Leg pain is something that can be a real blight on our health and happiness. Whether this is a minor nagging complaint or a serious amount of discomfort, it will make it harder for us to move around and stay active and will in turn cause us to gain weight and lose muscle. You’re someone who considers themselves very active, then being unable to run or engage in sports might be a real concern for you.
Then there’s the fact that leg pain can make it hard to get comfortable. If you’re constantly shifting in your seat, constantly dealing with low level pain and generally living with any kind of pain then it can end up taking some of the color and enjoyment out of your life.
The problem though is that leg pain is such a broad topic that there could be any number of potential causes. Honing in on just one thing that is wrong may be near impossible and this can make it very hard to know what to do for best in order to address the problem.
In this comprehensive post, we’re going to take a look at 21 possible causes of leg pain and hopefully one of these might ring true for you.
1. Muscle Cramp
One of the most common causes of leg pain is muscle cramp and this is particularly common in the calf or lower leg. Cramps occur when the body is low on key electrolytes such as potassium or sodium and this can then cause the muscle to go into spasm and contract painfully. It’s also particularly common at night.
Forget the home remedies like corks in your bed! The best way to treat muscle cramp is to get yourself more electrolytes in your diet. Specifically, this might mean consuming more potassium and sodium from bananas and potatoes, or maybe drinking an isotonic sports drink. Hydration is also very important.