There are few things in life that are as frustrating as experiencing pain in your legs. Our legs take us where we need to go. When they are causing us pain or not performing properly, it’s easy to feel immobile as a result.
Leg pain can be experienced in different forms, through a variety of causes. It can range from a minor annoyance that comes and goes intermittently, to a debilitating and constant pain that makes it difficult to do everyday activities, such as walking, running errands, or sleeping.
What are some common causes of leg pain?
At Petett Chiropractic, the majority of the patients with leg pain are as a result of overuse or overexertion. Overuse injuries may cause pain and can be thought of as multiple minor traumatic injuries to muscles, tendons, and joints that occur over a longer time span. Examples of overuse injuries include: shin splints, strains, cramps, or stress fracture.
Trauma is the most obvious source of leg pain. Car accidents, sports-related injuries, falls or twisting injuries are common traumatic injuries that can cause leg pain, due to damaged bones, muscles, or joints. Examples of traumatic leg injuries include: fractures or sprains.
In some cases, an underlying medical condition may be causing your leg pain. One of the most common types of leg pain we see is sciatic nerve pain, which caused by a pinched nerve in the lower back. The sciatic nerve runs from the lower back down the back of each leg. When an injury occurs or pressure is applied on the sciatic nerve, it can cause mild to severe pain in the low back that spreads to the leg. Sciatica typically affects only one leg, and primarily felt in the buttock, the thigh down to the calf, or even to the toes.
Sciatica is the most common symptom of degenerative disc disease or a herniated disc. As we get older, our disks that protect our spine weaken and become more vulnerable to injury, causing pain to the sciatic nerve. Pregnancy is also known to cause sciatica because pressure on the sciatic nerve from the growing uterus.
Chiropractic care for chronic leg pain
Ask yourself: Do you experience pain from your buttocks, thighs, or calves? Do you feel a tingling or numbness in the feet or toes? Or do you suffer from a burning or aching sensation when you walk or sit? While ice-packs and over-the-counter or prescription medicine can ease pain temporarily, it’s time to begin a holistic treatment plan to benefit your overall health and wellbeing, while improving your leg pain symptoms.
When combined with exercise and proper medical advice, research has shown that chiropractic care can ease back-related leg pain better than exercise and advice alone. For many people when they think of chiropractic care, they likely think spinal or back adjustments. Chiropractic care is beneficial for a variety of areas of the body, including the legs. Petett Chiropractic offers a non-surgical, all-natural treatment for leg pain to both minimize symptoms and prevent new ones from occurring.
For any questions on regarding your leg pain or treatment options, contact your dedicated team at Renton’s Petett Chiropractic today. Our chiropractors Dr. Scott and Anne Petett have treated tens of thousands of King County patients in Renton, Kent, Seattle-area and beyond. We also offer massage therapy, hot/cold therapy, and other services at our chiropractic center to help you maintain your optimal help.