Managing Your Leg Dominant Pain With Physiotherapy
Leg dominant pain is discomfort, heaviness, or weakness in the leg when standing or walking that lessens when sitting or bending. Some cases of this condition can be managed with physiotherapy and activities like self-care exercises, scheduled rest and time. Here we discuss just what causes this pain and how a physiotherapist can help.
Causes of Leg Dominant Pain
Leg dominant pain results from spinal nerve compression in the lower spine. The compression or narrowing of the spinal canal is caused by wear and tear as well as arthritic changes in the lower spine. Such changes include:
- Ligaments thickening
- Bulging disks
- Bone spurs overgrowth at the spinal facet joints
Stenosis compresses the nerve roots that control movement and sensation in the lower back. This compression causes cramping, pain, or tingling. The pain is worse when walking and standing, since the spinal canal narrows during an upright posture, placing more pressure on the nerve roots. Such pain subsides temporarily when you sit down or flex forward, since the spinal canal expands naturally.
Leg dominant pain occurrences are much less frequent than axial back pain (conifned to the low back area) but most patients with back pain get episodic radiation in their legs. Although not all leg pain comes from the back, osteoarthritic hip pain can spread to the knee and can be mistaken for nerve root irritation. Patients with leg dominant pain experience pain in areas of maximum intensity below and around the interior gluteal fold, calf, foot, thigh, or ankle.
When To See a Professional
When you have leg dominant pain, some pain becomes worse when walking and standing and becomes better with sitting and bending. Physiotherapy is the most widespread treatment method used to treat leg dominant pain. Treatments include:
- Trunk muscle stability exercises
- Spinal flexion exercises
- Education and advice on how to manage the condition
We Can Help
Leg dominant pain can make your life difficult and walking and standing even more excruciating. You don't have to suffer in silence as this condition can be treated. At Grande Prairie Physiotherapy & Massage, we are here to help you get through this. Our team of professionals will work with you every step of the way. Contact us now for more information.










