When most people think of the work performed by chiropractors, their thoughts turn to spinal adjustments and back pain. However, chiropractors can treat a wide range of conditions affecting and relating to the musculoskeletal system.
In fact, many of the patients who visit our London chiropractic Clinic – MotionBack don’t even suffer from back pain. They are seeking help for their knee, hip, neck, or leg pain. Chiropractic care is particularly useful for treating leg pain and helping patients regain their lost mobility.
In this post, I’ll identify the most common types of leg pain and what causes leg pain. I’ll also explain how chiropractic care can alleviate leg pain.
Are you dealing with leg pain? Considering booking an appointment with one of our experienced team of London Chiropractors by calling 0207 112 5408 or by booking online on our website here. Continue reading to learn how chiropractic can reduce leg pain.
Types of Leg Pain
There are three types of leg pain:
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Musculoskeletal
This refers to pain involving one or more components of the musculoskeletal system, which includes the body’s bones, joints, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Common causes of musculoskeletal pain include bruising, bone fractures, overuse injuries, infections, ligament strains, muscle strains, and tendonitis.
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Neurological
Neurological leg pain is related to the body’s nerves. Common causes include restless legs syndrome, neuropathy (nerve damage), and sciatic nerve pain.
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Vascular
Conditions affecting the blood vessels can also lead to leg pain. The most common causes of vascular leg pain are peripheral artery disease (PAD), deep vein thrombosis (DVT), varicose veins, cellulitis, and infections.
In some cases, a problem in a different part of the body will cause leg pain. For example, sciatica is often triggered by pressure on the sciatic nerve in the lower back, but causes pain in the legs. This is called non-localised leg pain.
How Leg Pain Is Normally Diagnosed and Treated
When a patient presents with leg pain, a doctor has several ways to diagnose and treat the condition. The most common starting point is to ask questions of the patient. These questions usually include:
- What is the nature of the pain you are experiencing? (Is it throbbing, a dull ache, a sharp stabbing pain, only hurts when performing a certain task etc)
- When did the pain start?
- Did a particular event trigger the pain?
- How is your general health?
- Are you experiencing any other concerning symptoms?
A chiropractor will ask the same questions. Next, a physical examination is performed in an effort to locate the precise location of your pain. If the source of the pain is not easily apparent, further tests will be required, which may include a bone scan, CT scan, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasound scan and x-ray. The doctor will then recommend a treatment or refer you to a specialist.
How Can Chiropractors Treat Leg Pain?
Chiropractic care is useful for treating several types of musculoskeletal, neurological, and vascular leg pain. It can also be used to relieve swelling and increase mobility.
During your initial consultation with a chiropractor at our London chiropractic clinic, we will ask many of the same questions as a general practitioner. This information will help us understand if the issue pain is localised (exists in one area) or non-localised (your leg pain is caused by a condition in another part of the body).
The chiropractor will then perform a physical examination. This examination will look for any abnormalities in the musculoskeletal system that may be causing your leg pain. We may also recommend an x-ray or other tests to fully assess the condition of your musculoskeletal system.
Chiropractors use a holistic approach that can include physical therapy, dietary changes, and an exercise regime. This is in addition to a variety of safe and non-invasive treatments including joint adjustments and soft tissue massage. These treatments are extremely effective and are ideal for treating the ‘root cause’ of leg pain instead of just the symptoms.
Is Chiropractic Care Effective?
Chiropractic care has been proven to be effective for treating many types of leg pain. One recent study confirmed that chiropractic care provides pain relief much faster than exercise and medical advice alone for patients with sciatica.
If you are in pain, book an appointment at MotionBack Chiropractic by calling 0207 112 5408 or by booking online on our website here.