Legs are an important part of the human body. They give you mobility and allow you to be independent to carry on various chores during the day. Legs are responsible for helping you conveniently get through the day and thus, bear the brunt of your hectic lifestyle. The consequence of this can be leg pain that may leave you in acute trauma.

Several factors may cause leg pain. While in most case, the reason may not be severe. However, it is essential to visit the doctor if the pain persists for a long while. Here are some of leg pain causes that you may experience:

• Muscle cramps:  Muscle cramps is one of the most common leg pain causes. It occurs when the muscles of your leg are dehydrated and exhausted. Muscles cramps send down a tight and sudden pain in the leg and can get worse with time. To get rid of this leg pain, you can gently try and massage the affected area. Stretching and light exercises can help too. Also, drinking water and keeping your body hydrated will help in lessening the frequency of muscle cramps.
• Leg sprain:  It is not uncommon for people to twist their legs during a walk or when running. Sprains too are common leg pain causes and may be experienced by most people. Injuries from sprains are mostly minor. However, they can be very severe in rare cases. When the ligament is pressurized, a sprain or strain is the result.
• Varicose veins:  Varicose veins are caused due to weak vein walls and valves. Older people are more likely to suffer from varicose veins. The condition is noticeable as the veins appear to look dark and twisted through the layer of the skin. It causes a leg pain that is very mild, especially after standing or walking for long hours.
• Blood clots:  Blood clots develop when the blood in the veins thicken due to the inactive state of the body. Sitting in a vehicle for long hours or people who are overweight are at a high risk of developing blood clots in the leg. This leg pain cause can leave you in excruciating and traumatizing pain if left unattended.
• Fracture:  Fractures are caused when the bones in the leg are pressurized to an extent where they crack or break. They are easily noticeable and due to the swelling and receive immediate medical attention. There are stress fractures too, and they are caused due to repeated exertion of the same leg area. The pain may seem mild in the beginning but does become unbearable in the later stages.
• Sciatic nerve pain:  This kind of leg pain cause is the result of excess pressurization of the nerve in the spine. The condition leads to pain that runs down along the entire leg. If left unattended, the pain can go to be severe and thereby cause more complications in the future.
• Shin splints:  Shin splints are caused when the leg is engaged in intense exerting activities such as constant running and exercising. The pain lingers around the shin bone and is caused by injuries in the leg.

Several home remedies can help in reducing leg pain and they are as follows:

• Epson salt soaks therapy:  Epsom salt has been used for many years in relaxing leg pain. It contains magnesium that is responsible for regulating the nerve signals. All you have to do is add a teaspoon of Epsom salt to a basin of hot water. Soak your legs in this water for a while and repeat every few days until the pain is gone.
• Ice-bag compresses:  This method is used to treat various leg pain causes. Place the ice-bag compress on the affected area, and you will feel an immediate difference in the level of pain. The cold press reduces the inflammation of the area and decreases the swelling and pain.
• Easy exercises:  Suffering from pain or not, exercise is important for the overall health of your legs and body too. If you suffer from chronic leg pain, the regular exercising of your muscles can reduce the pain over time and give more benefits and relief from pain. Exercise also retain the density of the bones and makes it less prone to fractures and other injuries.
• Oil massage:  Massaging the foot and legs will ease the pain. The use of natural oils such as coconut or olive oil can help in better relaxation of the muscles if you experience pain after a long, exhausting day. The massage also aids in better blood circulation and relieves the foot from stress.

Home remedial treatments should only be used in the case of mild leg pain. If you suffer a major injury, it is essential to visit the doctor as soon as possible.