Leg Pain
The legs are important part of the body. They bear the weight and enables person to move. Legs are therefore made stronger than the hands by default. The body’s biggest and also perhaps the strongest muscles are also present in legs named as sartorius. They are none other than the thigh muscles. Anatomically there are three parts of the leg, namely foot, leg (middle portion) and thighs. Pain anywhere in the leg makes the person unable in walking or makes person limping.
Ayurveda believes that any pain is due to Vata Dosha presence. Legs are known as paada in Ayurveda. They are full of strong muscles and have plenty of nerves, blood vessels etc.
Useful Herbs in the Treatment of Leg Pains
Clove (Syzygium aromaticum)
Clove oil is applied on the affected leg muscle as a poultice. It provides immediate relief from pains, especially if they are due to muscle cramps.
Ginger (Zingiber officinale)
Ginger has wonderful painkilling properties. It must be included in the daily diet if muscular pains in the legs are a chronic problem.
Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra)
Licorice is very effective in relieving muscle aches. An infusion of its roots must be prepared in water and kept overnight. This helps in almost all kinds of muscle problems.
Madhuca (Madhuca indica)
Madhuca has positive effects on leg pains, especially if they are due to rheumatism. Its oil is applied locally over the affected regions.
Pepper (Piper nigrum)
Pepper helps in dilating the superficial blood vessels, thus helping in proper blood circulation. It also has analgesic properties and can be used as a liniment in muscular problems.
Diet for Leg Pain
Ayurveda suggests restricting grams and pulses in diet. Any dry and astringent foods are to be avoided. Green and leafy vegetables are good to have. One can increase vitamin E intake so it prevents cramps in legs. Potassium is essential and so the sodium. But high intake is avoided. Person suffering from hypoprotenemia i.e. lack of protein supplement in the body generally suffers from leg pain in terms of cramps.
Vitamin B complex is best and hence to be taken in good quantity. The combination of pulses and cereals with slightly fermented form if taken in small quantity works for the same. The Indian food named dosa and idli are best source of vitamin B complex. Ayurveda denies taking super sour food and fruits and hence are to be avoided. Certain ghee preparation may help reducing the general body ache.
Ayurvedic Treatments for Leg Pains
There are good oils in Ayurveda that are used for external application over the affected legs. If the muscle pains have occurred suddenly, then most likely they are cramps. In such cases, Mahanarayana tailam or Praharini tailam are applied to get relief. Warming the oils a bit and then applying has better effects.
For internal administration, Sinhanaada Guggulu is prescribed. This drug is also a mild laxative. So it will also correct whatever digestive problems may be there with the system. Other commonly prescribed medicines are Laxmivilasa rasa and Pratapa Lankeshwara rasa.
Home Remedies for Leg Pains
If you have regular complains of pains in the legs, then there are some simple exercises you can do in order to get relief from them. Some of them are described:-
a) Lie on your back on a firm bed. Wear some loose clothing over the legs, such as shorts or pajamas. Raise your legs gradually in the air, as far as they can go. The heels should point skywards. Hold the legs in this stretched position for about ten seconds and then bring them down again. Do this five times per session, and repeat the exercise thrice a day.
b) Alternatively you can stand facing a wall at an arm’s length distance from it. Stretch out your arms and touch the wall with your open palms. Then slowly pull yourself forward (towards the wall). Feel the stretching pressure building up in your legs. Hold yourself in this stretched position for about ten seconds and then let go. Do this five times per session, and repeat the exercise thrice a day.
c) Even Yoga has several leg stretching exercises that can be used with great positive effects. These exercises are Uttanpadasana, Janusandhi and Gomukhasana.
If the cramps occur when performing an exercise workout or some physical activity, then have a glass of lemon water with a pinch of salt in it.
If you have leg pains in the joints due to arthritis, then crush two to three cloves of garlic and add them to a glass of diluted milk. Boil it to quarter its amount and drink it just before bedtime.
Applying a hot pack or fomenting the leg with steam helps to improve circulation in the leg and eases the pain. Even applying cold packs helps. This will reduce the blood flow into the leg region and help the muscle to relax.
Put one part of camphor in twenty parts of mustard oil. Keep this in the sun till the time the camphor properly dissolves in the oil. Use this oil to massage the leg on a daily basis.
If you get a sudden sprain in the leg, then prepare a paste of turmeric with lime and salt and apply it.
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