Aching Legs

As you know aching legs cause varying levels of discomfort and pain, and the tricky part for patients, doctors and alternative health practitioners is determining exactly where the pain originates and what kind of treatment should be pursued.

Before we go any further, a quick overview of human anatomy and possible causes is needed to help you gain clues as to why you have aching legs. A bevy of bones and muscles make up the human leg. The major bones in the leg are the femur (thigh bone), patella (knee cap), tibia (shin bone) and fibula (leg bone). The hip, thigh and leg muscles attach to these bones and initiate movements such as rotation, flexion, extension, abduction and adduction. In and around these bones and muscles are different arteries, veins and nerves that facilitate blood flow and sensation.

Now, with all these components acting together and doing their own respective functions --- and taking into account your lifestyle and level of physical activity --- the question isn't really if your legs would give you any hassles. More focus should be placed on how and why you're suffering with aching legs.

The most frequent causes are muscle aches (which are often exercise-related) and cramps, which often manifest in your thighs, calves, hamstrings and arch of the foot. Aching legs can also be the result of a hamstring injury. Other physical injuries that lead to aching legs include bone fractures in the legs or feet, as well as strains, tendonitis and shin splints. Conditions such as bursitis, osteomyelitis, arthritis and fibromyalgia can cause and exacerbate the ache and pain. And sometimes, aching legs can be brought on by sciatica and obesity.

There are also other triggers for aching legs that don't necessarily come with physical wear-and-tear or trauma. Some aching legs causes can be traced to your arteries, veins and nerves, including deep vein thrombosis (DVT), nerve damage, varicose veins, pinched nerves, blood clots and atherosclerosis.

Many folks apply either ice packs or place heat pads on the affected leg area. These measures are fine if you've had aching legs for only a short time, but if it has been occurring for a long time period or if self-treatment doesn't work, you need to seek professional medical help and undergo the necessary tests to find the specific cause.

It can't be said enough: remedial massage is an excellent and all-natural way of relieving pain, prompting a feeling of health and well-being, and can be very effective in relieving aching legs. The Crows Nest Complementary Health Centre is very lucky to have remedial massage therapists with the required knowledge and competence to deal with problems such as aching legs. They can be described as having the best of both worlds --- they possess extensive sporting backgrounds, and are well-trained in using remedial massage as a form of healing and relaxation.

Soothe your aching legs now! Make an appointment at the Crows Nest Complementary Health Centre, located at Suite 208, 3 Bruce St. corner Pacific Highway, Crows Nest, Sydney. You can also ring up 02 9964 9722 or shoot an e-mail to Reception.