Leg pain can be treated by chiropractic therapies. It may originate from the musculoskeletal, neurological or vascular systems of the body, and these can all be affected by chiropractic care. The diagnostic evaluation of the leg pain is essential for developing a treatment plan that will address the root cause of the pain. This is why it’s important to keep a journal of symptoms as soon as you realize that you need help with your pain. This article covers the main points to notice, so keep reading to find out more about how chiropractic for leg pain can help you to recover.
Common Causes of Leg Pain
Since leg pain might originate by different causes, the first order of business is to determine the actual source of the pain. The sensation of pain itself can be different from one person to another, and these feelings communicate specific information about the nature of the injury. The chiropractor will use this information to determine whether the leg pain is originating in the vascular, neurological or musculoskeletal systems.
Here is an overview of the major types of pain in the legs:
- Musculoskeletal pain: Injuries to the muscles, bones or joints can cause pain in the legs (Work-Related Injuries, Sports Injuries, Etc.).
- Vascular pain: Blood must flow freely into the muscle tissues in order to keep them functioning properly; interruptions in this blood flowing through the veins can induce pain in your legs. One example of vascular pain in the legs is the condition of atherosclerosis.
- Neurological pain: Muscles contract because of their innervations by the nervous system; lesions in the neural pathways can produce pain. Examples include sciatica or piriformis syndrome.
Treatments for Leg Pain, Tulsa Chiropractic
Measuring the results of your treatment is essential. This helps patients to appreciate the value of the chiropractic care you receive. Treatment plans typically last for a period of time that spans a month or a little longer. However, in some cases, longer treatment plans might be indicated. This gives you an idea of what to expect from the process. Some patients feel relief as soon as the very first visit, but this doesn’t mean that the underlying cause is sufficiently addressed. This is why it’s helpful to understand why the chiropractor might ask you to return for follow-up care even after you experience relief from your symptoms.
Intake and Measuring Progress
During your first visit, you will go through an intake process. The diagnostic process requires you to answer specific questions about your pain, so it’s very helpful to come prepared. Keep a pain journal, and document the details of your symptoms. For example, mention the intensity of your pain on a scale of one to 10. Try to observe anything that triggers the pain and makes it worse. The pain will also have qualities: Examples include dull, sharp, stabbing, pins and needles, and other descriptive characteristics.
Mention anything that you do at home to relieve the pain. This might include things like cold packs, meditation and specific herbal teas, for example. This information can help your doctor to understand how your injury affects your daily life. Once you get a treatment plan, this information can be useful in helping the chiropractor to measure your progress in terms of the intensity and quality of the leg pain.
Tulsa Spine and Rehab
The chiropractor at Tulsa Spine and Rehab is a dedicated and compassionate professional. Our staff is committed to providing every patient with the highest quality of care. We offer a variety of treatments for all types of pain as well as other conditions and injuries like vertigo, sports-related injuries, and more , so contact our offices today to get started recovering.
