Natural Remedies for Sore Legs

Sore legs can be so distracting! It’s hard to sleep when your legs are aching, and it’s also hard to sit or stand comfortably. These are some natural remedies for sore legs that can hopefully give you some relief.

Sore Leg Causes

Leg pain can have many different causes, and pinpointing what caused

your sore legs can often help you choose the best remedy. There are also some sore leg causes that warrant a trip to your doctor. Here are some possible causes of leg pain, according to The Mayo Clinic:

• wear and tear
• overuse
• injuries in your joints or bones or in muscles, ligaments, tendons or other soft tissues
• lower back problems
• blood clots*
• varicose veins
• poor circulation

Their website (Mayo Clinic) also has a pretty comprehensive list of specific conditions that have sore legs as a symptom.

*If you suspect that your sore leg pain is caused by a blood clot, do not try to treat with natural remedies. See your doctor.*

This may be a 911 situation. If your leg, ankles or feet are swelling up, if you feel a warm sensation in your legs, or your skin is discolored, call your doctor right away for advice.

Natural Remedies for Sore Legs

If your legs are sore from overuse or you have lower back issues,  these natural remedies for sore legs can help! Some of these remedies will give you immediate relief, and others are more long-term remedies.

1. Stretching

Some gentle stretches or yoga can help relieve your leg pain temporarily,

if the problem is muscle soreness. Stretching helps with sore muscles, but it will not help if you have an injury. If stretching causes you pain, back off or stop. Here are some resources for stretching:

• Simple Exercises for Lower Back Pain – Since your leg pain can stem from lower back issues, stretching and strengthening your back can help give your legs relief.
• Yoga Poses to Improve Circulation – If you suspect that poor circulation is
  

  Yoga Forward Pose is good for stretching

  causing your leg pain, these poses can help you feel a bit better.

• Yoga for Runners – These running stretches are great for soothing your leg pain, too!

2. RICE

RICE stands for Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation. If your leg pain is from an injury, RICE should be your game plan:

• REST: Take a break from physical activity that could exacerbate your leg pain.
• ICE: Use an ice pack (or a bag of frozen veggies wrapped in a kitchen towel), and apply for 10-20 minutes, depending on where your injury is. In general, when you start to feel a little bit of numbness, it’s time to take the ice away. Give yourself an hour between ice applications.
• COMPRESSION: Wrap the injured area tightly, but not so tightly that you start to lose feeling. This helps keep swelling down. Most drug stores sell braces for specific body parts. You can also find elastic wraps that you can use.
• ELEVATION: This is another technique to help reduce swelling. Elevate your legs on a pillow or stack of pillows. The idea is to get it higher than your heart.

3. Compression Socks

If you have a sprain or strain, the braces I mentioned in the RICE section

are a huge help to you. For muscle soreness, though, compression socks can be a big help. They give you extra support and reduce your swelling, which in turn reduces leg pain. You can find compression socks at athletic stores, department stores or online.

4. Self Massage (or Professional Massage)

A quick self massage can help you with muscle soreness. Grab a bottle of

lotion, and gently massage your sore muscles for some quick pain relief. Sometimes, soreness can be caused by tension in the surrounding area, too. For example, if your calves are sore, massage your feet and upper legs, as well.

If you have the cash, a professional massage can also help with your leg pain. A good massage therapist will ask you about injuries and problem areas. Be clear about what’s going on with your legs, so they can tailor your treatment.

5. Eating Anti-Inflammatory Foods

This is definitely a long game, but it can help you reduce leg pain by

reducing overall inflammation. Foods like watermelon and berries help reduce your inflammation. Try adding these anti-inflammatory foods to your diet. It’s also a good idea to cut back on foods that cause inflammation.

6. The Right Shoes

High heels, flip flops and other shoes that lack any type of support for you

are common culprits when it comes to your leg pain. Choose supportive shoes with little or no heel and some arch support. If your favorite pair of flats doesn’t have good arch support, hit the drugstore! You can find all kinds of inserts, so you can give your favorite shoes the support that your legs and feet need. Your legs will thank you!

You also may be wearing the wrong size shoe. You can tell that your shoes are too big if there’s more than a half inch between your big toe and the front of your shoe. If your toes touch the front of your shoes when you put weight on your foot, your shoes are too small. Inserts, like the ones I mentioned above, take up extra space, so shoes that are the perfect fit might become too snug once you add those inserts.

Every body is different, so the remedy that works for one person may not work for another. What works will also depend on what’s causing your sore legs. If your leg pain lasts for more than a week or two or suddenly becomes more severe, it’s time to call your doctor for some support.

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Another great read! If you’re a walker, runner or do other types of exercise, you’ll get something from this information. I hope you enjoyed the read as much as I did!

Have a great healthy day!