Do you suffer from leg pain? If you’ve had an obvious injury from a sport or accident, the immediate source of pain may be easy to name. If you’ve stressed your body through repetitive motion or pinched a nerve by falling asleep in an awkward position, the source of your immediate pain may be harder to pinpoint. However, when leg pain develops slowly over time without the occurrence of an obvious source, things become perplexing. In this article, we’ll go over some of the most common issues that lead to leg pain and describe how Upper Cervical Chiropractic can help.
Common Causes of Leg Pain
Our legs are literally the structure on which we stand. They support the weight of our body, move us from place to place, and allow us to walk, jump, and run. Since they are one of the most used parts of the body, there are a number of possible sources of leg pain. The most common include:
Accidents or injuries
From sprains, breaks, and falls to overuse, sports injuries, as some of the most mobile and widely used parts of the body, injuries to the legs are common.
Arthritis
Arthritis is the inflammation and gradual degeneration of the protective cartilage in your joints.
Bursitis
The bursa is located between a tendon and skin or between a tendon and bone. It protects the joint and helps to create fluid movements. Bursitis is an inflammation of a fluid-filled sac or bursa.
Pinched nerves
A pinched nerve occurs when cartilage, tendons, or muscles apply too much weight to a nerve. This pinching can cause numbness, tingling, or burning and may prevent the nerve from working properly. Pinched nerves can be caused by injury, illness, poor sleeping positions, or even bad posture.
Sciatica
Sciatica is a condition characterized by compression, pinching, inflammation, or irritation of the sciatic nerves, which extend from the lower back down through the legs, resulting in leg pain. This condition is so common that it is estimated that 40% of people will experience sciatic pain at some point in their lives.
Structural anomalies
Structural anomalies of both the spin and the leg bones can result in chronic leg pain.
Tendinitis
Tendonitis occurs when tendons become compressed on a rigid bone. Inflammation or damage to the compressed tendons can cause pain. Repetitive motions in our daily activities can cause tendonitis.
However, at the root of it all, misalignments of the vertebrae in the Upper Cervical spine, called subluxations, are responsible for a large percentage of chronic leg pain issues.
How The Upper Cervical Spine Affects Leg Pain
When we discuss the upper cervical spine, we refer to the uppermost bones of your spinal column, consisting of the atlas (C1) and the axis (C2). This is where your spine connects with your skull. If your Upper Cervical spine is misaligned, it throws the head and neck off-balance, putting pressure on the nerves that travel down your back. This misalignment causes your body to compensate by raising one shoulder and hip. In turn, this structural imbalance irritates the nerves in your lumbar spine, including the sciatic nerve. Treating the subluxation and ensuring the Upper Cervical spine is properly seated allows nerve signals to travel the length of your spine unimpeded, resulting in pain reduction and or elimination.
Upper Cervical Chiropractic Treatment for Leg Pain
Every body and every cause of leg pain is different. Due to the complexity of the joints and the vast number of possible causes of leg pain, it is important to get a professional evaluation to determine the root cause of your discomfort. Using a combination of a thorough review of your medical history, a physical examination, and advanced imaging techniques, Dr. Tim, your Durango Upper Cervical Chiropractor, can get a comprehensive, holistic picture that will lead to the root cause of your pain.
Once the root cause of your leg pain is determined, a personalized treatment plan will be created for you. Then, using non-invasive and carefully applied adjustments, Dr. Tim will assist your body in gently re-positioning the vertebrae. Upper Cervical adjustments can restore your body's natural communication pathways and provide both instant and long-term, drug-free relief.
The Benefits of Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care for Leg Pain
One of the main benefits of Upper Cervical chiropractic care is that it is a safe and non-invasive treatment option for chronic pain issues. Unlike conventional medical treatments, Upper Cervical chiropractic care doesn’t involve the use of drugs or invasive surgery, both of which can have adverse effects on the body. Moreover, rather than masking symptoms, Upper Cervical chiropractic focuses on finding and addressing the root cause of the problem. This approach ensures long-term relief and enhances the body's natural healing ability.
Upper Cervical chiropractic care is a safe and effective all-natural alternative for leg and other forms of chronic pain. If you are struggling with leg pain, sciatica pain, migraine, or other debilitating chronic conditions, stop by our Durango office at 1800 E 3rd Ave #108, give us a call at 970 – 259 – 6803, or, better yet, click the link below at any time to schedule a free consultation. You could be a gentle correction away from a happier, healthier, pain-free life!
Notice of Disclaimer
We are doctors of upper cervical chiropractic, but we are NOT necessarily YOUR doctors. All content and information on this website are for informational and educational purposes only and do not constitute medical advice, and reading or interacting with this site does not establish any form of the patient-doctor relationship. Although we strive to provide accurate information, the information presented here is not intended to substitute for any kind of professional advice, and you should not rely solely on this information. Always consult a professional in your particular area of need before making medical decisions.