Pain Relief, Injury Prevention & Functional Performance

SAFETY NOTE: Any pain from an unknown cause that spreads from the low back to the legs should be investigated as soon as possible. To book a confidential appointment please 02 808 94 24 or email us at info@playground.brusselschiropractic.be.

Leg Pain

Leg Pain is quite a broad term. Some times the pain manifests as a direct ache or tenderness in the muscles, tendons or joints. Sometimes the pain arises from other organs of the body.

Often the nerves originating in the low back can get compressed or irritated resulting in what is know as Sciatica or Radicular Pain.

Not everything can be cured by Chiropractic. Patients whose symptoms arise from serious problems such as blood circulation disorders will be referred to the appropriate specialist. Patients requiring spinal surgery are referred to our trusted, experienced surgical colleagues.

Sciatica

The Sciatic Nerve arises in the lower back and runs down the back of each leg. If this nerve gets compressed or inflamed a patient may feel mild tingling, dull ache, or a burning sensation in the leg. Sometimes, but not always, this is accompanied by pain in the low back itself.

Causes of such an irritation can include:

• disc bulge or disc hernia
• compression due to tight muscles
• scar tissue from old injuries
• osteo-arthritis

It is important to establish an accurate diagnosis in order to formulate the best treatment plan for a particular patient.

Conditions Similar to Sciatica

Some other conditions give similar pain patterns as referred pain from the nerves.

Sacro-Iliac Joint Dysfunction

This is possibly the most common cause of pain that spreads from the low back to the leg. Fortunately it can be treated effectively with Chiropractic care.

Trigger-Points from muscles in the buttocks

Trigger Points are tight areas of muscles that are painful and, when provoked, cause referred pain to be felt in other parts of the body. Common muscles to be affected are in the buttocks and at the front of the hip.

It is common that Trigger Points occur at the same time as the other problems mentioned here.

Other Conditions

Direct injury to the leg is of course another common problem.

Causes can include:

• Traumatic injury from sports or accidents
• Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) due to work or sports
• Strain arising from problems in low back, knees or feet etc.

In each scenario, the first step is to establish an accurate diagnosis and agree on a treatment plan that is suitable for a particular patient.