Leg pain can range from a mild nuisance that comes and goes, to debilitating pain that makes it difficult to sleep, walk, or engage in simple everyday activities. The pain can take many different forms ‐ aching, searing, throbbing, or burning, and it can be accompanied by other symptoms, such as a pins‐and‐needles sensation, and/or leg or foot numbness or weakness.

Leg Pain Symptoms and Descriptions

Leg pain may be caused by a problem in the leg, but often starts with a problem in the lower back, where the sciatic nerve originates, and then travels along the path of the nerve (called sciatica). For this reason, diagnosis of anyone with leg/foot pain, and/or leg/ankle/foot weakness or numbness should include an exam of the lower back.

Not all leg pain derived from low back problems presents the same way. Leg pain caused by a low back problem is often accompanied by additional symptoms, such as leg numbness or weakness, or foot pain, and the type of pain may vary widely from patient to patient.

There are many terms used to describe spinal disc pathology and associated pain, such as "herniated disc," "pinched nerve," and "bulging disc," and all are used differently and, at times, interchangeably.

As we age, the spine changes, often leading to a degeneration of the vertebrae (bones), discs, muscles and ligaments (connective tissues) that together make up the spinal column. These changes may lead to spinal stenosis.

In an effort to document emerging standards of chiropractic care, the Council on Chiropractic Guidelines and Practice Parameters (CCGPP) recently polled a panel of leading chiropractors, who reached 80% consensus on some statements regarding chiropractic manipulation.

Even though there is usually some temporarily added muscle soreness (similar to the feeling of having completed an aggressive exercise session) after the manipulation, the patient should experience an immediate increase in range of motion post-anesthesia care.