Pain in the legs: what can it be? See tips for relieving

There are some types of pain that are experienced by most people at some stage in life, such as headaches, stomach and legs.

The latter two, although not aged, tend to be more common or to accentuate as old age approaches.

Fortunately, they tend to be fleeting and can be treated.

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What causes tiredness and pain in the legs?

Leg pain can be caused by several complications such as: poor blood circulation in the lower limbs, nerve or muscle injuries, cardiovascular disease, sciatic nerve, muscular dystrophies, spinal problems, injuries after unprepared physical exercise, diabetes , gout and varicose veins.

To know exactly what is causing the discomfort in the legs, it is recommended to seek the help of an orthopedist or angiologist, who can assess the symptoms and prescribe the best form of treatment.

Some other factors can also cause or aggravate leg pain:

In the cold

Low temperatures tend to cause the muscles to stiffen. This is because the body is looking for ways to keep warm and preserve body heat.

These muscle contractions can occur in all parts of the body causing difficulty in circulation, swelling and pain.

To get around this situation, just practice exercises that move your lower limbs. And don’t forget to warm up and stretch properly.

In pregnancy

During pregnancy, the woman’s balance axis tends to change because of the weight and space the baby occupies.

This can end up causing pain in the legs, back, lower back and arms.

In the vast majority of cases, discomfort in the legs during pregnancy is caused because the pregnant woman tends to walk with her legs spread, which overloads the muscles.

Swelling (also common in pregnancy) is another factor that can cause discomfort in that part of the body.

In rest

During rest, it is common to increase pain and discomfort. This can happen for several reasons.

One is that, during the day, we spend more time standing. This means that, due to the vertical position, blood accumulates in the lower limbs or has difficulty returning to the heart.

When lying down, we raise the legs or leave it at the same level as the rest of the body, causing the blood to begin to circulate in the correct way again. This movement can cause a kind of momentary pain.

Another reason for pain during rest is cramps, that is, muscle contractions that are usually caused either by excessive exercise (the muscle works too much) or by the lack of it (the muscle is stopped and can atrophy).

In PMS and menstruation

Leg pain during premenstrual tension (PMS) and menstruation are related to hormones and cramps.

When the uterus contracts, it causes pressure that can spread to other parts of the body, including the legs.

In addition, hormones (such as estrogen) released during this time are also responsible for leg pain.

Most of them cause the blood vessels to dilate and usually generate a throbbing sensation in the pelvis, breasts and legs during menstruation.

Leg pain at night: what can it be?

Leg pain at night can be caused by factors such as cramps, muscle relaxation, lack or excess of physical activity, problems with blood circulation and growth (this type of pain is common in childhood and adolescence).

In addition, other complications, such as enlarged veins (varicose veins) or inflamed veins (phlebitis), can aggravate leg pain at night.

All of these situations mentioned above have treatment (medication or surgical) that can guarantee a better quality of sleep.

How to relieve pain in legs and feet?

Pains in the legs and feet bother thousands of people and can often be treated with the help of physiotherapy sessions, proper nutrition, physical activity and medication. Daily habits and lifestyle can also improve this situation.

Some tips tend to help with treatment:

  • Exercise your legs in moderation: stretching or activities that stimulate blood circulation in the lower limbs (such as walking) can help decrease pain;
  • Massage: use moisturizing creams or soaps to massage your legs, stimulating circulation;
  • Hot compresses : hot compresses can reduce swelling and pain because the warm temperature stimulates muscle relaxation;
  • Cold compresses: cold compresses favor the stiffening of muscles and reduce swelling;
  • Comfortable shoes: try to wear comfortable shoes, avoiding as much as possible the use of high heels, tight shoes or that demand a lot of leg muscles;
  • Take care of the food: reducing foods with salt, fats, sausages, sugars helps to avoid vascular problems that may be related to leg pains. Fruits, vegetables, fibers and lean meats help to strengthen the tissues and muscles of the leg, in addition to preventing varicose veins;
  • Change your position: throughout the day, it is important that you change your position frequently. For example, after sitting for 2 or 3 hours, the ideal is to get up and walk for a few minutes. Or the opposite, every 2 or 3 hours standing, the ideal is to stay a few minutes at rest.

Home remedy for leg pain

There are recipes for home remedies that range from apple cider vinegar, clay, avocado, ginger , nuts and rosemary or clove oils .

It is worth mentioning that these remedies do not have scientific proof, and may work for some and may not work for others.

To help treat this condition at home, massage, stretching, rest and fluid intake tips are the best options.


Leg pain can have several causes. Thus, going to an orthopedic professional is the best way to make the diagnosis and prescribe the best form of treatment and pain relief. The Healthy Minute brings other information about well-being and health . Check out our posts !!!

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