Leg Muscle Pain: Causes, Symptoms, Treatments

Sometimes leg pain is throbbing, sometimes you may encounter a sharp pain. There can often be several reasons for leg muscle pain and you might have simply scratched your knee or are feeling the effects of a long run – in these instances home treatment will help to relieve your pain.

Severe or prolonged leg pain should be evaluated by your doctor. Get a diagnosis and treatment for any underlying disease promptly so that your pain doesn’t worsen over time and so that your prognosis may be improved. More common causes of leg pain can be minor problems or short-lived issues that your GP can treat very effectively.

Cramps – Muscle cramp or spasm is the most common source of leg pain, also known as ‘a charley horse’. If you have a cramp, you might experience a shock to the system with an extremely acute pain and the leg muscle will suddenly go into spasm, and might harden into a lump you can feel under the skin surface. The area will be red, maybe some swelling will happen, too.

Muscle fatigue or dehydration – which can cause electrolyte imbalance – might be the culprit of leg cramps. Many people have this pain after a run or workout. And some drugs can provoke leg cramps – including diuretics and statins – in individuals who are predisposed.

Treating leg pain at home

You can get relief from leg muscle pain at home, such as from cramps or a minor injury. The home treatments for leg pain when it’s from a muscle cramp, tired or overused muscles are:

• Rest your leg as much as possible

• Elevate your leg with pillows.

• Aspirin or ibuprofen can help dull the pain while your leg heals.

• Wear compression socks or stockings with support.

• Apply ice

• Place an ice pack over the part of your leg where you’ve been having pain. Repeat this at least four times a day, or even more, during the first few days since the pain first started.

• Take a warm bath and stretch

• Take supplements and vitamins. Curcumin and Turmeric are excellent natural remedies for things like cramp.

Preventing leg pain

Always warm up and stretch your muscles before a work out – otherwise the risk of tears, sprains and strains will rise. Make sure to get some form of exercise, for at least half an hour a day, at least five days a week. But you don’t have to break a sweat for it – as long as you go for a walk.

Be sure you eat enough bananas and chicken to get your daily dose of potassium and iron respectively. Stay well-hydrated by consuming a minimum of 8 glasses of water daily. Weight management – extra weight will put a strain on your legs and make them ache or hurt

Avoid sitting down for too long at a time – keep your body moving as much as possible – this will help with circulation. Refrain from smoking. Monitor blood pressure and cholesterol levels closely to ensure they remain within healthy ranges. Restrict the amount of alcohol consumed.

Summary

Anyone who has suffered aches in leg muscles well knows that it can be a painful ordeal. Anyway there are several ways to avoid leg pain. Pain travels on nerves. If you develop pain in your legs, particularly recurring pain, book an appointment with your GP.