Fix The Source Of Leg Pain, Cramps, Numbness, Tingling & Weakness
CSC offers holistic leg pain treatment for numbness, tingling & weakness. Let our clinical teams fix & repair the source of your aches & pain in the leg; contact one of our centers now!
The Clinical Importance Of Leg Pain, Leg Discomfort & Leg Cramps
Leg pain and leg cramps are common symptoms. According to a survey published in the Huffington Post, 26% of the population lives with leg pain or leg cramps (muscle cramps). Pain in the leg or muscle cramp can be intermittent or constant and gradually or suddenly, affect the entire leg or a portion of it.
Clinically, leg pain, discomfort, or cramps are of great importance. If the condition is not accurately diagnosed, it can progress, causing irreparable damage to vessels and nerves of the leg. Therefore, it is advised not to overlook leg pain and get them treated and rectified early to avoid progression and disability.
Generally speaking, the human leg is the whole lower limb, staring at the thigh and ending at the foot. However, the actual anatomical definition of the leg is the part that extends from the knee downward. In this article, we will use the general or layperson’s meaning of the leg. In other words, we will discuss issues and conditions that cause the leg to hurt or cause leg pain and muscle cramps or muscle cramps, from the hip to the foot.
Common Causes Of Leg Pain
The most common cause of leg pain is a muscle cramp, often referred to as a charley horse. Charley horse-like pains in the leg or muscle cramps commonly occur due to overuse or replenished nutrients or electrolyte imbalances due to insufficient hydration or excessive alcohol intake. Leg cramps and discomfort resulting from muscle issues are self-limiting and often not serious when maintaining a well-hydrated state.
However, suppose you experience frequent leg cramps and pains. In that case, you may want to seek advice and consultation from one of our experts to rule out sinister causes or co-conditions that are known causative factors in the development of leg symptoms. Severe causes of leg pain that need urgent attention include sciatica, leg pain, vascular leg pain, and neuropathic leg pain.
Top 20 Causes & Conditions Of Leg Pain:
- Tendinitis
- Bursitis
- Baker’s cyst
- Gout
- Hamstring pulls or injuries
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Slipped discs (bulging disc or herniated disc)
- Growing pains
- Infection
- Claudication
- Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
- Gout or increased uric acid levels
- Growing pains
- Legg-Calve-Perthes disease
- Meralgia paresthetica
- Nightly leg cramps
- Osgood-Schlatter disease
- Sprains & strains
- Vascular issues such as varicose veins
- Prenatal or postpartum (pregnancy pain or issues) that cause leg sciatica during pregnancy
Sciatica Leg Pain Causes
Sciatica is descriptive of tingling, numbness, burning sensation, or pain that runs down the back of the leg. Sciatic leg pain or sciatica is a condition resulting in impingement and irritation of the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve is the longest in the body. Sciatic nerve forms in the pelvis when the nerves from the lower back (L4, L5, S1, and S2 nerves) combine to form in the deeper layers of the pelvis before it emerges or arrives in the buttocks. Once formed, it runs down the back of the leg to the toes. Sciatica leg pain causes are many, but bulging and herniated lower back discs are the most common cause of sciatica leg pain.
Spinal joint arthritis, slipped discs, and excessively tight gluteal or piriformis muscles may also cause sciatica leg pain symptoms. Here are the most common sciatica leg pain causes:
- Slipped disc (over 90% of sciatica leg pain causes are linked to slipped discs)
- Hypertrophy of spinal joints or bony arthritis (bone spurs) compressing lower back nerves
- Thickening or hypertrophy of Ligamentum flavum
- Spondylosis and spondylolisthesis
- Piriformis syndrome, gluteal & Hamstring muscle damage
- Pelvic misalignment & pelvic imbalances
- Prenatal and postnatal hormonal & weight gains during pregnancy
Leg Pain During Pregnancy
Leg pain during pregnancy is most common during the 7th month of pregnancy. Postural and weight gain changes are most prevalent throughout pregnancy and rapidly increase after the 4th month. Although leg pain can occur at any time during pregnancy, they are more commonplace at the beginning or during the third trimester or 6th month of pregnancy. Most pregnant women with preexisting back or pelvic issues will start noticing leg pains and cramps between the 4-6th months of pregnancy.
Leg pains during pregnancy that progressively worsened need assessment to identify the root cause. The most common cause of leg pain during pregnancy is sciatica. Also, water retention, changes in the center of gravity, and increased weight are common factors in the development of leg symptoms while pregnant and for the first six months after delivery (postpartum pregnancy pain). Contact CSC on 017 269 1873 now to learn more about our prenatal and postpartum treatments for new and expecting mothers in Kuala Lumpur.
What Causes The Sciatica Leg Pain During Pregnancy?
The pregnancy changes seen in hormone levels and weight are the primary culprits in developing lower back pain or sciatica leg pain during pregnancy. Another possible cause of sciatica leg pain during pregnancy is the expanding uterus as the baby grows. A pregnant woman’s center of gravity changes as the uterus expands for the growing baby. The postural changes of pregnancy that shift the center of gravity can cause misalignments in the pelvic bones and the sacrum (tail bone). Nearly all pregnant with sacral or pelvic misalignments will have a degree of sciatic nerve compression causing leg pain.
Sciatica Leg Pain Relief & Best Treatment Options
Pregnancy-specific methods of chiropractic that repositions a misaligned pelvic bone or the sacrum safely are the best treatment for sciatic-related pregnancy pain that runs down one or both legs. There are many pregnancy-specific chiropractic techniques, and the best of all these is the Activator method of chiropractic care for pregnant women and new mothers.
For best results and as a safety measure, avoid all methods of physiotherapy or chiropractic that require you to lay down on your tummy or your side; the therapist or doctor of chiropractic treats your spine. Even the pregnancy-specific methods provided while you lay on your side are not as effective as the Activator chiropractic treatment methods for pregnant women and new mothers.
The clinical team of Chiropractic Specialty Center® in Bukit Damansara provides the most holistic pregnancy pain treatments in Malaysia that combine pregnancy physiotherapy with chiropractic care for prenatal and postpartum leg pain and sciatica patients. Get the most out of your sciatica leg pain treatment during pregnancy by visiting our Bukit Damansara center in Kuala Lumpur today!
Your Legs Are The Pillar That Holds You Up
If our bodies were buildings, our legs would be the cornerstones. Extending from the hips to the feet, our legs take the brunt of the pressure as we carry out our healthy daily living activities. When we walk, run, jump, squat, or climb stairs, significant mechanical loads go through the legs.
Pain in the leg or legs occurs when the sciatic nerve is injured or pinched. Irritation of the sciatic nerve is the leading cause of nerve pain in the legs. Nerve pain can be present in kids and adults. But, nerve pain in kids is often neglected or misdiagnosed as growing pains. Therefore, an accurate diagnosis of the cause of leg pain, muscle cramps, or the so-called growing pains must be thoroughly evaluated, especially in kids.
Yes, a child can have growing pain, but chronic or persistent complaints of pain or muscle cramps must rule out nerve pain caused by impingement of the sciatic nerve. As such, we encourage you to have a detailed assessment of your condition or your child’s muscle cramps, even if you think they are growing pains.
How Many Bones Are There In The Leg?
The legs are made up of multiple bones: the femur, tibia, fibula, and patella, along with the 26 bones of the feet. Every bone in the leg is a weight-bearing bone, save the fibula and the patella. The fibula is located on the leg’s lateral or outer aspect and runs parallel to the tibia or shinbone. It is a support structure and provides the site for the attachment of ligaments and muscles. The same holds for the patella.
Wear & Tear: A Cause Leg Pain & Leg Cramps
The most common cause of a sore leg or leg pain or a muscle cramp is wear and tear. Ligament and muscle injuries (soft tissue injuries), including joint & sports injuries, leg injuries, accidents, or overuse, are common causes of painful legs or sore legs. The one issue that stands true is that leg pain and leg cramps are not healthy. In addition to the mechanical disorder, there are various health conditions, including leg injuries (soft tissue injuries), fractures, cancer, circulatory insufficiencies, right-sided heart failure, diabetes, spinal disc issues, and rheumatoid and osteoarthritic conditions that cause leg cramps or leg pain.
In other words, if you suffer from a painful leg or if you experience leg cramps, you must take steps to identify the root cause and initiate therapy or treatment programs to resolve them holistically at the earliest signs or symptoms. Neglecting or ignoring leg pain or cramps can have consequences that are too great to bear.
Leg Pains, Muscle Cramps, Muscle Injuries & Growing Pains
First and foremost, don’t be quick in dismissing pain in the legs as a growing pain or muscle cramps. We have seen a fair share of patients that neglected minor issues or dismissed their initial symptoms as growing pains. Recovery from a mild or minor disorder is always faster. Therefore, visit us if you frequently experience pain in your legs. Let us first elaborate on the leg pain, muscle cramps, or leg cramps caused by mechanical disorders and the effects of neglecting them.
Leg injuries such as muscle injury, ligament injury, and nerve injury can cause significant pain in the legs. Other causes could include torn ligaments, ruptured tendons, and even bone fractures. The pain felt may feel like a dull ache or sharp. Regardless of the type, accurate diagnosis and targeted care are needed. The characteristic sign of leg injuries, muscle injury, or fracture is swelling. Contact our center today for a thorough evaluation of your condition. We have the best non-surgical clinical teams to address all issues holistically.
Degenerative Causes Of Leg Pain, Cramps & Sore Legs
Degeneration can also play a part in mechanically induced leg discomfort, leg cramps, or painful legs. As bone spurs form in the hips, knees, ankles, or feet, muscles will start to tighten up, causing patients to experience severe, aching pain in their legs. Traumatic injuries or overuse can also trigger leg cramps and discomfort. Conditions, such as shin splints, commonly seen among sports players, runners (runner’s knee), and children, are leading causes of painful legs. However, on a positive note, mechanical problems can be treated easily through our accurate diagnosis and targeted leg pain treatment. Targeted conservative therapies such as advanced clinical chiropractic treatment and sports physiotherapy in KL have long been proven to achieve fantastic results for those who suffer from mechanical causes of painful legs.
A Painful Leg & Sore Leg Are Common Symptoms Of A Spine Disorder
The low back is a common source of numb legs, sore legs, and leg cramps. Conditions such as spinal stenosis or a slipped disc & spondylosis (slipped disc), spinal disc degeneration, herniated disc, and osteoarthritis are the leading causes of discomfort, pain, pins & needles, and cramping in one or both legs. The vast majority of these patients may also experience numbness, tingling, and burning sensations (pins and needles), as well as weakness in their legs. However, there are many instances in which one can have leg cramps or painful legs and exhibit no low back pain or symptoms. Therefore, having no lower back pain signs does not exclude the spine as a source of your leg pain, cramps, numbness, or weakness.
In our centers, we have assessed thousands of back patients in whom a painful leg was the primary complaint. We have seen thousands of spine (back) patients that presented with achy legs without back pain. Therefore, to rule out the low back or the spine as a source, you need an assessment by our clinical experts. We understand the spine and leg conditions better than others. Besides, the treatments and technologies we use others do not have. If you live in Malaysia and suffer from a painful leg, visit our center for an accurate assessment that identifies the cause of your leg issues. Treating the symptomatic leg is easy; the hard part is identifying the actual cause through correct diagnosis. Let one of the experts in our center assess you today.
Chiropractic Specialty Center® Provides The Best Back Pain & Slip-Disc Treatment That Fixes The Cause Of Back Pain & Leg Pain
As mentioned earlier, your leg pain might be the result of spine disorders involving your lower back. The most common spine disorder that causes leg pain are:
- Sciatica & leg pain
- Slipped Disc (Slip-Disc)
- Degenerated Spinal Discs
- Hypertrophy of Ligamentum Flavum
- Facet Hypertrophy
- Spondylosis
- Spondylolisthesis
- Scoliosis (moderate and severe scoliotic curves)
- Nerve Pain
- Arthritis and Bone Spurs
- Spine Surgery
Chiropractic Specialty Center® offers the best non-surgical treatment for leg pain caused by the above-mentioned conditions. Our expert clinical teams of chiropractors and physiotherapists have the skills and advanced spine technology to fix and repair your leg pain’s actual cause without surgery or injections. For more information about our targeted corrective treatments of spine conditions for leg pain, please call our main center at 03 2093 1000.
Core Muscles & Painful Leg
Core muscle issues and weakness are known causes of leg pain. Your core muscles fall into two groups: the major core muscles and the minor core muscles. The primary core muscles include the diaphragm, abdominal muscles, spinal muscles (muscles of the mid and low back), and pelvic floor muscles. Your minor core muscles are the latissimus dorsi, gluteus maximus, gluteus medius, gluteus minimus, piriformis, and trapezius.
Leg symptoms or pain that originates from the core muscles are compensatory changes in the pelvis, hips, knees, and ankles. As the core muscles weaken, the workload on your weight-bearing joints increases. The increasing workload can lead to leg muscle fatigue, leading to pain in the legs. Additionally, chronic weakness in the core muscles is a major contributing factor to the degenerative changes often seen in the hips or knees.
Occupational Causes Of Sore & Painful Legs
If your work involves standing for prolonged periods, it can cause leg pain. The vast majority of those who stand for long periods at work complain of chronic leg pain. Standing in an upright posture engages the core muscles. Prolonged standing leads to fatigue of the core muscles as well as the leg muscles. In addition to muscle fatigue, standing for prolonged periods can result in vascular disorders such as varicose veins. Standing too long is not healthy, but sitting for extended periods of being bedridden may be even worse. Those who sit for prolonged periods and bedridden patients have increased chances of developing a potentially fatal type of leg pain that arises from blood clots.
Deep vein thrombosis or DVT is a vascular disorder in which the blood clots in the deep veins of the lower legs or thighs. DVT is a known cause of leg pain. Regarding this issue, we have provided a link for your future reference at the bottom of this article under the known causes of leg pain.
Sitting & Sore Legs
Pronged standing is wrong, but sitting is just as bad. So if your job involves standing, try walking around and moving frequently. If you sit for extended periods, try moving your legs. Sitting can cause blood clots, but moving your legs now and again can get the blood to circulate and prevent pooling (clotting). Our best advice is that you visit us for a thorough assessment. Don’t take a chance. Let us help you.
Footwear & Leg Cramps Or Pain
Shoes cause the most avoidable leg pain. Those with diabetes, circulatory disorders, spinal disc issues, sciatic nerve, and core muscle weakness are even at higher risk of developing acute leg pain resulting from improper footwear. Prevention is best, so if you already have leg pain, heed the warning and get a quality pair of shoes. We have identified the absolute worse types of footwear. The list below includes the types of footwear you need to avoid today, especially if you already have leg pain:
- Flip-flops
- Stiletto heels
- Ballet flats
- Platform shoes
- Worn-out shoes
- High-heeled boots.
Leg pain also results from a host of other health disorders, some of which can be relatively severe. If your leg symptoms persist for more than a week, or if you get frequent leg-pain attacks, please do call us. To help you understand the causes of leg pain, we have provided a list of health issues and conditions that cause this problem. Please share this information on your social media platforms to educate your friends and family members. Sharing is caring.
Conditions That Cause Sore Legs, Leg Cramps, Or Achy Legs:
- Achilles tendon Injury
- Ankylosing spondylitis
- ACL injury (Anterior cruciate ligament injury)
- Back pain
- Facet hypertrophy or Arthritis
- Hypertrophy of Ligamentum Falvum
- Baker’s cyst
- Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome
- PCL Knee Injuries
- Bone cancer
- Broken Leg
- Bursitis
- Chronic exertional compartment syndrome
- Claudication
- Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
- Gout
- Growth plate fractures
- Hamstring injury
- Disc herniation
- Infection
- Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis
- Knee pain
- Acute knee injury
- Legg-Calve-Perthes disease
- Meralgia paresthetica
- Muscle disorders
- Night leg cramps
- Osteoarthritis
- Patellofemoral pain syndrome
- Peripheral artery disease
- Peripheral neuropathy
- Posterior cruciate ligament injury
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Sacroiliitis
- Sciatica & spondylolisthesis
- Shin splints
- Spinal stenosis
- Stress fractures
- Tendinitis
- Thrombophlebitis
- Torn meniscus
- Varicose veins
- Overuse knee injury
For more information about the sore leg, leg pain, leg cramps, numbness and tingling in legs, and leg pain treatment, please call the main center at 03 2093 1000. One of our clinical team members will answer all questions and concerns about leg pain treatment when you contact us. We can fix and repair the source of your leg pain faster!