Physical Therapy for Leg Pain
Soccer players, runners, basketball players, lacrosse players, and more athletes can all attest to the frustration and pain that comes with a leg injury. Leg pain—whether that’s in the calves, knees, quads, or something else—is extremely common for athletes. It can come in the form of a sharp pain that shoots down the back of your leg, or a dull, aching pain that never seems to let up. The good news is it’s most often treatable. Physical therapy is the first non-surgical method of treating leg pain. How can physical therapy reduce leg pain? How can physical therapy treat and diagnose leg pain? Find out now.
Causes of Leg Pain
The first stage of any physical therapy program is understanding the root of the pain. Most leg pain is the result of a sports injury, overuse, or damage to one of the many joints and ligaments in your legs. Leg pain can also be caused by blood clots, spinal problems, and much more. If you’re experiencing any signs of infection (redness, warmth, fever), please see a doctor immediately. It’s important for a licensed physical therapist to examine your leg to assess exactly where the pain originates, what motions you’re struggling to perform, and where you might be lacking strength. Attempting to address the pain yourself might result in some relief, but not ultimately solve the problem.
A very common cause of leg pain is sciatica. This typically affects not just the legs, but the hips and lower back as well. Sciatica is caused by pressure on the sciatic nerve, which runs down both legs. If your pain is accompanied by a numbness or tingling sensation in any of these areas, there’s a very good chance you’re suffering from sciatica. Patients experiencing sciatica commonly report pain while driving or working at a desk, since extensive sitting or bending can trigger it.
If the pain you’re experiencing is more of a dull, aching pain near where tendons attach to the bone, there’s a good chance you’re dealing with tendinitis. Tendinitis is extremely common in the ankles and knees, and is often accompanied by swelling. It’s usually brought on by wear and tear from repetitive motions, such as running or jumping.
In short, our legs are complex. The list of potential reasons for recurring leg pain is endless. It takes careful attention and expertise to diagnose exactly what part of the body needs to be addressed. Our Physical Therapist, Joe Miller, has seen it all. He’ll take into consideration your age, career, circumstances, symptoms, range of motion, and so much more before providing a diagnosis.
If you’re experiencing any signs of infection, such as redness, warmth, or a fever, please see a doctor immediately.
Treatment for Leg Pain
Your Physical Therapist will examine your leg’s functionality and combine those findings with your individual goals to create a tailored therapy program. They’ll put together a plan that focuses on reducing inflammation, relieving pain, and training your muscles properly. It’s extremely common for the root cause of leg pain to be improper form. If your pain or injury is related to your work, your Physical Therapist isn’t going to ask you to quit your job. He’s going to work on strengthening the muscles around your injury and training you to use them the right way.
Physical therapy is a safe, effective, non-surgical method for treating leg pain. Since physical therapy is based on a combination of stretches, exercises, and ingraining healthy postural habits, it’s effective for preventing further pain as well. The exact exercises and whether they will include other parts of the body depends on the cause of pain, as well as other patient circumstances.
We strongly encourage you to make an appointment so you can get some relief and peace of mind. In the meantime, stay off of your bad leg as much as possible. Be sure to elevate your leg whenever you’re sitting down. Take 15-20 minutes morning and evening to ice your injury. We do our best to book our patients’ appointments as soon as possible. But we hope to reduce your symptoms as much as we can with some home care in the meantime.
Physical therapy for leg pain will typically include:
- Applying ice to the affected area.
- Stretches designed to minimize future flare-ups.
- Active exercises designed for strengthening and stabilizing hips.
- Hands-on physical therapy and treatments such as Blood Flow Restriction Therapy.
- Carefully crafted home exercise program.
"Thanks to Joe Miller I got to go the Miami vs ND Football game. I had developed sciatica 10 days before my drive to ND and could not move. Joe did some muscle stimulation and insisted I did a few exercises a few times a day. He also gave me a lecture to make sure I stopped every 2 hours on my drive out & back to the big game to stretch. He was a miracle worker for me!!!"
- Annmarie D.
Why Visit a Physical Therapist for Leg Pain?
Your physical therapist is there to help you master your technique. With improper form, the same exercises that are designed to heal you could actually harm you. By using the wrong muscles, favoring one side of the body, or improperly balancing your weight, such exercises can have a completely different effect on your body. Your physical therapist is there to guide you every step of the way. An experienced physical therapist knows exactly what questions to ask and signs to look for, indicating you’re executing the exercise properly.
What can physical therapy do for leg pain?
- Soothe affected muscles and provide immediate relief
- Prevent recurring pain or flare-ups
- Reduce inflammation
Best Physical Therapy in Reading, PA
When you plan a visit to our office, you’ll be seen by our physical therapist, Joe Miller. Joe has spent over 30-years serving patients in the Reading and Berks area. He’ll listen to your symptoms and concerns, conduct a careful assessment, and put together a care plan to get you feeling your best. He’ll guide you through every step of your physical therapy plan. You won’t be caught off guard by any methods or treatment technique. We keep our patients informed and comfortable throughout their entire appointment. If you’re experiencing recurring or worsening pain in your leg, plan your visit and start feeling some relief.
