What Can a Chiropractor Do for My Leg Pain?
Leg pain affects many people on a daily basis. Depending on the cause and everyone’s situation, symptoms of leg pain may present in various ways. For some, the pain begins in the lower back and travels down one or both legs. Some experience pain down the back of the legs (sciatica), some on the front of the thighs, and others down the side of the legs. Then there are others who experience pain only below the knee or solely in the feet or toes.
Pain can be associated with different parts of the body, like the hip, ankle, thigh, knees and feet but they would not be categorized as leg pain, and as such receive specific treatment in these areas. Doctors must perform an in-depth analysis or evaluation to deduce the specific cause of the leg pain. They will want to rule out that it isn’t caused by a fall or some other traumatic injury. It is important they rule out strains, disc issues and/or broken bones that might be creating the leg pain.
One of the more common leg pain issues is sciatica, an irritation of the sciatic nerve, which begins at the base of your spine. It is the largest nerve in the body and is joined to the lower lumbar and sacral regions. Pain associated with this nerve can be felt in regions of the lower leg, thigh, buttocks and calves. This ailment makes performing normal daily functions next to impossible, and relief is difficult when patients try to find a comfortable position. The location of the pain varies depending on the anatomical or neurological structures involved. The pain may be described in a variety of ways, including sharp, dull, heavy, aching, burning, numbness, and/or tingling.
During your initial consultation, the chiropractor will perform an evaluation to determine what abnormalities in your spine may be contributing to chronic pain in the leg. The doctor will utilize a physical exam, as well as X-rays, to assess the problem. Then prescribe a comprehensive, holistic regimen that includes dietary change suggestions, regular exercise and spinal adjustments, to help you get better as quickly as possible.