Leg pain is one of the most common complaints that people have. There are so many possible causes of aching legs. This is often experienced by those who either use their legs or backs too much or by those who have desk jobs. For those who lift heavy objects, the center of gravity should be very much considered. This avoids strains and too much pressure on the back. It would also help if you wear back support girdles. Pain from the lower back is accompanied by weakness or numbness of the legs and even pain in the foot. For those who have desk jobs, there can be workouts that help you move and strengthen your lower back so as to avoid aching legs.

Pain in the lower extremities may also be caused by other factors as well. It may be caused by an old injury, too much stress, a pinched nerve, lack of blood supply, a side effect of a recent operation or an adverse effect of a medication that you are taking. Aching legs are happen at various times and at various degrees. Here are some of the types of pain descriptions that occur when the patient has aching legs:

1)      Pain that burns

This pain that occur in aching legs is describes as a sudden electric jolt, pain that shoots, pain that is like an electric flow, or pain that spreads out or radiates. The usual source of pain is the lower back, then the pain travels to the buttocks, then down to the legs and feet. It is like a painful stab that crawls downwards intermittently. It can range from dull to very unbearable pain. This is usually the case when a nerve in the lower spine is irritated, commonly seen in the elderly. The condition is called sciatica that is aggravated when the patient stoops or climbs the stairs for a long period of time. This may be confirmed is the patient undergoes a proper examination of the lower back.

 

2)      Numbness and tingling

One of the most common type of pain in aching legs is that certain numbness or tingling that is often similar to the one you experience when your foot or leg suddenly falls asleep. This is like having the nerves of your leg detach from the spinal nerve because it won’t feel anything. The source of such a type of pain is usually the lower back. This can be very disruptive of the person’s daily activities because the numbness or tingling is continuous. I certainly can be very alarming because you won’t be able to walk or even drive until the numbness subsides.

 

3)      Heaviness or weakness (known as “foot drop”)

This is one of the painful sensations when a person has aching legs. This is usually seen when a person has to drag the foot while going up or down the stairs. A foot drop is the result of a very heavy feeling or weakness in the foot area. There is still a good amount of sensation there but the leg or foot just could not sustain the movement, or the weight like it is supposed to. There is very high difficulty because there is no normal heel to toe movement.

 

4)      Pain that is constant

Aching legs also has this type of painful sensation. This usually comes from the area of the buttocks. The pain radiates to the legs when this occurs. Doctors see this kind of pain as something that comes from the nerves rather than pain that throbs or aches. Constant pain on one side of the buttocks is categorized as sciatica. Gently moving the lower part of your body, a bit of stretching, or walking could relieve this type of pain.

 

 

5)      Pain because of wrong positioning

Wrong positioning may also lead to aching legs. This is the type of leg pain that heightens when you sit, stand, or walk. Again, the lower back is the source of this pain. Spinal stenosis is the cause of this kind of pain. Deviating from your prolonged sitting, standing, or walking would give relief. You could twist your body or bend over.

 

 

People experience aching legs depending on the type or degree of activity and lifestyle that they have. If you experience any of the given types of pain, do not hesitate to see your doctor immediately. Through proper diagnostic exams, you will be able to know what the real cause of your aching legs is. With proper treatment, pain will be lessened or eradicated.