Common Reasons Of Leg Pain
Leg pain has a number of causes and sometimes they can be the indication of serious medical conditions which require medical attention. But in many cases, leg pains are a result of temporary strains and can be easily treated and home. What can cause leg pain? Well here are a few common causes:
- Muscle strain
- Exercise and sports injuries
- Fibromyalgia
- Tendonitis
- Vein problems
- Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)
- Atherosclerosis
- Spine problems
- Sciatica
How To Cure Leg Pain At Home?
Leg pain causes a lot of trouble but luckily they can be cured at home. Keep reading to know how to get rid of leg pain using home remedies.
1. Epsom Salt Soaks
What You Will Need
- 1 cup of Epsom salt
- A bucket or tub of hot water
What To Do
- Add a cup of Epsom salt to a bucket or tub of hot water.
- Give it a good whirl and soak your legs.
- Keep your legs in the water for 15 minutes.
How Often To Do
Do this every day for a week.
Why This Works
Epsom salt is naturally found, it is rich in magnesium which is essential for a certain biochemical response that helps in relieving pain. Epsom salt is one of the best leg pain treatment at home. Using Epsom soak can reduce pain and inflammation and has no side effects.
2. Ginger
What You Will Need
- 2 tsp. of ginger oil
- 1 tbsp. of pure coconut oil
What To Do
- Add 2 tsp. of ginger oil to one tbsp. of pure coconut oil.
- Mix well and massage on the affected area for 5 minutes.
Useful tip: Drinking ginger tea is another effective way to reduce leg pain.
How Often To Do
Do this 2 to 3 times a day for best results.
Why This Works
Ginger is a natural analgesic and has anti-inflammatory properties. It is an effective and natural way to reduce leg pain with no side effects.
3. Ice Pack
What You Will Need
- 5 – 6 ice cubes
- Ice bag, Ziploc bags or a thin towel
What To Do
- Take a few ice cubes and keep them inside an ice bag or a thin towel. (If you are using a Ziploc, you need to use two Ziploc bags)
- Apply this cold compress to the affected area for 10 minutes.
Useful tip: If you do not have ice, fill a Ziploc bag with corn syrup and refrigerate it. Frozen peas work too.
How Often To Do
Do this 2 to 3 times a day for best results.
Why This Works
Ice is another easy and effective remedy to treat leg pain at home. It reduces inflammation and pain and acts as an analgesic.
4. Apple Cider Vinegar (Acv)
What You Will Need
- 1 cup raw apple cider vinegar
- A bucket or a tub of warm water
What To Do
- Add a cup of raw and unfiltered apple cider vinegar to a bucket or tub of warm water.
- Give it a whirl and soak your legs in it.
- Keep your legs in the bucket for half an hour.
Useful tip: Drinking raw apple cider vinegar with honey can also help reduce leg pain.
How Often To Do
Do this daily for 5 days.
Why This Works
The alkalizing effects of apple cider vinegar can dissolve uric acid in the blood. It also has anti-inflammatory properties which can be helpful in reducing leg pain.
5. Castor Oil
What You Will Need
- Castor oil
- Hot water bottle
What To Do
- Apply castor oil generously and massage to the affected area for 7 – 8 minutes.
- Keep the hot water bottle on the massaged area for about 5 minutes.
How Often To Do
Do this twice a day for a week.
Why This Works
Castor oil contains ricinoleic acid which has anti-inflammatory properties. This can reduce muscle and joint pain.
6. Eucalyptus (Nilgiri) Oil
What you need
- Eucalyptus oil
- Hot water bottle
What to do
- Apply eucalyptus oil (Nilgiri oil) to the affected area.
- Gently massage the oil until it is absorbed into the skin or until you find relief.
- Keep a hot water bottle on the area for a few minutes for further relief.
Note: Some people are sensitive to eucalyptus oil and hence a patch test is always recommended before use. You can also dilute the oil with other carrier oils such as olive or almond oil.
Why this works
Eucalyptus oil or Nilgiri oil is a very good remedy to treat leg pain. It has anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic and analgesic properties. It can reduce muscle cramps and pain and also reduces tension and stress on the nerves and calms them.
7. Oil Baths
What You Will Need
- 12 – 15 drops of lavender essential oil
What To Do
- Add 12 – 15 drops of lavender essential oil to a bathtub filled with warm water.
- Soak yourself for approximately 20 minutes.
- You can also add 5 drops of lavender essential oil to a bucket and soak your legs.
Useful tip: You can also mix the lavender essential oil with a carrier oil and rub it on the affected area.
How Often To Do
Do this once a day for a week.
Why This Works
Lavender oil is known to improve blood circulation in the body. It is a natural analgesic and has anti-inflammatory properties. It can reduce muscular tension, swelling and pain.
8. Cinnamon And Honey Paste
What You Will Need
- 2 tsp. of cinnamon powder
- Few drops of honey or as required
- 2 drops of cinnamon oil
What To Do
- Add a few drops of honey and 2 drops of cinnamon oil to 2 tsp. of cinnamon powder and form a paste.
- Apply this paste on the affected area and massage it for 2 minutes.
Note: Cinnamon is a common allergen. Always do a patch test before applying.
How Often To Do
Apply this mixture every day for a week.
Why This Works
Cinnamon is known to have analgesic, antispasmodic and astringent properties. It is very effective to treat general pain and arthritis. Honey is also a natural analgesic. This combination can be very effective to decrease leg pain.
9. Turmeric And Black Pepper Paste
What You Will Need
- 2 tsp. turmeric powder
- 2 drops black pepper oil
- 2 drops turmeric oil
- 1 tbsp. warm castor oil
What To Do
- Take 1 tbsp. of warm castor oil in a mixing bowl.
- Add 2 tsp. of turmeric and 2 drops of turmeric oil.
- Give it a good mix and add 2 drops of black pepper oil.
- Mix them well and apply to the affected area and massage for 3 – 5 minutes.
How Often To Do
Apply this mixture every day for a week.
Why This Works
Turmeric is a wonderful spice with many benefits. Curcumin is the main component in turmeric and responsible for most of its health benefits. It is a natural analgesic and has an anti-nociceptive effect. Turmeric also has anti-inflammatory properties which help reduce swelling. Pectin present in black pepper helps the body absorb curcumin. Also, black pepper oil has antispasmodic properties and can reduce pain. Black pepper extracts are also used as the main ingredient in some of the popular painkillers.
10. Chamomile Oil
What You Will Need
- 3 – 4 drops of chamomile oil
- 2 tsp. of warm olive oil
What To Do
- Add 3 to 4 drops of chamomile essential oil to 2 tsp. of warm olive oil.
- Mix well and massage on the affected area for 5 minutes.
How Often To Do
Do this daily for best results.
Why This Works
Chamomile oil is a natural analgesic. It also has a calming effect which can relax the muscles and nerves in the leg. It also has anti-inflammatory properties which reduces inflammation and swelling in the leg and reduces leg pain.
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