Lower back pain causes sever leg pain

My mom suffers of sever leg pain. It starts at her hips and follows down her legs one hurts more than the other. Sometimes it gets so bad she needs help putting on her shoes or clothes or getting in and out of a car.
(October 19, 2010)

Pain in legs is a symptom that is commonly experienced by many people. It can be due to a number of reasons such as an overstressed or torn muscle, inflamed tendon, muscle cramps, hairline fracture in the bone, shin splits, and muscle fatigue.  Some other causes of pain in legs could be bone infection, blood clots generally caused due to prolonged bed rest, nerve damage in the case of diabetics, smokers and alcoholics, and varicose veins. Depending on what the cause of the pain is, the symptoms of pain in the legs may vary. So while some may complain of a sharp pain in their legs, others may describe the pain as a dull ache. In some cases, the pain is constant and nagging, while in others, it may be sporadic. 

Here are a few remedies to alleviate pain in your legs:

• In case the pain is caused due to overuse or cramps make sure your feet get maximum rest.


Place your legs at an elevated position. Apply ice to the leg area for about 15 minutes, four times a day. Massage and stretch the cramping muscles and check with your doctor for some over-the-counter medication to relive pain.
• For pain in your legs caused by varicose veins leg compression with support hose or elastic bandages and leg elevation may help.
• If the problem is due to nerve disorders, eliminating tobacco and alcohol, controlling diabetes, and avoiding shoes that are ill-fitting will help.
• To prevent injuries caused due to overuse, always remember to warm-up before any kind of physical activity and cool down once you are done. Make sure to include leg stretching exercises in your routine as this will improve the circulation of blood and give you relief from pain in your legs caused by the contractions of the leg muscles.   
• Include calcium-rich foods in your diet as they are good for your bones and will help you get relief from leg pain. Foods that have high calcium content include milk and milk products, nuts, cheese, soybeans and green vegetables.
• Epsom salt when added to your bath water can prove extremely beneficial as it has high magnesium contents that can give you relief from pain in your feet. This works great for people who are suffering from arthritis.  
• Those suffering from a chronic leg pain problem should add ginger to their diet as it has certain pain killing properties that can give you respite.
• Sometimes lower back pain treatment can prove beneficial for any pain you may have in your legs. 
• Increase the amount of water you drink as it helps relieve any spasms in your muscles and also provides respite from the pain. Ensure that your body is well-hydrated prior to any physical exercise.
• A massage and steam bath at least once a week can be beneficial for leg pain.
• Walnuts eaten on an empty stomach can provide respite from leg pain. Eat about three to four walnuts daily and see the difference. 
• Yoga and regular exercise is suggested for people suffering from leg pain. 

Any kind of pain for a prolonged period of time needs to be investigated thoroughly by a medical practitioner. There are a number of underlying causes that cause pain in the legs and it is imperative that one detects any abnormality that may be causing it. More often than not, pain in the legs is usually caused by a condition in the lower back. When diagnosing pain in the legs and other parts of the body, there should be a thorough examination of the lower back and not just focus on the legs and hips. Pressure and compression on certain nerve roots such as the sciatic nerve can cause pain and numbness along with weakness in the entire foot, travelling from hip through the leg and into the feet. Most patients who experience leg pain can reveal a problem in the lower back. They are usually advised to seek prompt medical attention to determine a course of treatment. Other symptoms in addition to leg pain can also be a sign of a potentially dangerous condition and hence needs the attention of medical experts. Keep a look out for other symptoms such as gradual weakness in the legs that can be a sign of damaged nerves, dysfunction of the bowel or the bladder, unexplained fever or chills, etc. Some forms of degenerated disc disorders which are specific to the lower back, or hernia can also cause severe leg and foot pain.

Prolonged standing or sitting can cause buildup of fluid in the leg veins thus causing pain and ache in the legs. The buildup of fluid in the leg veins takes place when the valves in the legs are not functioning properly which may be due to phlebitis or inflammation of the veins. As a result of phlebitis, veins do not efficiently move the blood from the legs to the heart thus causing the bladder to leak and pool outside the veins. Varicose veins can also cause leg ache and pain. Another possibility can be a form of internal injury such as a torn or overstretched muscle, stress fracture, inflamed tendons or shin splints that result in severe leg pain. Among patients who are elderly, atherosclerosis is one of the major factors for leg ache. Other causes that need to be looked into include blood clots or deep vein thrombosis, arthritis or gout, and secondary nerve damage. It is advisable to seek a doctor's advice if the pain is unbearable and if the patient is not able to move even to perform simple tasks.