Leg Pain
From nagging aches to sharp twinges, leg pain can turn everyday movements into big challenges. If leg pain is slowing you down, it’s time to get you moving again. That’s where Physit steps in, with at-home physiotherapy that addresses the root cause of your pain and effectively addresses it, giving you back that pep in your step.
What Is Leg Pain?
Leg pain isn’t just “part of getting older.” It’s a signal from your body that something is out of sync and needs attention. This kind of pain can come from several sources. It might involve your muscles, joints, nerves, or even your circulation. Sometimes the discomfort is sharp or shooting, while other times it might feel dull, heavy, crampy, or just generally sore.
You might feel it in one leg or both. It can show up in the thigh, calf, knee, or ankle, or even travel down from your back. Whether it’s bothering you when you walk, lie down, or simply stand still for too long, leg pain is common, and in many cases, it’s highly treatable.
With physiotherapy focused on proper movement, muscle support, and mobility, most people see real improvement, not just in their pain levels, but in their comfort, confidence, and independence.
Common Symptoms of Leg Pain
Leg pain can show up in different ways for different people, and it’s not always just about sore muscles. You might feel it in one specific spot or throughout the entire leg. Here are a few of the most common symptoms people often experience:
- Cramping, heaviness, or burning sensation. Your legs might feel tired, tight, or as if they’re dragging, especially after being on your feet for a while.
- Numbness or tingling in the leg or foot. A pins-and-needles feeling may suggest some nerve involvement, which can often be eased with a thorough assessment & treatment of the back and lumbar spine.
- Swelling, especially after sitting or standing. Fluid buildup or circulation issues can make your legs feel puffy or tight and uncomfortable.
- Difficulty walking or standing for long periods. Whether it’s pain, weakness, or stiffness, leg trouble can make everyday movement feel like a challenge.
Even the mildest leg symptoms can start interfering with your comfort levels and your independence as you move throughout your day. The good news? With a personalised physiotherapy plan, relief is within reach, and you don’t even need to leave home to get started.
What Can Increase the Risk of Leg Pain?
Leg pain doesn’t always come from one single cause. Sometimes it builds up slowly, based on how we move, sit, or age. Understanding what might be contributing to your symptoms can be a helpful first step toward getting the relief you need to feel better.
- Long periods of sitting or standing: Staying in one position too long, whether you’re on your feet or in a chair, can put strain on your muscles and slow your circulation, leading to discomfort or swelling.
- Poor circulation or varicose veins: If your blood isn’t flowing as well as it should, your legs can start to feel heavy, achy, or restless, especially toward the end of the day.
- Muscle imbalances or weakness: When certain muscles do more work than others, or aren’t strong enough to properly support you, it can lead to pain and fatigue in the legs.
- Nerve irritation from the lower back (like sciatica): Sometimes leg symptoms actually start in the spine. If a nerve in the lower back is compressed or irritated, it can cause shooting pain, tingling, or weakness down the leg.
- Previous injuries or surgeries: A history of falls, joint problems, or leg surgeries can affect how you move, and those changes can lead to strain or overcompensation in other areas.
- Age-related changes in muscles or blood flow: It’s natural for tissues to become less elastic and for circulation to shift with age, which can play a role in ongoing discomfort in your legs.
What Causes Leg Pain?
Leg pain can show up in different ways, like a sharp jolt, a dull ache, or a feeling of weakness or heaviness. Most causes are linked to how the muscles, nerves, joints, and blood vessels are working (or not working as well as they used to).
Here are some of the most common culprits:
- Muscle strain or overuse from walking or lifting: When muscles are pushed beyond their usual workload, whether from a big gardening day or a sudden change in routine, they can become tight, sore, or inflamed. This type of pain tends to go away with rest but may return without the right support.
- Nerve compression (such as sciatica or spinal stenosis): If the nerves in your lower back or pelvis are pinched or irritated, they can cause pain, tingling, or weakness that travels down the leg. This type of discomfort can feel sharp, electric, or even like a deep ache.
- Circulatory issues (e.g., venous insufficiency): When your blood doesn’t flow as easily through the legs (often because of valve problems in the veins), it can lead to aching, heaviness, swelling, or even cramping after sitting or standing.
- Joint-related problems (e.g. arthritis in the hips or knees): If the joints in your hips, knees, or ankles are stiff or inflamed, it can change how you move, putting a great deal of extra strain on nearby muscles and causing pain further down the leg.
- Poor biomechanics or alignment affecting how you move: The way your body carries your weight and moves from step to step matters. Imbalances in your posture, gait, or foot alignment can affect how the leg muscles and joints function, often leading to pain as time goes on.
How Physit Treats Leg Pain
When your legs hurt, even the simplest tasks, walking to the door, standing to make a cup of tea, or getting comfortable in bed, can feel like a challenge. At Physit, we believe you shouldn’t have to push through the pain or travel to get the support you need. That’s why our expert physiotherapists come to you, providing hands-on, personalised care that fits into your day and your home.
We take the time to understand how the pain is affecting you, what movements feel hard, and what you’d like to get back to doing. From there, we build a plan that creates long-term results, not just short-term relief.
Here’s a look at how we may help ease your leg pain.
- Gentle manual therapy to reduce tightness and improve circulation: Your therapist may use hands-on techniques to ease your muscle tension, release pressure, and encourage healthy blood flow through the legs, which is especially helpful if your pain is related to stiffness, swelling, or nerve irritation.
- Strengthening and flexibility exercises: Building strength in the right areas, like your hips, thighs, and calves, helps take pressure off sore spots and gives your legs the extra support they need to move more freely.
- Gait and posture training to reduce pressure on joints: Sometimes, small tweaks to how you stand, step, or shift your weight can make a big difference. We help retrain movement patterns that may be causing or worsening your symptoms.
- Education on pacing, movement strategies, and footwear: Learning how to move smartly (like when to rest, how to step safely, and what kind of shoes to wear) can prevent flare-ups and keep your recovery on track.
- Personalised care plans with regular check-ins: No two people move exactly the same, and your care shouldn’t be one-size-fits-all. Your Physit plan grows with you, with ongoing guidance and adjustments that match your goals, your progress, and your unique lifestyle.
At Physit, we know that every step counts, especially when your legs are sore or slowing you down. That’s why we bring expert care straight to your home, making it easier for you to feel stronger, steadier, and more comfortable while you move through your day. We’re here for you every step of the way, with personalised support, practical advice, and friendly guidance that fits your pace and your goals.
Conditions We Treat
Our London home and work visit physiotherapists are highly experienced in assessing and treating a wide range of conditions, including but not limited to:
0204 570 2391- Post-surgical rehabilitation (knee, hip, shoulder, and spinal surgeries, as well as general surgical recovery)
- Age-related mobility issues, including falls prevention and balance training
- Chronic pain management (back pain, arthritis, and joint stiffness)
- Neurological conditions impacting mobility and coordination
- Post-hospital deconditioning and general rehabilitation to restore strength, balance, and independence
- All musculoskeletal realted injuries or pain
Frequently Asked Questions About Leg Pain
1. Can leg pain come from my back or hips?
Yes. Nerve irritation or joint issues in your lower back or hips can sometimes cause pain to travel down the leg. This is known as referred pain, and it’s something our physios are trained to spot and treat safely from the comfort of your home.
2. Do I need imaging before starting physiotherapy?
Not usually. If your symptoms suggest something that needs a scan or X-ray, we’ll always guide you in the right direction. But in most cases, we can begin with a thorough assessment and get started on a treatment plan that focuses on easing your discomfort and improving your movement straight away.
3. Can physio help if I’ve had pain for years?
Yes. Even long-standing leg pain can improve with the right support. We work with you gently and gradually to improve your strength, mobility, and confidence in your movement. It’s never too late to start feeling better.
4. Do I need a referral to work with Physit?
No referral needed. You can contact us directly, and we’ll arrange an at-home assessment that works with your schedule. We’ll take it from there, step by step!
Leg Pain Relief Is Just a Home Visit Away
Leg pain doesn’t have to slow you down. Whether it feels sharp, heavy, or just plain nagging, Physit brings expert care right to your doorstep. With gentle, personalised treatment, we’ll help ease away your discomfort, build up your strength, and get you back on your feet.