While leg pains may have causes that range from Achilles tendonitis to varicose veins, home remedies can ease the symptoms of many of them. In fact, patients can replicate some of the techniques prescribed by sports medicine professionals for pain relief and quick recovery.
Common leg problems include muscle strains, osteoarthritis and pain that is caused by bone irregularities. Symptoms of these conditions are likely to improve with diligent home treatment. Patients with vascular diseases should consult their doctors before performing cold therapy remedies.
Rest
Rest represents the most inexpensive and simple pain-relief treatment. Doctors also recommend it first in the event of any acute muscle injury. The National Institutes of Health, or NIH, advises resting after pain symptoms arise. Rest allows the injured area to begin self-repair. Because putting weight on the leg creates more muscle strain, patients may need bed or chair rest for 48 hours after leg pains begin.
Activity Restriction
A brief rest period will start the healing process but will leave muscles weak. To avoid relapses and increased pain, daily activity should be reduced and the leg protected when moving about, the NIH recommends.
Crutches or a cane will make walking easier while reducing muscle strain. Patients should continue to take short breaks during the day to rest and elevate the affected leg when pain flares.
Cold Packs
Cold pack home remedies suppress both inflammation and leg pains, providing effective and immediate pain relief following an acute injury. Cold treatments can safely coincide with drug regimens and exercise programs.
According to the NIH, patients may safely apply cold packs up to eight times daily for 20 minutes at a time, as long as they are needed. Keeping reusable gel packs refrigerated rather than frozen lets patients place them directly on the leg pain site.
Hot Packs
Individuals with osteoarthritis may prefer hot compresses instead of cold for pain relief. The Mayo Clinic also suggests hot packs for muscle strain patients when resuming activity as they recover. Some reusable gel packs can be microwaved to produce 20 minutes of moist heat, which may have superior effects to the dry heat generated by electric heating pads.
Stretching
The New York University Langone Medical Center encourages the use of hot compresses on the muscles prior to stretching as a means of increasing their flexibility. When leg pain and inflammation dwindle, patients should being stretching the affected area several times a day to restore the muscles' range of motion.
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