Leg Pain Complexities

Leg pain can be a baffling condition to treat. This is because the nerves that run down the legs are connected in a complex manner to the spinal cord. Any problems with the lower part of the spinal cord are likely to cause at least some amount of pain in the upper half of the legs especially at the back of the thighs. Nerve compression can result from a large number of conditions relating to the spine. It is important for a proper diagnosis to accurately determine the cause of the pain before proceeding to treatment.

This article will help a lay person to perform a preliminary check that should be verified by a qualified chiropractic doctor.

Spinal Stenosis

Spinal stenosis is caused when the spinal canal is smaller than normal. This can be due to a variety of conditions and almost always causes leg pain. The quality of pain is quite unique in that it is radicular in nature. This means that it can range from numbness to a feeling of extreme pain on the outside of the calf. Spinal stenosis can be checked by what is known as the “Bicycle test” where the patient is made to exercise on a stationary bicycle. If there is a feeling of not enough blood flowing to the legs and the symptoms are relieved when the patient leans forward, it is a strong sign of spinal stenosis.

Degenerative Disc Disease

The discs that sit between the vertebrae perform an important function in keeping the spine flexible and cushioning the bones. Over a period of time however, they lose their flexibility and their suppleness thereby ceasing to perform their function adequately. In certain individuals, this happens sooner than in others and they suffer from a degenerative disc disease. This causes a lot of pressure to come onto the spinal nerves and can cause excruciating pain. Buttock and leg pain is a classic symptom of this disease.

Treatment

There are many other reasons for nerve related leg pain. Traditional treatments focus on painkillers and surgery. However, the non invasive and drug free treatment known as spinal decompression is fast gaining acceptance as the primary way to treat such conditions with a success rate of 86%. An experienced chiropractor can, with a few sessions of decompression greatly alleviate your nerve related leg pain and get you back on your feet – literally.