What are the common causes of leg pain while walking. How can you identify symptoms of peripheral artery disease. What treatments are available for walking-related leg pain. How to prevent and manage plantar fasciitis.

Understanding Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)

Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) is a condition that affects the blood vessels outside the heart and brain. It occurs when arteries in the legs become narrowed or blocked, reducing blood flow to the limbs. This can lead to various symptoms and complications if left untreated.

Why is PAD often overlooked? Many people mistake the symptoms for normal aging or muscle soreness, which can delay diagnosis and treatment. According to Laurie Lowther, director of Lake Regional’s Wound Healing Center, “Peripheral artery disease is a common problem, but many people don’t realize they have it. The symptoms can be subtle, especially in the early stages.”

Common Symptoms of PAD

• Cramping or pain in the legs and buttocks during activity
• Fatigue or heaviness in the legs
• Chronic toe or foot sores
• Numbness in the extremities
• Weakness in the calf muscle
• Cold legs and feet
• Feet that turn pale when elevated

Is leg pain always a sign of PAD? Not necessarily, but if you experience these symptoms, especially during physical activity, it’s crucial to consult your doctor for a proper evaluation.

Risk Factors for PAD

Several factors can increase your risk of developing peripheral artery disease:

• Diabetes (especially in people over 50)
• Smoking
• High blood pressure
• Abnormal cholesterol levels
• Being overweight
• Physical inactivity
• Personal or family history of heart disease, heart attack, or stroke

How does diabetes affect PAD risk? The American Diabetes Association reports that approximately one out of three people over 50 with diabetes also have PAD, highlighting the strong connection between these conditions.

Diagnosing and Treating Peripheral Artery Disease

Early diagnosis and treatment of PAD are crucial for preventing complications and improving quality of life. Healthcare providers use various methods to diagnose this condition.

Diagnostic Tests for PAD

One common test for PAD is the ankle-brachial index (ABI). How does the ABI test work? Lowther explains, “The ABI test compares the blood pressure in the legs to the blood pressure in the arms. This can reveal problems with circulation.”

For people with diabetes over 50, the American Diabetes Association recommends having an ABI test to screen for PAD, even in the absence of symptoms.

Treatment Options for PAD

Once diagnosed, there are several approaches to treating peripheral artery disease:

1. Lifestyle changes (e.g., regular exercise, quitting smoking)
2. Medications to reduce blood pressure, control cholesterol, or manage diabetes
3. Improved foot care to reduce the risk of non-healing injuries
4. Advanced therapies in more severe cases

Why is foot care important for PAD patients? Lowther emphasizes, “When you have reduced blood flow to your feet and legs, even scrapes and injuries can more easily lead to serious infection.”

Common Walking-Related Leg Pain: Plantar Fasciitis

While peripheral artery disease is a serious condition affecting leg health, many people experience leg and foot pain due to more common causes related to walking and exercise. One such condition is plantar fasciitis.

Understanding Plantar Fasciitis

What is plantar fasciitis? It’s a condition affecting the plantar fascia, a band of tissue that runs from your heel bone to the ball of your foot. This tissue acts as both a shock absorber and arch support.

How does plantar fasciitis develop? Teresa Schuemann, a board-certified physical therapist at Proaxis Therapy, explains, “Walkers can overwork the area when pounding the pavement, especially when wearing hard shoes on concrete, because there’s very little give as the foot lands.” The condition can also result from abrupt changes or increases in your walking routine.

Symptoms of Plantar Fasciitis

• Tenderness on the heel or bottom of the foot
• Pain in the heel or arch, especially first thing in the morning
• Stiffness in the foot after periods of inactivity

Why is morning pain a telltale sign of plantar fasciitis? The fascia stiffens during the night, leading to increased pain and discomfort when you first start moving in the morning.

Preventing and Managing Walking-Related Injuries

Whether you’re dealing with plantar fasciitis or trying to prevent other walking-related injuries, there are several strategies you can employ to keep your legs and feet healthy.

Tips for Injury Prevention

1. Wear appropriate footwear with good arch support and cushioning
2. Gradually increase your walking distance and intensity
3. Stretch before and after walking
4. Pay attention to your walking surface and try to vary it when possible
5. Maintain a healthy weight to reduce stress on your feet and legs

How can proper footwear help prevent injuries? The right shoes provide necessary support and cushioning, reducing the impact on your feet and legs during walking. This is especially important when walking on hard surfaces like concrete.

Managing Existing Injuries

If you’re already experiencing foot or leg pain, consider the following management strategies:

• Rest and ice the affected area
• Use over-the-counter pain relievers as needed
• Perform gentle stretches, especially for the calf muscles and plantar fascia
• Consider using orthotic inserts for additional support
• Consult a physical therapist or podiatrist for personalized treatment

When should you seek professional help for walking-related pain? If your pain persists for more than a few days, worsens with activity, or significantly impacts your daily life, it’s time to consult a healthcare provider.

The Importance of Regular Exercise for Leg Health

Despite the potential for injuries, regular walking and exercise remain crucial for maintaining overall health and preventing conditions like peripheral artery disease. The key is to approach exercise safely and consistently.

Benefits of Regular Walking

• Improved cardiovascular health
• Better circulation in the legs and feet
• Increased muscle strength and endurance
• Weight management
• Reduced risk of chronic diseases, including PAD

How does walking improve leg health? Regular walking exercises the muscles in your legs, promoting better blood flow and reducing the risk of conditions like PAD. It also helps maintain a healthy weight, which is important for overall cardiovascular health.

Creating a Safe Walking Routine

To reap the benefits of walking while minimizing the risk of injury, consider the following tips:

1. Start with short walks and gradually increase duration and intensity
2. Listen to your body and rest when needed
3. Incorporate rest days into your routine
4. Mix up your walking routes to engage different muscles and maintain interest
5. Stay hydrated before, during, and after your walks

Why is gradual progression important in a walking routine? Slowly increasing your walking distance and intensity allows your body to adapt, reducing the risk of overuse injuries and ensuring sustainable progress in your fitness journey.

The Role of Nutrition in Leg Health

While exercise is crucial for maintaining healthy legs and preventing conditions like PAD, nutrition also plays a significant role. A balanced diet can help support overall cardiovascular health and reduce the risk of developing leg pain and circulatory issues.

Key Nutrients for Leg Health

• Omega-3 fatty acids: Help reduce inflammation and support heart health
• Vitamin D: Important for muscle function and bone health
• Potassium: Helps regulate blood pressure and supports muscle function
• Magnesium: Aids in muscle relaxation and can help prevent cramps
• Vitamin C: Supports collagen production and blood vessel health

How can diet impact leg health? A balanced diet rich in these nutrients can help improve circulation, reduce inflammation, and support muscle and bone health, all of which contribute to healthier legs and feet.

Dietary Recommendations for Leg Health

1. Incorporate fatty fish like salmon or mackerel for omega-3s
2. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables for vitamins and minerals
3. Choose whole grains over refined carbohydrates
4. Stay hydrated with water and unsweetened beverages
5. Limit sodium intake to help manage blood pressure

Why is hydration important for leg health? Proper hydration helps maintain good circulation and can prevent muscle cramps, which are common causes of leg discomfort during exercise.

When to Seek Medical Attention for Leg Pain

While some leg pain can be managed at home, certain symptoms warrant immediate medical attention. It’s important to recognize these signs to prevent potential complications, especially in cases of peripheral artery disease or other serious conditions.

Red Flags for Leg Pain

• Sudden, severe pain in the leg or foot
• Swelling in one leg, especially if accompanied by warmth and redness
• Pale or bluish skin on the leg or foot
• Leg pain accompanied by shortness of breath or chest pain
• Persistent leg pain that doesn’t improve with rest
• Wounds on the feet or legs that don’t heal

Why are non-healing wounds a concern? In people with PAD or diabetes, poor circulation can significantly impair wound healing, increasing the risk of infection and other complications.

Preparing for Your Doctor’s Visit

If you’re experiencing persistent leg pain or suspect you might have PAD, it’s important to be prepared for your doctor’s appointment. Consider the following steps:

1. Keep a symptom diary, noting when pain occurs and what triggers it
2. Make a list of all medications and supplements you’re taking
3. Prepare questions about your symptoms and potential treatments
4. Be ready to discuss your medical history, including any family history of heart disease or PAD
5. Bring a list of your current exercise habits and any recent changes in activity level

How can a symptom diary help in diagnosis? Detailed information about when and how you experience leg pain can help your doctor determine the underlying cause and develop an appropriate treatment plan.

Remember, early detection and treatment of conditions like peripheral artery disease can significantly improve outcomes and quality of life. Don’t hesitate to seek medical attention if you’re concerned about persistent or severe leg pain.

Aching legs could be more than sore muscles

If walking makes your legs ache or you’ve been told you have poor circulation, it could be a symptom of peripheral artery disease, or PAD.

The peripheral arteries are outside the chest and abdomen and supply blood to the arms and legs. PAD develops when these arteries harden or become clogged with plaque, leaving the arms or legs without adequate blood flow and oxygen. This obstructed blood flow puts a strain on the entire cardiovascular system — including the heart itself — but the problem often goes undiagnosed until there’s major damage.

“Peripheral artery disease is a common problem, but many people don’t realize they have it,” said Laurie Lowther, Lake Regional’s Wound Healing Center director. “The symptoms can be subtle, especially in the early stages. But left untreated, PAD can increase the risk for heart attack or stroke. In some extreme cases, it leads to lower limb amputation. ”

Symptoms

Although PAD can affect the arms, it’s more likely to affect the legs and feet. Symptoms include cramping, fatigue, heaviness, and pain or discomfort in the legs and buttocks, especially during activity. Other symptoms include chronic toe or foot sores; numbness in the extremities; weakness in the calf muscle; cold legs and feet; or feet that turn pale when elevated.

“If you have these signs, talk with your doctor,” Lowther said.

Risk Factors

A major risk factor for PAD is diabetes. In fact, the American Diabetes Association reports an estimated one out of three people older than 50 who have diabetes also have PAD.

Other factors besides diabetes and age that increase an individual’s risk for PAD include smoking, high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol, being overweight, being physically inactive, and having a personal or family history of heart disease, heart attack or stroke.

“The risk factors for PAD are the same as those for heart attack and stroke,” Lowther said. “The good news is the same actions will improve all of these forms of cardiovascular disease.”

Treatments

Treatment options for PAD include lifestyle changes, such as regular exercise and quitting smoking. In addition, a doctor may prescribe medication to reduce blood pressure or to control cholesterol or diabetes.

Improved foot care to reduce the risk of non-healing injuries or advanced therapies may be necessary.

“It’s important to take care of your feet and legs,” Lowther said. “When you have reduced blood flow to your feet and legs, even scrapes and injuries can more easily lead to serious infection.”

Tests

Before treatment can begin, PAD must be diagnosed. Testing for PAD often includes an ankle-brachial index, or ABI.

“The ABI test compares the blood pressure in the legs to the blood pressure in the arms,” Lowther said. “This can reveal problems with circulation.”

The American Diabetes Association recommends that people with diabetes who are older than 50 have an ABI to test for PAD.

“Finding PAD early and treating it can save a limb or even your life,” Lowther said. “If you have concerns, talk with your doctor.”

Why Does It Hurt When I Walk?

We all know that walking is one of the safest, easiest forms of exercise, so why should you bother reading up on the risks?

When left ignored, an innocent foot pain or leg pain can become a chronic problem. Even the smartest walkers can be hobbled as a result of a walking-induced pain or a nagging old exercise injury that walking has aggravated.

As bothersome as the initial problem can be, the real damage is what happens next. You stop exercising, misplace your motivation, and lose muscle tone. To make sure a debilitating walking injury doesn’t prevent you from reaching your fitness goals, we asked leading experts for advice on how to avoid aches and treat the most common walking pains.

1. Plantar fasciitis

What it feels like: Tenderness on your heel or bottom of foot

What it is: The plantar fascia is the band of tissue that runs from your heel bone to the ball of your foot. When this dual-purpose shock absorber and arch support is strained, small tears develop and the tissue stiffens as a protective response, causing foot pain.

“Walkers can overwork the area when pounding the pavement, especially when you wear hard shoes on concrete, because there’s very little give as the foot lands,” says Teresa Schuemann, a board-certified physical therapist at Proaxis Therapy in Fort Collins, CO.

Inflammation can also result from any abrupt change or increase in your normal walking routine. People with high arches or who walk on the insides of their feet (known as pronating) are particularly susceptible. You know you have plantar fasciitis if you feel pain in your heel or arch first thing in the morning, because the fascia stiffens during the night. If the problem is left untreated, it can cause a buildup of calcium, which may create a painful, bony growth around the heel known as a heel spur.

✔️ What to do about it: At the first sign of stiffness in the bottom of your foot, loosen up the tissue by doing this stretch: Sit with the ankle of your injured foot across the opposite thigh. Pull your toes toward your shin with your hand until you feel a stretch in arch. Run your opposite hand along the sole of your foot; you should feel a taut band of tissue. Do 10 stretches, holding each for 10 seconds. Then stand and massage your foot by rolling it on a golf ball or full water bottle.

Plantar Fasciitis Pain Relief Orthotics

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To reduce pain, wear supportive shoes or sandals with a contoured footbed at all times. Choose walking shoes that are not too flexible in the middle. “They should be bendable at the ball but provide stiffness and support at the arch,” says Melinda Reiner, D.P.M., a podiatrist in Syracuse, NY and former vice president of the American Association for Women Podiatrists.

Off-the-shelf orthotic insoles (by Dr. Scholl’s or Vionic, for example) or a custom-made pair can help absorb some of the impact of walking, especially on hard surfaces. Until you can walk pain-free, stick to flat, stable, giving paths (such as a level dirt road) and avoid pavement, sand, and uneven ground that might cause too much flexing at the arch, says Phillip Ward, D.P.M., a podiatrist in Pinehurst, NC. If your plantar fasciitis worsens, ask a podiatrist to prescribe a night splint to stabilize your foot in a slightly flexed position, which will counteract tightening while you sleep.

2. Ingrown toenail

What it feels like: Soreness or swelling on the sides of your toes

What it is: Toe pain can develop when the corners or sides of your toenails grow sideways rather than forward, putting pressure on surrounding soft tissues and even growing into the skin. You may be more likely to develop ingrown toenails if your shoes are too short or too tight, which causes repeated trauma to the toe as you walk, says Dr. Ward. If the excess pressure goes on too long, such as during a long hike or charity walk, bleeding could occur under the nail and—sorry, ick!—your toenail might eventually fall off.

✔️ What to do about it: Leave wiggle room in your shoes. You may need to go up a half size when you buy sneakers, because your feet tend to swell during exercise. Use toenail clippers (not fingernail clippers or scissors) to cut straight across instead of rounding the corners when you give yourself a pedicure.

“People who overpronate when they walk can exacerbate existing problems in the big toes,” says Dr. Ward, who suggests using inserts to reduce pronation (walking on the insides of your feet). If you have diabetes or any circulatory disorder, have your ingrown toenails treated by a podiatrist.

3. Bunion

What it feels like: Pain on the side of your big toe

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What it is: A bunion develops when the bones in the joint on the outer side of the big or little toe become misaligned, forming a painful swelling. Walkers with flat feet, low arches, or arthritis may be more apt to develop bunions.

✔️ What to do about it: “Wear shoes that are wider—especially in the toe box,” says Dr. Ward. If you don’t want to shell out for new shoes, ask your shoe repair guy to stretch the old ones. Cushioning the bunion with OTC pads can provide relief, and icing it for 20 minutes after walking will numb the area. Ultrasound or other physical therapy treatments may reduce the inflammation. Severe cases can require surgery to remove the bony protrusion and realign the toe joint.

4. Achilles tendinitis

What it feels like: Pain in the back of your heel and lower calf

What it is: The Achilles tendon, which connects your calf muscle to your heel, can be irritated by walking too much, especially if you don’t build up to it. Repeated flexing of the foot when walking up and down steep hills or on uneven terrain can also strain the tendon, triggering lower leg pain.

✔️ What to do about it: For mild cases, reduce your mileage or substitute non-weight-bearing activities such as swimming or upper-body strength training, so long as these don’t aggravate the pain.

“Avoid walking uphill, because this increases the stretch on the tendon, irritating it and making it weaker,” says Dr. Schuemann. Regular calf stretches may also help prevent Achilles tendinitis, says Michael J. Mueller, P.T., Ph.D., a professor of physical therapy at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. In severe cases, limit or stop walking and place cold packs on the injured area for 15 to 20 minutes, up to 3 to 4 times a day, to reduce inflammation and pain. When you return to walking, stick to flat surfaces to keep your foot in a neutral position, and gradually increase your distance and intensity.

5. Lumbar strain

What it feels like: Ache in your mid to lower back

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What it is: Walking doesn’t usually cause lower-back pain, but the repetitive movement can make an existing lower-back injury worse. It’s easy to “throw out your back” when tendons and ligaments around the spine are overworked. Arthritis or inflammation of surrounding nerves can also cause pain in this region.

✔️ What to do about it: For general back pain prevention, keep the muscles in your trunk strong. While you walk, engage your abs by pulling your belly button toward your spine as if you were trying to flatten your belly to zip up tight jeans.

“Avoid bending over at the waist, a tendency when you are walking fast or uphill,” says Dr. Schuemann. “Instead, keep your spine elongated and lean your whole body slightly forward from your ankles.”

A short pull exercise might also prevent slumping by realigning your posture. You can even do it while you walk! Simply cross your arms at wrists in front of your waist and raise arms as if you’re pulling a shirt up over your head. Grow taller as you reach up, then lower your arms, letting your shoulders drop into place. Tight hamstrings and hip flexors can also cause postural distortions that put pressure on the lower back, so be sure to keep those areas flexible, too.

6. Neuroma

What it feels like: Pain in the ball of your foot or between toes

What it is: If tissue surrounding a nerve near the base of the toes thickens, it can cause tingling, numbness, or pain that radiates to surrounding areas. It may feel as though you’re treading on a marble. This condition, known as Morton’s neuroma, frequently develops between the base of the third and fourth toes. It’s up to five times more common in women than men, possibly because women’s feet are structured differently and because women tend to wear narrow, high shoes or very flat ones. “If you have Morton’s neuroma, walking can irritate it,” says Dr. Ward.

✔️ What to do about it: Treatment varies from simply wearing roomier shoes to surgery, depending upon the severity of the neuroma. See a podiatrist at the first sign of foot pain, as this condition can worsen quickly. Make sure that your walking shoes have a spacious toe box. Limit your time spent hoofing it in heels, and if you must wear them, travel in comfy shoes like supportive ballet flats and then slip on the more stylish pair. OTC insoles or pads that relieve pressure and absorb shock may help, too.

7. Shin splints

What it feels like: Stiffness or soreness in your shins

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What it is: Your shins have to bear up to six times your weight while you exercise, so foot-pounding activities like walking and running can cause problems for the muscles and surrounding tissues and create inflammation. The strain and leg pain results from strong calves pulling repeatedly on weaker muscles near the shin.

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“Walkers who walk too much too soon, or too fast too soon, or who go up a lot of hills are susceptible to this injury because the foot has to flex more with each step, which overworks the shin muscles,” explains Frank Kelly, M. D., an orthopedic surgeon in Eatonton, GA. Spending too many hours walking on concrete can also lead to this sort of inflammation. Severe or pinpointed pain in the shin could also be a stress fracture of the tibia.

✔️ What to do about it: Cut back on your walking for three to eight weeks to give the tissues time to heal. “If it hurts to walk, avoid it,” says Joel Press, M.D., physiatrist-in-chief at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City and professor of rehabilitation medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College. You might need an anti-inflammatory medication, such as ibuprofen, or cold packs to reduce swelling and relieve pain. In the meantime, keep in shape by cross-training with low-impact exercises such as swimming or cycling. You should also strengthen the muscles in the front of the lower leg (anterior tibialis) to help prevent a recurrence.

Use this simple exercise: While standing, lift your toes toward the shins 20 times. Work up to three sets and, as you get stronger, lay a 2- or 3-pound ankle weight across your toes to add more resistance.

Once you’re ready to start walking again, choose a dirt path and walk for 20 minutes at a moderate pace. Increase distance or speed slightly each week. “If your shins start to feel sore, rest for a day or two, and when you exercise again, take it even more slowly,” says Byron Russell, P.T., Ph.D., director of the department of physical therapy at Midwestern University in Glendale, AZ.

8. Bursitis

What it feels like: Soreness on the outside of your hips

What it is: Although there are many potential causes of hip pain, it’s common for the fluid-filled sacs (bursae) that cushion the hip joint to become inflamed with repetitive stress. People with one leg slightly longer than the other are more susceptible to this kind of hip pain. Too much walking without building up to it can also be a cause.

✔️ What to do about it: Instead of walking, ride a stationary bike, swim, or do some other non-weight-bearing activity for a few weeks, says Dr. Kelly, who also suggests an OTC anti-inflammatory medication to ease the discomfort. “When you begin walking again, don’t just step back in where you left off. Start gradually: Walk every other day at first. Spend the first 5 minutes warming up by walking slowly, and do the last 5 minutes at a slower, cool-down pace,” he says. In more severe cases, you may temporarily need a cane or crutches to reduce pressure.

9. Runner’s knee

What it like: Throbbing in front of your kneecap

What it is: Every time your shoe strikes the ground, your knee feels it. Eventually, your kneecap may start to rub against your femur (the bone that connects your knee to your hip), causing cartilage damage and tendinitis. Walkers with a misaligned kneecap, prior injury, weak or imbalanced thigh muscles, soft knee cartilage, or flat feet, or those who simply walk too much, are at greater risk of runner’s knee. The knee pain usually strikes when you’re walking downhill, doing knee bends, or sitting for a long stretch of time.

✔️ What to do about it: Shift to another type of exercise until the knee pain subsides, typically 8 to 12 weeks. Do some quad strengtheners to help align the kneecap and beef up support around your knee: Sit with your back against a wall, right leg bent with your foot flat on the floor and left your leg straight in front of you. Contract the quads and lift your left leg, keeping your foot flexed. Repeat 12 times; work up to three sets per leg. While standing, place a looped band around both feet and sidestep 12 to 15 times to right, then back to left. When walking or hiking downhill, take smaller steps and try not to bend your knees too much, or try walking sideways to give your side hip muscles a workout.

10. Stress fracture

What it feels like: Acute pain in your foot or lower leg

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What it is: If you feel tenderness or pain when you press on a spot on your foot or lower leg, you may have a stress fracture—a tiny crack in a bone. Most common in the lower leg, they tend to occur when your leg muscles become overloaded from repetitive stress because the shock is absorbed by the bone, rather than the muscle. This can happen if you ignore a shin splint, for instance, because the continued strain on muscles and tissues will eventually shift to the bone.

Walking is more likely to lead to a stress fracture if you walk for too long without building up to it, especially if you have high arches or rigid, flat feet. Women may be more vulnerable because their lower muscle mass and bone density don’t always act as adequate shock absorbers.

✔️ What to do about it: Kick back and let your foot or leg pain heal for several weeks. “You need to get off your feet to avoid loading the bones,” says Sheila Dugan, M.D., physiatrist and interim Chair in the department of physical medicine and rehabilitation at Rush Medical College. Replace walking with swimming, water aerobics, or upper-body weight training.

When you return to your regular regimen, stop before you feel discomfort. “If you walk 1 mile and have symptoms again, slow down and start walking a quarter mile and take several weeks to build up to the longer distance,” says Russell.

Replace your walking shoes when the interior cushioning has worn down, to ensure that you have adequate shock absorption. To optimize bone health, do lower-body strength-training twice a week and eat calcium-rich foods like yogurt and cheese and greens such as kale, or take a supplement if your doctor feels you need one. You should aim for 1,000 mg of calcium a day (1,200 mg if you’re 51 or older).

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Nerve Pain vs. Muscle Pain — Is there a Difference? – Neuropathic Therapy Center

Nerve Pain vs. Muscle Pain — Is there a Difference?

By Dr. Bussell – April 6, 2017

Surprisingly, yes!

Our bodies are meant to feel some form of pain at one time or another. Whether we want to or not, that’s a different story. Pain can come from a sprained ankle after a run, a burned finger from the stove top or the nagging pain of a headache after a long day of work. Pain is pain and it is not fun.

But, what about nerve pain versus muscle pain? Are we able to tell the difference?

Nerve Pain

• Burning, tingling, pins and needles, numbness, sharp sensation
• The pain tends to be chronic pain (lasting for 6 months or more)
• Usually resides in arms, hands, legs and feet
• Affects diabetic, chemotherapy and orthopedic patients

Muscle Pain

• Tender, throbbing, stiffness sensation
• Pain in muscles and joints
• Often caused by injury or inflammation
• The pain is generally short-term pain
• Affects athletes, fitness enthusiasts, or individuals straining their neck on the computer

It’s important to note that one of the biggest differences between nerve pain and muscle pain is chronic pain. Chronic pain is ongoing and constant. The damaged tissue that causes nerve pain often leads to chronic pain, leaving many patients to endure long-lasting side effects.

There are various options when it comes to relieving nerve pain or muscle pain there are various options. If you are suffering with muscle pain you may want to consider stretching (it may hurt at first), walking or exercising. Your body will tell you how far to push it.

Nerve pain on the other hand isn’t as simple, but there are options. Walking, stretching and exercises such as swimming or cycling work just as well. Additionally, eating a healthy diet such as vegan or gluten free can help. You may also find pain relief through INF™ treatment. INF™ involves three different holds to alleviate pressure and improve blood flow in the hands and feet.

What do you have to lose…just your pain?

Foot and lower leg pain

Are you experiencing pain in your feet or lower limbs? This can provide clues to many related ailments throughout your body. Here is a round-up of what your various pain signals may indicate.

What are the main causes of foot and lower limb pain?

There are many causes of foot pain and lower limb pain, including:

• Injury – such as sprains, breaks and fractures
• Arthritis – inflammation of the joints
• Tendinitis – inflammation of tendon structures that attach to the bones of your feet (e.g. the Achilles which connects your calf muscle to your foot)
• Shin splints – inflammation of the shin bone
• Peripheral vascular disease – where blood flow is constricted
• Osgood Shattler Disease – inflammation in the knee and common in children
• Deep vein thrombosis – caused by blood clots, clots which can be serious
• Sciatica and radiculopathy – caused by pinched nerves
• Buerger’s disease – swelling of the arteries causing pain in the legs if this is the area affected • Flat feet, corns, callouses, bunions or a range of other ailments.

Are there preventative measures I can take?

A good step is to see your podiatrist, who can assess and treat you as part of a personalised treatment plan. It can also help to look after your overall general health – by drinking plenty of water, wearing correct footwear and exercising regularly where possible.

What is the best treatment?

No single treatment works for everyone, which is why it is so important to see a podiatrist who can tailor a treatment plan to specifically reflect your needs.

Treatment for pain can be varied – to include anti-inflammatory medications such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen. Whereas if swelling and inflammation is the cause of pain – ice packs, strapping and stretching can form part of your treatment plan. For biomechanical issues – such as flat feet or bunions – orthotics may be prescribed as part of a wider treatment plan.

Given the complexity of ailments affecting the feet and lower limbs, only your podiatrist can prescribe the treatment most suited to your needs.

Do You Work On Your Feet All Day?

Standing all day, whether work or at play, can do a real number on your feet, legs, and back! Each year in Canada, thousands of work-related foot injuries are reported and an increasing number of sick days are taken because of leg and foot problems. Whether you’re cooking at a restaurant line, cutting hair in a salon, teaching in a classroom, or folding T-shirts at a clothing store, making an extra effort to take good care of your feet and legs can go a long way toward staying healthy and comfortable.

Problems That Can Result from Extended Periods of Standing

The most commonly reported symptoms from extended periods of standing are discomfort, fatigue and swelling in the legs. Workers required to spend too much time on their feet are at greatly increased risk of pain and discomfort affecting feet, shins and calves, knees, thighs, hips and lower back. In fact, studies have shown that musculoskeletal disorders are the most common causes of work-related ill-health, and that 17 per cent of these disorders affected the lower limbs.

There are many other debilitating and potentially very serious health concerns related to prolonged standing. Worsening of existing coronary heart disease, varicose veins and chronic venous insufficiency have been associated with prolonged standing, as has pain in the lower limbs and feet. Further studies suggest back pain associated with work is about twice as common in those who work standing compared to those who usually work sitting, even after controlling for age and lifting weights.

Older workers and those employed in heavy manual jobs frequently develop knee and joint pain as they get older, and may become progressively less able to cope with constant standing. Other workers, for example those with arthritis, varicose veins caused by pregnancy or who have suffered a back or lower limb injury are also at an increased risk.

The effects of standing all day can show up almost right away and prolonged standing or walking can often accelerate health problems and soft tissue injuries. For example, standing all day on your feet can result in:

• Varicose veins
• Plantar fasciitis
• Low back pain
• Muscle soreness and fatigue
• High blood pressure
• Knee or hip arthritis
• Bunions
• Pregnancy complications
• Neck and shoulder stiffness
• Chronic heart and circulatory disorders
• Poor posture (and its effects)
• Various foot problems and pain
• Knee problems
• Swollen or painful feet or legs
• Stretched Achilles tendon (tendonitis)
• Joint damage
• Poor circulation and swelling in feet & legs

What Causes These Problems?

Like many work-related hazards, standing usually is designed into a job. The physical layout or work practices of a task may force workers into awkward positions to reach across wide surfaces or do things repetitively without breaks. Standing is worse when you can’t move around much, or when you work on hard surfaces and/or wear unsuitable footwear.

Muscles work to hold you upright. Without resting or moving around, joints from the neck to the feet can become temporarily “stuck”. When this happens regularly, muscles get tired and their tendons and ligaments can be damaged, causing soft tissue injuries.

Standing still also reduces blood flow to muscles and stops the “muscle pump” (regular muscle movements) that returns blood from the feet and legs to the heart. Other body fluids won’t move unless leg muscles contract. When blood or other fluids don’t move properly, veins get inflamed and feet, ankles and legs swell, causing muscle ache.

What Can You Do To Prevent Standing-Related Injuries?

You can reduce the risks associated with prolonged standing – especially those suffering from chronic tired feet and stiff leg muscles. Below are simple actions you can take to get you through your day while avoiding …or at least reducing health hazards.

• Alternate standing with sitting: Find the time to sit if you are standing for long periods of time. Use break periods or slow periods to sit.
• If you’re pregnant, try to put your feet up at work and rest with your feet higher than your head.
• Change positions frequently: Try walking around, stretching and standing in different positions to move your weight around.
• Wear comfortable and supportive shoes: Many stylish shoes are made nowadays that not only look great, but are power-packed with support and comfort features. Gone are the days of such shoes looking like something your great-grandmother would have preferred.  See what we’re talking about on BioPed Footcare’s shop site.

• Custom made orthotics support the skeleton, muscles and fascia in the correct position – key to relieving many foot and leg pain symptoms. In particular, if you stand on your feet for extensive periods, orthotics help to improve posture, relieve joint stress, support ligaments, treat overpronation, increase comfort while walking and can help to reduce other foot conditions such as heel (plantar fasciitis) and forefoot (metatarsalgia) pain.  Ensure the orthotics are manufactured correctly, by seeing a foot expert who has a process designed with your best fit in mind.  Don’t know what to look for?  Read this or find a BioPed location and we will explain it in person.

• Lower the heel and spare your toes: Keep the really high heels and the very pointy toes for parties and special events. These are not ideal shoes for somebody who works on their feet all day long. Lack of space for toes reduces circulation and encourages a range of problems from cramping of feet; heels push the toes deeper into the end of the shoe and if that end is pointed, there is very little space for the toes to go.
• Cover hard floors: If you are confined to a certain space and it has a hard floor covering, request a rubber mat or a rug to be placed on the floor. This will cushion the area that you are standing on, reducing the impact on your legs and feet from the hard surface.
• Compression hose and socks: Compression socks are well known among people suffering from leg or foot problems but they have benefits that many people, including active individuals and those who stand on their feet all day, can take advantage of.  With the growing awareness of compression socks and their health benefits, modern styles and colours have emerged.  Find some on BioPed Footcare’s Shop Site or locate a specialist near you to help select one that is best for you.

• Alternating knee flexion: Bend your knee and try, without going beyond your natural range of motion, to touch your heel to your buttocks with one leg and then the other. This will help loosen up the quadriceps (the four major muscles in front of the thighs).

• Figure-8 hip rotations: Circling your hips in a figure-8 motion will prevent both hip tightness and blood stagnation in the lower extremities by shifting your balance from one side to the other.

• Hacky-sack kicks: Kicking an imaginary ball with your instep will help loosen the origin connection points of your gluteus maximus (buttocks), which is the largest muscle in the body. The “glutes” can become tight, especially where they attach to your sacroiliac joint, whether you’re in a sedentary seated or standing position. Just a few kicks on each side can prevent tight glutes.
• Hamstring stretch: A great way to activate the hamstrings and stretch them simultaneously (strengthening and lengthening) is to do an active hamstring stretch. Simply stick your buttocks out, keeping your back flat. Rock back on your heels. Keep your knees slightly bent. Squeeze the inside of your thighs together without actually moving the knees and reach your chin forward. Unlike the more popular passive way to stretch, this active stretch should provide immediate relief to your hamstrings.

• Calf stretch: If you can’t take a quick work break to do a downward-dog stretch, place both hands shoulder width apart and level on a wall, or, even at desk level. Place one foot forward and bend the knee so that the knee is directly over the ankle. The rear leg should be straight. You should feel the rear calf muscles stretching. As with the hamstring stretch, try to isometrically contract your thighs by activating the inner thighs without actually moving the knees.

7 Ways to Care for Your Legs and Feet if You Stand All Day

A pair of high-quality shoes with great support can go a long way if you stand all day for work or at a special event. But sometimes you need more than just another pair of shoes to truly care for your feet and legs. You need a routine to work out your strained and tired muscles. One that relieves pressure and gets your blood flowing.

WHAT HAPPENS TO YOUR BODY WHEN YOU STAND ALL DAY

As you’ve probably already noticed after extended periods of standing, your feet can hurt. Even if you have a quality pair of shoes your feet may still be sore. But aside from sore feet, you may experience swollen feet, ankles, and calves.

Circulation in your lower body has to work extra hard to return blood to your heart if you’re standing all day, which can cause swelling and aching. What would normally be a quick fly-by of blood with oxygen and nutrients turns into a traffic jam which leads to fluid leaking from the blood vessels into surrounding the tissue.

You may also notice your lower limbs getting tired more quickly. This is known as a lower limb fatigue. As your lower limbs get tired, your legs may begin to cramp or back pain could set in.

A recent study suggests that standing all day can be detrimental to your health. You may not be giving up your standing job anytime soon, so the best remedy is to take care of your body at work and at home.

7 TIPS FOR CARING FOR YOUR LEGS AND FEET

Incorporate these seven tips into your daily routine either before, during, or after work. Preferably, spread them out throughout the day to provide your body with the release and breaks it needs to keep going.

1) Foam roll or tennis ball

You can bring a tennis ball with you to work or keep it stashed in your living room at home. Simply place it beneath your foot and roll it back and forth. The pressure will allow for the muscles to stretch and lengthen, which is exactly what your feet need after contracting all day.

Similarly, use a foam roller to stretch and lengthen the muscles in your calves and thighs. Imagine a rubber band that never gets lengthened. Overtime it becomes brittle and hard. And when you go to stretch it, it’s more likely to break.

The same concept applies with your muscles. You need to lengthen them. You may see people at the gym doing this exercise, but it’s not just for people who work out. Anyone can use it to keep their muscles long, lean, and limber.

2) Stretch

Foam rolling is preferred over stretching, since stretching can be dangerous on cold muscles. But stretching is at least something you can take with you anywhere, anytime.

You don’t need a tool to do it. You can do it at work throughout the day to relieve tension in your lower half. Try a few forward folds. Bend down and touch your toes. Or squat to the floor with your knees to your chest and ankles lifted to get an ankle and calf stretch.

3) Elevate your feet

You may do this naturally already. You get home, get comfy, and lay on the couch with your feet up. Maybe they’re up off the floor but try to get them up above your heart.

Now your leg veins don’t have to work as hard. You can give your lower body circulation the time it needs to rest and recover from a hard day’s work.

4) Invert your body

Similarly, you can completely invert your body with a few yoga inversions or an inversion table. If you don’t have access to an inversion table, then simply gab and wall. Lie on your back with your glutes to the baseboard and legs up the wall.

That’s about as basic of an inversion you can get. If you feel like advancing, there are several shoulder and head stands you can do either on the wall or not.

5) Compress your calves

Compression socks aren’t sexy, but they work. Nurses have long heralded the efficacy of such socks. If you wear pants to work, then you can get away with wearing compression socks no problem.

Just be sure they’re not too tight. And if you feel uncomfortable in them at any time, then remove them. The point isn’t to cut off circulation. The point is to help your circulation.

6) Soak your feet

A quality foot soak has many benefits. Grab yourself a tub of hot water. Add some epsom salt and essential oils of your choosing. Now sit back and relax.

The magnesium in the epsom salt is long known to help alleviate muscle tension. And the essential oils, especially lavender or chamomile, will help you to relax and relieve stress.

7) Get a massage

If you can squeeze it into your schedule and budget, then put a massage on the books. Don’t be afraid to snag one once a month or more.

Chiropractic offices sometimes offer massage therapy, which can be provided as a medical service and covered by insurance. These would be the perfect types of massages to help relieve lower limb fatigue since they’re more treatment based than the general relaxation massage.

FINAL THOUGHTS

If you plan on staying in your standing job for awhile, then take measures now to care for your body and health. Your body gives you the ability to do so much in life. Now’s your opportunity to give your body the tender love and care it deserves in return.

SOURCE: https://www.care2.com/greenliving/7-ways-to-care-for-your-legs-and-feet-if-you-stand-all-day.html

Chronic Foot Pain|Chronic Leg Pain

• Plantar fasciitis
• Arthritis
• Neuropathy
• Sciatica

Some of these conditions are commonly short-lived, while others are chronic.

If you have a new onset of pain in your legs or feet, it is important to have it evaluated by a healthcare provider. Many acute conditions, such as sprains, bone fractures, or blood clots, can be successfully treated. Some conditions, however, are chronic.

Plantar fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis causes pain in the heel and bottom of the foot. It is due to inflammation of the plantar fascia. The plantar fascia is a muscle-like connective tissue at the bottom of the foot.

Plantar fasciitis is associated with overuse, such as with runners, or in cases of obesity.

Treatments are anti-inflammatory medications, heel stretches, supportive footwear, and weight loss.

With treatment or on its own, plantar fasciitis usually improves within months to a year or two.

Arthritis

Arthritis is a common pain condition marked by inflammation of the joints. The inflammation causes pain, swelling, and stiffness. Arthritis can occur in any joint of the body.

There are different types of arthritis. The two most common are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Osteoarthritis might best be considered the result of general wear and tear. It can occur from traumatic injuries, overuse, and age. It results from a loss of cartilage, which ordinarily provides cushioning for the bones in the joints. With the loss of cartilage, the bones can rub together in the joints, causing inflammation. In turn, the inflammation leads to pain, swelling, stiffness, and tenderness. Osteoarthritis most commonly occurs in the hips, knees, ankles and feet.

Common treatments for osteoarthritis are anti-inflammatory medications, physical therapy, cortisone injections, arthroscopic and joint replacement surgeries, and chronic pain rehabilitation programs.

Rheumatoid arthritis is the result of the immune system mistaking healthy cartilage for being diseased, and consequently it attacks the cartilage of the joints. Over time, the immune system erodes the cartilage. The subsequent loss of cartilage causes inflammation when the joints are used. In turn, the inflammation causes pain, joint stiffness, and swelling. In advanced stages, the joints become deformed. Rheumatoid arthritis most commonly occurs in the hands and feet.

Common treatments for rheumatoid arthritis are anti-inflammatory medications, chemotherapies, physical therapy, and chronic pain rehabilitation programs.

Neuropathy

Neuropathy is damage to nerves and causes pain, numbness and/or tingling. While technically many conditions are a form of neuropathy, the term ‘neuropathy’ usually refers to peripheral neuropathy.

Peripheral neuropathy is nerve damage in the peripheral nerves. It usually starts in the hands or feet as numbness or tingling. Over time, these symptoms can progress to pain. Patients most often describe the pain as a burning type of pain.

The most common cause of peripheral neuropathy in the hands or feet is diabetes. It is then commonly referred to as ‘diabetic neuropathy.’ Other causes can be kidney disease, HIV, or alcohol dependence. It can also occur for unknown reasons. In the latter case, it is called ‘idiopathic peripheral neuropathy.’

If the cause of neuropathy is diabetes, therapy involves aggressive treatment of diabetes. In such cases, treatment consists of medications to control glucose, dietary changes, exercise, and weight loss.

In all cases of neuropathy, therapies also focus on symptom management. Common symptom management therapies include antidepressant medications, anticonvulsant medications, opioid medications, mild aerobic exercise, cognitive behavioral therapy, and chronic pain rehabilitation programs.

Sciatica

Sciatica is a common pain condition marked by pain, numbness and/or tingling, beginning in the buttock and oftentimes extending down the leg, all the way to the foot and toes.

The vast majority of acute cases of sciatica resolve on their own within a few weeks to months. Sometimes, it continues and becomes chronic. It’s considered chronic when lasting longer than six months.

Sciatica is the result of either inflammation or irritation of the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve is a nerve which starts at the spinal cord in the low back, extends through the piriformis muscle in the buttock, and branches down the back of the leg, and into the foot. Causes of sciatica are disc herniations or other forms of degenerative disc disease in the lower part of the spine, piriformis syndrome, and, rarely, tumors along the spine. Stress can also play a role, particularly in exacerbations of sciatica.

The cause of sciatica is often difficult to identify in actual practice. The use of MRI’s to identify the cause is common, but problematic in many cases. While tumors are typically readily seen on an MRI, it is often difficult to identify degenerative changes of the spine that might cause sciatica. Some patients will have MRI’s that show, for example, a disc herniation and nerve root irritation that is consistent with their symptoms. Many patients, however, have sciatica without any objective findings on MRI. Still others commonly have findings on MRI that are inconsistent with their symptoms. For these reasons, providers often pursue epidural steroid injections and nerve blocks in an attempt to identify the cause of sciatica. However, these procedures can also provide unreliable results. As such, with the exception of tumor-related sciatica, healthcare providers typically presume the cause of the condition without ever obtaining definite confirmation.

Common therapies for sciatica are the following:

• Spine surgeries
• Interventional procedures: epidural steroid injections, nerve blocks, rhizotomies, and spinal cord stimulator implants
• Physical therapies: stretching and strengthening exercises, mild aerobic exercises
• Chronic pain rehabilitation programs

Date of publication: April 27, 2012

Date of last modification: September 21, 2021

90,000 Which ointment is more effective for pain in the muscles of the legs?

Which ointment is more effective for pain in the muscles of the legs?

Pain in the muscles of the legs is a common symptom that can be caused by both minor muscle damage and serious medical conditions. The most effective in eliminating pain, regardless of its origin, are topical agents – creams, gels and ointments.

What are the causes of pain in the legs

Even perfectly healthy people can be bothered by pain in the legs.There are a lot of factors that provoke them:

• increased physical activity associated with sports or work loads;
• injuries of various nature: sports, household – bruises, sprains, ligament ruptures, etc.;
• overweight;
• sedentary lifestyle;
• metabolic disorders in muscle tissues;
• diseases of the skeletal system: arthritis, arthrosis, osteoporosis, osteochondrosis, salt deposition, neuralgia, myositis, etc.

The prerequisites for muscle pain are the defeat of small vessels, an increase in capillary permeability. These processes disrupt blood flow and tissue nutrition, as well as slow down their recovery. Good creams and ointments help not only eliminate pain, but also normalize metabolism and increase blood flow.

What ointments help with pain in the muscles of the legs

All remedies for pain in the legs are divided into 2 categories: warming and cooling.In turn, depending on the component composition, the following groups of creams, gels and ointments are distinguished:

• non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs – most effective if the pain is caused by an inflammatory process;
• analgesics – they cope well with pain of any nature, but have only a superficial effect;
• muscle relaxants – help to eliminate pain by relaxing the muscles, normalizing blood flow;
• chondroprotectors – used when pain is caused by disorders in the articular region;
• homeopathic remedies – prescribed for pain of various nature.Depending on the cause and nature of the pain syndrome, they can act as the main drug or an auxiliary treatment in combination with other drugs. Also effective as prevention of muscle pain in the presence of provoking factors;
• ointments and creams with an irritating effect – relieve pain due to the formation of a warming effect, are most appropriate for traumatic pains, in acute inflammatory processes.

How does the ointment work for pain in the muscles of the legs

Ointments aimed at eliminating pain in the muscles of the legs form the following spectrum of positive action:

• activate blood flow;
• promote tissue nutrition;
• activate the processes of restoration of damaged tissues;
• relieve inflammation;
• reduce the size of hematomas;
• relieve edema;
• strengthen the walls of blood vessels;
• have a venotonic effect;
• relieve stress.

Pain in the legs | Cause, diagnosis, symptoms, exercise and treatment

Have you hurt your legs? Here you can read more about leg pain and related symptoms, causes and various diagnoses of leg pain and leg pain. Leg pain can be caused by a number of musculoskeletal causes, such as reflected pain in the gluteus muscles, tendon injuries, and reflected pain from nerves in the back (eg, back injury).Note that you will find links to exercises at the bottom of this article.

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Leg pain can cause significant discomfort in daily life, sports and at work. If you have persistent pain and malfunction, we advise you to see a doctor for examination and any treatment for the problem. You run the risk of getting worse if you don’t address the problem with a combination of home exercise, self-control (such as specially designed compression socks for circulatory problems Link opens in a new window) and professional treatment if pain persists.

Most common conditions and diagnoses that cause leg pain:

• Osteoarthritis
• Shins
• Diabetic neuropathy
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
• Electrolyte deficiency
• Meralgia Parasthetics (Burning nerve pain in the upper thigh)
• Muscle cramps in the legs and thighs
• dislocations
• Tendonitis in the Achilles tendon or thigh
• Circulatory problems
• Spinal stenosis (nerve diseases of the back)
• Dense and dysfunctional thighs and calf muscles
• Stress fracture of the lower leg
• Pain in local muscles of the buttocks, thighs and back – for example, due to muscle tension
• Directed pain from sciatica og prolapse in the back (this applies to compression of the L2, L3, L4, L5 and S1 nerve roots)

In this article, you will learn more about what causes leg pain, leg pain, and the various symptoms and diagnoses of such pain.

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Cause and diagnosis: Why my leg hurts and my leg hurts?

Here we look at a number of possible causes and diagnoses that can lead to pain in the legs – in the hips, legs, the Achilles joint, or all the way down to the feet.

osteoarthritis

Joint wear (osteoarthritis) is common as we get older. This is because natural stress can destroy some of the cells that make up the joint space over time, and in some cases, when this wear becomes large enough, it can lead to localized swelling, joint pain and stiffness. It especially affects the joints that carry the load, and especially the hips, knees and ankles.

Physical treatment, exercise, diet, weight loss, and compression noise can help improve joint health.

Shins

The bone membrane is located between the two shins in the lower part of the leg; shin and fibula. Overloading or inappropriate loading can cause an inflammatory response in the tissues that mimics the pain of pressure on the foot / ankle. This reaction is called osteomyelitis. This usually causes pain in the inner calf and is especially striking for those who run a lot.Other risk factors for this diagnosis are flat feet, arch stiffness, and improper footwear.

Intramuscular needle therapy targeting the calf muscles, pressure wave therapy and home exercise are all associated with active management of this condition.

Read more: – 4 exercises for osteomyelitis

Diabetic neuropathy

Diabetes (diabetes) can cause serious problems with blood sugar regulation in the body.High blood sugar levels over a long period of time, as well as a diet that causes large fluctuations in these values, can cause nerve damage. This is called diabetic neuropathy – and it primarily affects the nerves that send signals to the arms and legs.

Diabetic neuropathy can cause numbness, tingling, and nerve pain in toes, feet, fingers, and hands. Such nervous pain can serve as the basis for burning, sharp and aching pain in the legs.

Deep vein thrombosis

In deep vein thrombosis, you mean a blood clot in your thigh or leg. The typical symptoms of blood clots on the legs may include pain in the legs, swelling in the legs or thighs, and the skin may become reddish and hot to the touch. These blood clots can be fatal if parts of them loosen and then become stuck in the brain or lungs.

Such blood clots are often detected by diagnostic ultrasound and clinical examination.Medication and possible surgery can be used to relieve symptoms or to operate on the blood clot itself. It is also important to focus on a healthy diet and stay active if this diagnosis is made.

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Electrolyte deficiency

Electrolytes are essential for the balance of fluids and nerve impulses in the body. In the event of a deficiency or imbalance of electrolytes in the body, this can lead to cramps in the legs and feet.If you have these cramps on a regular basis, it could be an indication that your diet is poor or that you are not good enough to remain dehydrated.

Meralgia Parasthetics

This diagnosis is a nervous condition that can cause painful burning, numbness, or tingling sensations on the outside of the upper thigh. There is an increased risk of being affected by women who are pregnant, who are overweight, who wear tight clothing, or who have had groin surgery.There is no direct cure for these nerve pains.

Circulatory problems

There are a number of diagnoses and reasons why some have decreased circulation. Decreased circulation can lead to an increased frequency of leg cramps and leg cramps. Such cramps can be neutralized by physical exertion, stretching, compression clothing (such as compression socks), and physical treatment.

Dense muscles in the thighs and legs

The calf muscles and muscles of the thighs and legs can cause pain in the legs.It is these muscles of the hamstrings, quadriceps, gastrocnemius, and quadrangle flat muscles that are often involved in these symptoms and pain.

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Spinal stenosis (nerve diseases of the back)

Tense nervous conditions in the lumbar spine can cause nerve spasms of the roots of the lumbar nerve. These nerve roots send nerve signals down to the thighs, calves, ankles and feet, so this can lead to both sensory and motor disruptions.This means you may experience decreased skin sensation, numbness, power failure, and muscle loss (with prolonged absence of nerve signals).

Such pinched nerve conditions can be associated with the growth of bones in the spine itself (osteophytes), which are pushed into the spinal cord itself or nerve roots in the affected area. It is characteristic that for this group of patients it is almost impossible to take longer walks – due to the fact that the feeling of “pressure in the back” increases, which disappears only when they lean forward or rest.

Lumbar prolapse (lumbar disc disease)

Lumbar prolapse can cause many of the same symptoms as spinal stenosis, but the cause is damage to the intervertebral disc rather than osteophytes. With this lesion of the disc, the soft mass (nucleus pulposus) has passed through the outer wall (annulus fibrosus) of the intervertebral disc – this is called prolapse. If this prolapse presses on a nerve root, it is called a nerve root prolapse.

It is worth mentioning that a person can have prolapse without experiencing sensory or motor symptoms if the prolapse does not put pressure on the nerves.

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Leg pain symptoms

The symptoms you experience in your legs can vary depending on what is the real cause of the pain you are experiencing.Some of the most common symptoms that can occur with leg pain are:

• Swelling: Swelling of a leg with red and painful skin may be a sign that you have circulatory problems – or possibly a blood clot – such symptoms should always be evaluated by a doctor.
• Muscle Weakness: In the absence of nerve signals to the muscles, the muscles may be found to be malfunctioning or not feeling as strong as they used to. Over time, in the absence of nerve signals, this can lead to muscle loss (that muscle fibers become smaller and weaker).
• Nerve pain down one leg or, in some cases, both legs.
• Numbness: This can mean, among other things, that you cannot feel touching certain areas of your skin – due to damage or pinching of the nerves that are supposed to send or receive signals from that area.
• parasthesias: Burning or tingling sensation in the legs.
• Skin redness.
• Heat dissipation.

Neuromuscular symptoms that can be seen with certain diagnoses may include:

• Loss of muscles in the thighs, calf muscles and muscles of the feet.
• Pain in the back and legs at the same time.

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Treatment of leg pain

The treatment you receive will depend on the cause of your leg pain. This may include:

• Physiotherapy: A physical therapist is an expert in exercise and rehabilitation for injuries and pains in muscles, joints and nerves.
• Modern Chiropractic: The modern chiropractor uses muscle techniques in conjunction with muscle work and home exercise instruction to optimize the function of your muscles, nerves and joints. For leg pain, a chiropractor will mobilize the joints in your back, thighs, locally target the muscles of the thighs, legs and soles of the feet, and instruct you on home exercises to stretch, strengthen and improve the function of your legs – this may also include the use of pressure wave therapy and dry needle (intramuscular acupuncture).
• Shockwave: This treatment is usually performed by authorized health care professionals experienced in treating muscles, joints, and tendons. In Norway this applies to chiropractors, physical therapists and chiropractors. The treatment is carried out using a pressure wave device and an appropriate transducer, which sends pressure waves directed to this area of ​​the damaged tissue. Pressure wave therapy has a particularly well-documented effect on tendon disorders and chronic muscle problems.

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Summarize PM

It is important to take all pain seriously – because persistent pain can lead to dysfunction and worsening of symptoms over time. In particular, decreased strength and loss of muscle mass are two of the most serious symptoms one may experience with persistent leg pain.Therefore, it is important that you address the problem and seek clinics for research and any treatment.

It is also important to train your legs and feet in the same way as the rest of your body. In the link below you will find some exercises you can try.

Les også: – 4 exercises against plantar fasciitis

Do you have questions about this article or need more tips? Ask us directly via our facebook page or via the comment box below.

Recommended self-help

Reusable Gel Combo Pad (Warm and Cold Pad)

Heat can increase blood circulation in tense and painful muscles, but in other situations where pain is more acute, cooling is recommended as it reduces the transmission of pain signals. Due to the fact that they can also be used as a cold compress to reduce swelling, we recommend them.

Read more here ( opens in a new window ): Reusable Gel Combo Pad (Warm and Cold Pad)

Compression socks (unisex)

Socks improve blood circulation in the legs and feet and can be used every day. And then we are talking not only about training, but also about you, who work in the store, as a waiter or as a nurse. Compression socks can help you get back to your daily routine without leg pain.

Read more here ( opens in a new window ): Compression socks (unisex)

Visit your health store if needed to see more good self-medication products

Click on the image or the link above to open the health store in a new window.

Next page: – How to know if you have a blood clot

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Frequently Asked Questions About Leg Pain and Leg Pain

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90,000 Why do muscles hurt without physical exertion

“Why do my muscles ache if I don’t go in for sports and do not experience any physical activity at all?”

Yana, Minsk.

– According to statistics, about 2% of residents of economically prosperous countries constantly suffer from muscle pain.In most cases, this is due to the formation of a persistent muscle spasm. It is provoked by injuries, where muscle tension is a response of the body, prolonged non-physiological position of the body (for example, sitting at an uncomfortable table or carrying a bag on one shoulder), emotional stress.

The very origin of pain can be different. The most common form of myalgia is fibromyalgia, which occurs in the ligaments, tendons, and fibrous muscles. This often reverberates with insomnia.In almost two-thirds of patients who come to see a neurologist, muscle pain is combined with stiffness in the morning, asthenic syndrome. Fibromyalgia typically affects the neck, back of the head, shoulders, muscles near the knee joints, and chest. Women are more prone to this disease. Emotional or physical overload, prolonged lack of sleep, hypothermia, and chronic diseases aggravate the pain. Another common cause of muscle pain is muscle fiber inflammation – myositis.It is often a complication after severe infections. In addition, pain in the muscles may be the first sign of diseases such as polymyositis, polymyalgia rheumatica, brucellosis, influenza, toxoplasmosis, cysticercosis, trichinosis, and also occur with alcohol and other intoxications, diabetes mellitus, primary amyloidosis, rheumatelitis, osteomyelitis.

As for the legs, then it’s probably a matter of flat feet, which the patient may not even know about. The bottom line: the arches of the foot become flat, it is more difficult to walk – the legs “get heavy”.The pain can cover their entire lower part. Still very often the legs hurt when the state of the vessels is disturbed, when the blood flows poorly and enters the tissues, the nerve receptors are irritated. The case may be associated with thrombophlebitis (then the pain is jerky, there is a burning sensation along the affected vein, stronger in the calves). With atherosclerosis, there is also a feeling that the legs are squeezed in a vice. Lead to pain and diseases of the spine, including osteochondrosis. Not to mention the fact that muscles can ache when, due to excess body weight, the load on the lower extremities increases.Particularly affected are those who have a large weight combined with a small foot or lower leg. On the other hand, muscle pain can be a complication of fasting. Kyphosis, stomach ulcers, systemic autoimmune diseases, flu, tonsillitis also often occur with muscle pain. He sometimes accompanies pregnancy. Changes in a woman’s body necessarily affect the muscles. Moreover, smooth muscles are more involved in the process (uterine walls, intestines, blood vessels, hair follicles, abdominal muscles).The skeletal muscles also have a load, because the woman’s weight is constantly increasing. It is hard on the back, because the center of gravity in the body shifts. What can we say about the legs! And they respond with muscle cramps, pain in the evenings. To prevent and alleviate all these unpleasant phenomena, you should take vitamins with trace elements, do special exercises. And it is better to physically prepare the body for pregnancy in advance.

If the pain in the muscles does not go away or is very strong, you need to make an appointment with a rheumatologist, traumatologist or neurologist.There are certain patterns that give the doctor food for thought. For example, muscle pain at night is most often associated with cramps. They are especially common in caviar. Reasons: overexertion of the muscles during the daytime, lack of magnesium, calcium and potassium in the diet, the primary phase of diabetes. Before visiting the doctor, you can try to diversify your diet with herbs, radishes, carrots. Exercising for the legs, which is done right in bed, is very useful. Before going to bed, you should warm up the sore spot with a heating pad, but not very hot.

Each disease has its own treatment, it must be prescribed by a doctor. But in any case, ointments for pain and an anesthetic fluid containing novocaine, menthol, alcohol and anesthesin help. Mountain arnica extract is an effective remedy for compresses and rubbing. Bee and snake venom are used for myositis, radiculitis, muscle and ligament injuries. Competent massage can alleviate the condition. Non-hormonal anti-inflammatory drugs not only dull pain, but also relieve inflammation, although such drugs cannot be taken for a long time due to side effects.

Olga PERESADA, Professor of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, BelMAPO, Doctor of Medical Sciences.

Soviet Belarus No. 250 (25132). Wednesday, 28 December 2016

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90,000 Numbness and “chills” in the arms and legs: causes of paresthesia and diagnosis

Numbness in the arms and legs is an unpleasant sensation that is familiar to everyone.Often unpleasant “bonuses” to it are tingling in the limbs and running “goose bumps”.

Often, we experience similar sensations in the limbs if we “sat” the leg or the arm was squeezed. Then there is nothing wrong with that, because the numbness quickly passes.

And what if paresthesia (this is the medical term for numbness of the arms and legs, along with “goose bumps”) is prolonged? What reasons can provoke its appearance? How to diagnose the true causes? Read about it below.

Numbness of hands and feet – what causes it?

As described above, normal paresthesia occurs due to the presence of a part of the body in a compressed position for a certain time. After normal blood flow is resumed in the limb, this is accompanied by tingling sensations, those very “goose bumps”, sometimes even a slight burning sensation. This is fine.

But if numbness of the arms and legs begins to occur frequently for no apparent reason, you should be alert and undergo a diagnosis.

Most common causes of pathological paresthesia:

• Mechanical damage to the nerves.
• Infectious or metabolic diseases affecting nerve endings.
• Neoplasms.
• Avitaminosis.

Pathological numbness of the arms and legs is nothing more than a reaction of the body to constant irritation or damage to the nerve endings. Paresthesia is also possible as a response to damage to the brain or spinal cord.

Depending on the location of the lesions in the body, the causes of numbness in the arms and legs may differ.

Causes of hand numbness:

• Osteochondrosis, trauma and neoplasms of the vertebrae in the cervical spine. Then the loss of sensitivity in the hands is combined with pain in the muscles and the inability to clench the hands.
• Problems with the muscles of the neck (inflammation or simply overstrain). Not only can the neck hurt and the hands are taken away, but even the temperature can rise.
• Circulatory disorders in the vessels supplying the brain. Then hand numbness may be the first symptom of a stroke. Therefore, if, after paresthesia, a person has paralysis and speech disorders, do not hesitate! Call an ambulance, because the count goes for minutes!
• Multiple sclerosis (necessarily accompanied by many other symptoms).
• Lack of calcium in the body. In this case, muscle cramps will also be observed.
• Damage to nerve endings is a consequence of various causes (infections, diabetes, alcoholism).

Causes of leg numbness:

• Any surgical intervention in the spinal cord (puncture or operation). In addition to numbness, the patient will also feel weakness and pain in the muscles.
• Degenerative diseases of the spine, trauma and neoplasms in the spinal cord (especially at the lumbar level). All signs are the same as for surgery.
• Multiple sclerosis.
• Raynaud’s disease (feeling of cold feet and paresthesia down to the tips of the toes).
• Disruption of normal blood flow (this often occurs in atherosclerosis and diabetes mellitus). In this case, the skin turns pale, at night a person suffers from cramps and pain in the legs.
• Polyneuropathy (damage to nerve fibers). Develops with diabetes, intoxication, alcoholism.
• Rabies. If the bite of an animal has led to the development of the disease, then paresthesia of the limb for which the animal has bitten will be only the first symptom. If the bitten leg begins to go numb, you should immediately go to the hospital!

Numbness of hands and feet – the best diagnostic methods

If any of the above symptoms occur, the patient should consult a neurologist.

This specialist will not only prescribe the necessary diagnostic tests, but also further therapy based on the results of the examination.

One of the most popular, informative and well-proven methods all over the world is MRI. Magnetic resonance imaging allows you to obtain high-precision images of the spine, spinal cord and brain to reliably identify the causes of numbness in the arms and legs.

Among the additional methods for diagnosing paresthesia:

• Doppler ultrasonography of the vessels of the head, neck and extremities.
• Electrocardiography (ECG).
• Electroencephalography (EEG).
• Electroneuromyography (ENMG).
• Rheovasography (RVG).
• Laboratory research (diagnostics of diabetes mellitus, intoxication, etc.).

If you experience any symptom atypical for you, do not hesitate to see a doctor. The sooner the diagnosis is made, the sooner you can return to a quality life!

90,000 Leg pain: treatment at the clinic

How to stop going to doctors and pharmacies and get real help?

• Expert level of specialists – we are consulted by doctors with over 25 years of experience.
• Team Opinion – Physicians from several specialties work together to achieve the best result.
• The consultation lasts as long as necessary – in order to understand the situation in detail.

Make an initial appointment and find out:

• What is the cause of your illness, the exact diagnosis and the stage of the process.
• What suits you for treatment, and what procedures are contraindicated.
• What to do at home – Exercise, nutrition, and more.
• And also immediately go through the first treatment procedure.

Depending on the stage of the disease, we choose one or several treatment methods:

Osteopathy

Soft technique for working with the spine, joints, muscles, ligaments, internal organs. Eliminates pain syndrome, starts the self-healing process.

Therapeutic massage, osteopathy, manual therapy

Helps bones and joints to take the correct physiological position, relieves pain and spasms, relaxes muscles.

Acupuncture

Work on biologically active points. Acts on the affected area and the body as a whole. Eliminates the cause of the disease and removes the symptoms.

In addition, according to indications, the following are used: taping, pharmacopuncture, FormTotics insoles, exercise therapy with an instructor and other methods. The choice of procedures depends on the current state; in combination, they act faster and give a more lasting result.

treatment by an osteopath

Pain in the legs

14 causes of leg pain
Do not forget to share this information with family, friends and work colleagues!
Often people do not attach importance to pain in the lower extremities, but in vain, because discomfort is a symptom of diseases, the treatment of which must be started at the first stages of pathology.That is why you cannot ignore the symptoms if you experience pain or discomfort in this area on a daily basis.

The big toe hurts. The veins in the legs hurt, why and the feet, feet, calves. The pain radiates to the leg below the knees. What to do if your legs hurt from hip to foot, toes, heels, muscles, leg joints, hip. Woman’s caviar. Legs from hip to knee. Pain in the buttock.

Do not think about the usual feeling of “powerlessness” of the legs in the evening – this is fatigue that goes away after sleep in the morning.Consider more dangerous diseases.

Why legs, feet, feet, calves, below the knees, toes hurt. What to do. Leg muscles, joints, buttocks, lower back. The child has pain in his legs. The bone on the leg hurts. Drawing pain in the leg.

Endarteritis
Endarteritis is an inflammatory process of the inner membranes in the arteries. Symptoms include sharp pain and numbness in the lower leg after taking hundreds of steps. When you stop, the pain goes away, but when you continue walking, it returns again.Pain in the calf and foot occurs even at rest, but if you lower your leg, the discomfort goes away.

Atherosclerosis of the arteries
Symptoms include pain and cramps in the calf muscles. Their amplification occurs during the process of walking or running, climbing stairs, and sometimes even occur at night. Hypothermia is also observed, regardless of the ambient temperature. There is no pulsation of the artery on the big toe. Men may notice hair loss on their fingers, impotence.

Arthritis / arthrosis
Twisting type pain is a clear symptom of these diseases. The onset occurs during walking or long standing. Deformation of the joints, meteorological dependence, swelling with pain, redness at the place of the fold are also characteristic.

Diseases of the genitourinary type.
Characterized by pain in the hips.

Thrombophlebitis
Pulsating pain, burning sensation at the calf, redness, swelling, thickening of the venous vessels – these are the symptoms that characterize thrombophlebitis.

Result of fractures
In this case, aching pain appears in the place where the fracture occurred. Visible when walking.

Spur in the heel
Pain in the heel region occurs abruptly during normal walking or jogging.

Diabetes
The legs often have cramps (often they occur at night), fluid accumulation, a feeling of weakness, soreness, dry skin in the place of the legs, peeling and a desire to scratch this place. Numbness of the legs, goose bumps, and then an unpleasant tingling sensation are also noted.

Feet in the morning when stepping. Feet, reasons. Thumb joint. From knee to foot. Loins, extends to the leg, feet, calves, when stepped on. Causes. The child has. Aching bone. Pain in the leg in the heel. Feet. Toenail. Below the knees. Feet. It hurts under the knee on the right. Muscle pain. The child complains about which doctor to go to. Why does heel hurt? Pain in the calves of the legs, radiating to the right in the lower back. Causes. Why do feet hurt? What to do, how to treat.The legs are very sore, from the knee to the foot. From hip to foot.

Osteoporosis
Everybody will notice the symptoms of osteoporosis. These include cramps and pain in the calf muscles, which is a signal that the body is not getting enough calcium. Often women suffer from this during menopause.

Myalgia
Muscle pain of “twitching”, “cutting”, “pulling” character. It is possible to increase it during sports activities, especially when the body has not yet “warmed up” before physical activity.

Gout
The pain in the big toe is pulsating, even if the leg is immobilized. In this case, the finger swells, turns red, there is hyperthermia and increased sensitivity.

Legs below the knees, reasons. In women and men. Low back pain radiating to the left leg. Joint pain. Veins in the legs hurt, what to do, in the soles of the legs, in the buttock, radiating to the leg, under the knee, left leg, from the thigh, joints of the arms and legs. Feet, what to do, how to treat, legs during pregnancy.The child has legs at night. Muscles from thigh to knee, calf, causes. Aching pain in legs, bones.

Varicose veins
Feeling of tightness, which intensifies in the evening. The legs seem to be buzzing, and only lifting the legs up helps.

Osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral region
The pain of a sharp nature intensifies with excessive exertion or fast movements. Breathing in a supine position does not help. Discomfort runs along the side and back of the entire leg, from the heel to the buttocks.

Flat feet
Pain in the ankle, which intensifies in the evening. Legs get tired quickly while walking, there is a desire to sit or lie down.

Interesting

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Primary physician: Kirill Klyuev

Tests for coronavirus

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