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Discomfort or pain in the leg can range from a standard ache or cramp to an intense stabbing or burning sensation. Most often, leg pain is the result of a minor injury, cramping or overuse. There are a few injuries or medical conditions that can lead to leg pain, as well. Injuries like shin splints, tendonitis, sprains or strains can result in leg pain. On the other hand, conditions like arthritis, deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and gout can result in leg pains. If you suspect that your leg pain may be the result of something deeper than a cramp, minor injury or overuse, consider going to your doctor to have your leg looked at. That being said, most cases of leg pain will simply go away, or can be treated with at home remedies. In this post from the Comprehensive Spine Center of Dallas blog, we’ll be discussing some at-home leg pain relief tips for minor leg injuries or cramps.
As with most minor injuries or cases of overuse, rest is the best medicine when it comes to relieving your leg pain. If your leg hurts, try your best not to use it. Keeping your leg elevated when sitting in a chair is necessary and is a good call, but ideally, try to stay laying down as much as possible. By keeping your leg rested and elevated as much as possible, you’re giving your body the best chance to heal quickly and efficiently, at home and without having to go to the doctor.
If your leg pain is the result of swelling, adding ice to the affected area can help reduce swelling and relieve pain. Applying ice to the affected area works by reducing blood flow to that particular area, which can significantly reduce swelling and inflammation that causes leg pain, especially surrounding a tendon or joint. Furthermore, icing your leg can temporarily reduce nerve activity, which can also contribute to pain relief. Along with rest, applying ice to your minor leg injury or cramp is perhaps the most effective at home leg pain relief tip.
On the other end of icing your leg injury is applying heat to it. Taking a warm bath will allow your muscles to loosen, while stretching will allow them to remain active during recovery. If you’re looking for lower leg pain relief, try pointing and straightening your toes while sitting or standing. If the pain is in the upper part of your leg, try to bend over and touch your toes. Either of these stretches can be done while sitting on the ground or standing up. Make sure to ease into your stretch to avoid further injury, and if the pain gets worse while stretching, stop immediately.
Over the counter pain medications or anti-inflammatories are an excellent way to relieve leg pain from minor injury, cramping, or overuse. Oftentimes, leg pain from overuse is the result of inflammation of the area. Anti-inflammatory medications like Ibuprofen are a great way to relieve minor leg pain at home. Other pain medications like tylenol and aspirin are also great options for over the counter pain relief. Before using over the counter pain medications to relieve leg pain, make sure to ask your doctor which kind of medication is right for you. Consulting with your doctor before taking over the counter medications is especially important for those with high blood pressure, diabetes, or other underlying medical conditions whether or not it relates to your leg pain.
Deciding whether or not your leg pain warrants a trip to the emergency room or doctor can be a tough decision to make. If you're experiencing long-lasting swelling, on-going pain while walking, varicose veins that are causing discomfort, or general discomfort that is getting worse and lasting beyond a few days, it may be time to go see your doctor. If you have a fever, deep cut, your leg is red and warm to the touch, your leg is pale and cool to the touch, or you’re unable to put any weight on your leg or walk, there may be a more serious injury or condition. When experiencing any of these symptoms, you should consider going to the hospital. If you’re located in the Dallas or Fort Worth area, the Comprehensive Spine Center of Dallas is here to help you find the proper treatment for leg pain. Our team of pain management experts have years of experience assisting patients with pain relief. We’ll diagnose the reason for your leg pain, then create a treatment and therapy program that’s right for you. To learn more about leg pain relief in the Dallas / Fort Worth area, reach out to our pain management experts today.
