benefits include reduced inflammation or edemas and pain relief from neuropathy.

• Neuromuscular Therapy (NMT) – NMT is a massage technique applied to specific muscles to increase blood flow, ease muscle tension, or release pain/pressure on nerves.

If massage therapy fails to alleviate the symptoms of your condition, your primary care physician may recommend medical treatment.

Peripheral Neuropathy Medical Treatment

Medical treatment for peripheral neuropathy involves managing or targeting the condition causing the neuropathy and relieving the symptoms.

Depending on the type and cause of your neuropathy, one or a combination of the following treatments may be suggested or prescribed you:

Topical Treatment – Medicated creams and patches may be used to offer some pain relief.

Pain Relievers – Over-the-counter medication, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs that reduce pain, lower fever, prevent blood clots, and decrease inflammation.

In more severe cases, your doctor may prescribe painkillers such as tramadol, or oxycodone. As these drugs can lead to addiction and dependence, they are generally prescribed only when other treatments fail.

Antidepressants – Some tricyclic antidepressants, such as amitriptyline and nortriptyline, can help relieve neuropathy pain. They do this by interfering with the chemical processes occurring in your brain and spinal cord, causing you to feel pain.

Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) – This procedure involves electrodes placed on the skin (in the affected area) that deliver an electric current at varying frequencies.

Physical Therapy – For muscle weakness, physical therapy may improve your movements. In more severe cases, you may need physical therapy to learn how to use hand or foot braces, a walker, or even a wheelchair.

Surgery – If your neuropathy is caused by pressure on nerves by tumors or abnormal growths, surgery may be a viable option to reduce or relieve that pressure.

Massage therapy may be used in conjunction with medical treatments (when cleared by your physician) to target specific conditions or symptoms.

It is always recommended to consult your primary care physician before using any type of therapy or medication to relieve the symptoms of neuropathy. The misuse or consumption of inaccurate doses of medication can potentially worsen or compound the underlying cause.

Neuropathy Pain and Treatment

Peripheral neuropathy can cause severe pain and discomfort that may leave you with a sense of instability and lead to grave health consequences. You can find relief from pain and relieve the symptoms of this condition by understanding neuropathy and how to treat it.

In this article, you discovered what peripheral neuropathy is, what symptoms to watch for, the various causes of the condition, and treatment options that can aid in your recovery.

Your immediate action to seek medical assistance at the first sign of neuropathy symptoms can avert the worsening of the condition and its development into something far worse.

Sources:
foundationforpn.org/what-is-peripheral-neuropathy/causes/
piedmont.org/living-better/benefits-of-hand-and-foot-massage-for-neuropathy
mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/peripheral-neuropathy/symptoms-causes/syc-20352061

Foot Palace Massage Spa Athens

196 Alps Rd Ste 31, Athens, GA 30606
(706) 521-5290

Foot Palace Massage Spa Braselton

2095 Highway 211 NW Suite 7B, Braselton, GA 30517
(678) 963-5958

Meralgia Paresthetica Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment

July 21, 2019 By Heather

Has that pain in your outer thigh made you unsure of your balance and afraid to take a step? What you are experiencing may be a condition called meralgia paresthetica, and with a few adjustments, you can be firmly on your feet in no time.

yourfootpalace.com gathered information about meralgia paresthetica, its symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and how to treat it.

What is Meralgia Paresthetica

Meralgia paresthetica is a medical condition resulting from the compression of either the right or left lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (LFCN), a sensory nerve to the skin on the outer thigh.

Meralgia Paresthetica Symptoms

While the symptoms of meralgia paresthetica may vary from person to person, the following are common indicators of the condition:

• Pain or discomfort along the outer thigh, sometimes extending to the knee
• Stabbing, burning, aching, tingling, or numbness in the thigh
• Shakiness or instability when standing after long periods of sitting or lying down
• Worsening pain after walking or standing for long periods
• Worsening pain when the thigh is lightly touched
• Pain occasionally spreading to the groin and buttocks

While meralgia paresthetica can occur on both the right and left sides of the body, it occurs most commonly on only one side or the other.

Meralgia Paresthetica Causes

This condition is caused when the right or left LFCN has been compressed or squeezed. Compression of this nerve can occur due to:

• Obesity or weight gain
• Wearing a heavy utility or tool belt
• Scar tissue from injury or surgery near the inguinal ligament
• Wearing tight clothing like belts, corsets and tight pants
• Pregnancy
• Complications from diabetes
• Accidents or injuries involving the hip area
• Seatbelt injury from an automobile accident
• Exposure to lead paint
• Age (those between the ages of 30 and 60 are at higher risk)

This nerve usually passes from the spine, through the groin area, and to the upper thigh without trouble. But when the LFCN becomes trapped – often under the inguinal ligament, which runs along the groin from the abdomen to the upper thigh – meralgia paresthetica can occur.

For most, retracing steps and actions to pinpoint the cause of a physical ailment is a crucial step to prevent its reoccurrence. With meralgia paresthetica however, this may not be so easy. Compression of the LFCN may not be felt immediately, and symptoms may slowly increase in intensity.

Meralgia Paresthetica Diagnosis

In the majority of cases, your primary care physician can diagnose meralgia paresthetica by performing a physical exam and evaluating your medical history. You may be asked to describe the pain and identify the affected area of your thigh.

The following tests may be administered to rule out other causes of the symptoms:

• Reflex testing
• Strength testing
• Imaging studies
• CT scan or MRI (when a tumor is suspected)
• Electromyography (measures the electrical discharges produced in muscles)
• Nerve conduction study (electrodes are placed on the skin to stimulate the nerve)
• Nerve blockade (involves an anesthetic injection into the thigh)

Once correctly diagnosed, a focused treatment plan can begin.

Meralgia Paresthetica Treatment

In most cases, meralgia paresthetica symptoms will ease after 6 to 8 weeks. During that time, treatment focuses on relieving nerve compression by:

• Losing excess weight
• Wearing loose clothing
• Using OTC pain relievers (as suggested by a pharmacist or primary care physician)
• Avoiding strenuous exercises
• Avoiding long periods of standing or walking

If symptoms persist longer than 8 weeks or the pain is severe, treatment may include:

• Corticosteroid injections that reduce inflammation and temporarily relieve pain.
• Tricyclic antidepressants. This type of medication might relieve pain.
• Gabapentin (Gralise, Neurontin), phenytoin (Dilantin), or pregabalin (Lyrica). These are anti-seizure medications that might help lessen painful symptoms.

Surgery is rarely performed to decompress the nerve and is only considered for people with severe and long-lasting symptoms.

Leg Pain and Meralgia Paresthetica

Leg pain caused by meralgia paresthetica can make you second guess your upright stability and increase the chances of injury by falling.

In this article, you discovered what meralgia paresthetica is, how to identify its symptoms, understand its causes, how doctors reach a diagnosis, and how to treat it.

Your procrastination to see a doctor when you experience severe or debilitating leg pain puts you at risk of exacerbating not only meralgia paresthetica but any underlying and potentially grave illnesses or conditions.

Sources:
https://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/diseases/9417/meralgia-paresthetica
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17959-meralgia-paresthetica
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/meralgia-paresthetica/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20355639

Foot Palace Massage Spa Athens

196 Alps Rd Ste 31, Athens, GA 30606
(706) 521-5290

Foot Palace Massage Spa Braselton

2095 Highway 211 NW Suite 7B, Braselton, GA 30517
(678) 963-5958

Why Do Both of My Legs Hurt?

March 21, 2019 By Heather

Don’t ignore the pain in your legs, it could be a ticking time-bomb! Leg pain is often an indication that a grave health issue is developing.

When you have pain in your legs while resting or lying down for no apparent reason, this may be an indication that something is wrong in the nervous or vascular system. Sudden, severe, or persistent pain such as this should be evaluated by your physician before it evolves into a full-blown emergency or worse.

yourfootpalace.com gathered information about leg pain, its causes, threats, and treatments, then answers several frequently asked questions.

My Legs Hurt

Unless it’s the morning after leg day at the gym, stiffness and pain in your legs is not a good sign. When the following happen frequently, it’s an indication that should lead to a conversation with your doctor:

• Regularly waking up in the middle of the night with leg or foot cramps.
• Numbness or muscle pain in your legs in the morning.
• Discomfort or pain in your legs after sitting for a while.
• Rapid loss of leg muscle definition accompanied by pain and/or discomfort.
• Spontaneous bruising on the legs and/or feet.
• Frequent or lasting numbness of any portion of the legs or feet, and especially the toes.

Any of these symptoms appearing spontaneously and for no apparent reason are cause for great concern.

Leg Pain Causes

Leg pain may occur from:

• Dehydration.
• Natural wear and tear.
• Injuries to bones or joints.
• Injuries to tendons, ligaments, muscles, or soft tissue.
• Overuse (prolonged strenuous activities).
• Stress.
• Vitamin deficiency.
• Neuropathy (nerve damage)
• Problems in the lower spine.
• Use of tight or heavy belts.
• Sciatica.

Sciatica is shooting pain that runs from the lower back, through the buttocks, and down the back of the leg. Pressure on the sciatic nerve is one probable cause and is commonly seen in men who carry large wallets in their back pocket. The pain will often subside by relieving the pressure on the nerve.

The following causes are generally associated with poor circulation:

• Varicose Veins
• DVT or Deep Vein Thrombosis (blood clots forming in veins deep within the body and not always accompanied by symptoms).
• PAD or Peripheral Artery Disease (the narrowing of peripheral arteries that serve the head, stomach, arms, and legs)
• CAD or Coronary Artery Disease (the hardening or narrowing of the arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle)

Both PAD and CAD can be caused by atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is an accumulation of cholesterol plaque along the walls of arteries. This accumulation causes the obstruction of normal blood flow, and when these plaques rupture, they can cause an acute blockage of the artery.

When pain and discomfort in either or both legs are caused by varicose veins, DVT, PAD, CAD, or a combination of them, immediate medical treatment should be sought.

What Can Leg Pain Lead to?

Sudden, severe, or persistent leg pain should never, ever be ignored. If left untreated, leg pain may lead to:

• Blood clots traveling to the lungs.
• Stress on the heart.
• Fatigue.
• Amputation.
• Stroke.
• Potential heart failure.
• Death.

While the majority of leg pain experiences are passing in nature, they should never be ignored.

Leg Pain Treatment

In cases of leg pain due to exercise, overuse, injuries, or neuropathy, the following may offer some relief:

• Avoid wearing constrictive clothing.
• Keep yourself well-hydrated.
• Get a massage.
• Apply cold compresses.
• Get some rest.

When the pain is sudden, severe, or persistent, seek immediate medical attention. Ignoring this type of leg pain may lead to serious health consequences.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: Is leg pain a sign of cancer?
Answer: Possibly. If bone cancer is the cause, the pain may cause a dull or deep ache in a bone region like the pelvis, ribs, arms, and legs. In this scenario, weight loss and fatigue will often accompany the pain.

Question: Can a person die from peripheral artery disease?
Answer: Yes. PAD can cause kidney failure, lead to foot or leg amputation, and because of atherosclerosis, many people suffering from PAD will die from a heart attack, sudden cardiac arrest, or stroke.

As PAD often shows no symptoms, mature adults should be tested during regular medical checkups.

Question: Can a vitamin deficiency cause leg pain?
Answer: Yes. Some symptoms of a vitamin D deficiency may include fatigue and muscle aches or weakness.

Question: Does magnesium help aching legs?
Answer: Potentially. Another common cause of leg cramps and pain is magnesium deficiency. A primary symptom of a magnesium deficiency in the body is cramps, spasms, pain, and aches in the legs and feet.

Seek medical advice before adding or removing dietary supplements from your diet.

Question: What is restless leg syndrome (RLS)?
Answer: Restless leg syndrome or RLS is a condition which causes an uncontrollable urge to move your legs when resting. RLS can be treated by medication prescribed by your primary care physician.

Pay Attention to Your Aching Legs

Frequent or severe leg pain when resting may be an indication of a severe internal medical condition and should not be neglected.

In this article, you discovered what causes leg pain, the threats it may represent, some treatments for it, and answers to frequently asked questions.

Ignoring the sudden, sharp, or persistent pain you feel in your legs may lead to serious medical issues including chronic fatigue, amputation, stroke, or death. This type of pain should be addressed immediately, as part of successful treatment depends on early detection.

Sources:
https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/Patient-Caregiver-Education/Fact-Sheets/Restless-Legs-Syndrome-Fact-Sheet#3
https://www.health.harvard.edu/pain/when-walking-makes-your-legs-hurt
https://www.seniorliving.org/health/causes-leg-pain/
https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/ischemic-heart-disease
https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/consumer-healthcare/what-is-cardiovascular-disease/coronary-artery-disease
https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/coronary_ad.htm

Foot Palace Massage Spa Athens

196 Alps Rd Ste 31, Athens, GA 30606
(706) 521-5290

Foot Palace Massage Spa Braselton

2095 Highway 211 NW Suite 7B, Braselton, GA 30517
(678) 963-5958