Suffering from aching leg pain and stiffness? It could be the result of poor circulation in your lower body. Read on to discover just how circulation is connected to pain, and most importantly a few solutions to help you minimize any leg pain you may experience from poor circulation.
Can Poor Circulation Cause Leg Pain?
Poor circulation can certainly cause pain in the lower body, particularly aching in the feet which can radiate up into the calf muscles and knees.
A healthy circulation system transports blood, oxygen and nutrients throughout the entire body, providing organs with the fuel they need to function properly. Good circulation is especially important for muscle function in the legs — so you can do all the things you love to do and live the life you want to live.
However if you are experiencing poor circulation, your blood is not able to circulate fully, and in turn oxygen and nutrients are unable to reach muscle tissue in the leg effectively. This can lead to stiffness, cramping and pain in the lower body.
What Does Leg Pain from Poor Circulation Feel Like?
If you’re experiencing any of the following painful symptoms, you may be experiencing poor circulation in the legs:
- Constant foot pain
- Muscle cramping (especially when walking)
- Pain and throbbing in the calf muscles (especially after sitting)
- Wounds that don't seem to heal in the legs, feet, and toes
- Numbness or tingling in the feet
- Aching in the feet after warming up
What Are the Symptoms of Poor Circulation in the Legs?
In addition to pain, other symptoms of poor circulation in the legs include:
1. Cold Sensation
If your feet are often colder than the rest of your body, it’s possible that blood is not adequately circulating to this area. That’s because it’s more difficult for blood to pump its way into the feet due to its distance from the heart.
2. Swelling
In some cases, a lack of circulation causes a buildup of fluids in the body that may lead to swelling felt in the legs, ankles or feet. If you have unexplained pain and swelling, this could be why.
3. Varicose Veins and Ulcers
When blood cannot circulate properly, it may begin to pool in large volumes. Varicose veins look like knots under the skin and make it more difficult for blood to return to the heart. When blood collects, it impedes the body’s ability to heal; this can lead to ulcers in the legs and feet.
4. Blue Skin
The feet may appear blue in severe cases of neuropathy. This skin discoloration occurs when the arterial blood cannot reach the feet tissue.
5. Difficulty Concentrating
In some extreme cases, if blood is unable to make its way to the brain, you could experience cognitive dysfunction or difficulty. A loss of memory or difficulty concentrating could be the result of poor circulation. Abnormal changes in blood pressure are key indicators of circulatory problems.
What Causes Poor Circulation and Pain in the Legs?
Some of the most common risk factors for poor circulation in the legs include smoking, age, obesity, and most notably – sitting for long periods of time.
There are also a variety of underlying conditions that can be related to poor circulation. These conditions include:
- Atherosclerosis or Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD): This condition develops as a result of plaque buildup in the blood vessels or arteries. As these pathways narrow, it becomes more difficult to circulate blood.
- Diabetes: Individuals with diabetes are susceptible to damaged blood vessels due to high blood glucose levels, leading to poor circulation.
- Anemia: Iron deficiency can often lead to anemia, a lack of red blood cells in the body.
- Raynaud’s Disease: Narrowed blood vessels due to Raynaud’s Disease can lead to chronically cold feet.
- Blood clots: These are clumps of blood that do not dissolve on their own, causing pain and swelling.
Remember: If you think poor circulation is causing you pain or discomfort, remember to always consult your doctor for a complete diagnosis.
What Helps Leg Pain from Poor Circulation?
1. Get Moving Regularly
For those dealing with poor circulation in the legs, exercise is especially important as it contributes to your cardiovascular health and gets your heart pumping! High-intensity workouts (such as running, jumping, or biking) are optimal for getting your blood flowing. This can include the following kinds of exercise:
2. Massage The Legs
Massage therapy can be another effective pain relief method for those dealing with poor circulation. Not only is a massage incredibly relaxing, it can also improve circulation and alertness, lower heart rate and blood pressure, and reduce muscle soreness and stiffness.
3. Compression Socks
Compression socks are very snug-fitting socks that gently squeeze your feet and calves. They work to compress your blood vessels so that your arteries can relax and blood can flow more easily.
4. Electrical Stimulation Therapy
A device like the DR-HO’S Circulation Promoter uses TENS and EMS to stimulate muscles and nerves in the feet, temporarily increasing local circulation and relieving pain in the legs and feet. Not only do these technologies work together to make the device effective, but they also feel like a soothing, hands-on massage, with kneading, chopping and rubbing sensations! Here’s how these technologies work:
a) Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) – conducts safe, gentle electrical currents that reach the body through footpads. By placing the feet on the footpads, electrical stimulations travel through nerve fibers in the nervous system in order to temporarily reduce pain signals from reaching the brain.
b) Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS) – is used to massage and stimulate healthy muscles to improve and facilitate muscle performance. After placing feet on the foot pads, EMS works to contract and release muscles in the feet and legs. This deep, penetrating massage helps temporarily increase local circulation and soothe sore, achy muscles at the same time.
But pain relief is personal! We suggest trying a few different techniques and seeing which one works best for your pain management routine.
At DR-HO’S, we offer a 90 day money back guarantee on all products sold on our website. So buy it, try it, and decide if it’s the right product for you.
The Circulation Promoter in action!
Start Managing Your Leg Pain from Poor Circulation Today!
Unfortunately, pain in the legs from poor circulation is a very common ailment.
Considering the importance of proper circulation, addressing a lack of circulation and the leg pain associated with it is crucial! Not only is proper circulation important for one’s overall health and vitality, but the leg pain caused by poor circulation can make many aspects of life more difficult. From running errands to accomplishing your goals, pain in the legs can just get in the way.
But there is hope! If you’re experiencing any of the symptoms discussed above, we urge you to consult your doctor and talk through a potential solution for you. Over the past 30 years here at DR-HO’S, we have seen first hand the difference that the right pain management device can make in someone’s life. Find one for yourself and take the first step in managing your pain.
