Cramps and leg pain are quite common occurrences.   There are three common causes for these problems, especially if there are no known injuries.  If cramps and pain happen during exercise in hot weather or at night,  the cause may be dehydration.  Extra water will solve this.  The cause may also be low levels of potassium in the body.  Good sources of potassium include bananas, orange juice, and potatoes.  Finally both cramps and pain may be a result of exercise after which the muscles have not been properly stretched.  When exercising, always stretch both before and after.  You will avoid not only pain and cramping but possibly injury as well.

Another cause for leg pain is shin splints which are caused by injury and inflammation to the front of the leg and resulting inflammation.  The exact nature of the type of injury that causes shin splints is not fully understood.  Treatment includes gentle non-weight bearing exercise, ice packs, anti-inflammatory medications, a support bandage, stretching, and possibly therapy.

Arthritis also causes leg pain.  The type of leg pain that starts from the buttocks and runs down the leg to the foot is often caused by sciatica, caused by compression of one of the nerve roots in the lower back.  A medical diagnosis is needed to confirm this.   Treatments for arthritis involve warmth to loosen up in the morning and, if swollen joints are involved, ice packs – ten minutes each hour.  Rest, gentle exercise, and gentle stretching. also help.  Suspicion of arthritis should be confirmed by your doctor.

A condition called Phlebitis can also cause leg pain.  tTis usually occurs in just one calf, when a vein is inflamed.  Phlebitis is most common after surgery or long periods of bed rest.  It can be very serious of a blood clot forms deep in the vein and travels to the lungs.  It is concerns like this that make it advisable for any periods of pain to be investigated by a physician.

Leg Cramps may occur if there is decreased blood flow to the leg muscles.  This decreased flow may be caused by  hardening of the arteries or atherosclerosis.  In addition to the cramping, there may also be pain with activity or exertion.  This pain disappears with rest.  Atherosclerosis progresses slowly and may start in early childhood.  Contributing factors are high cholesterol, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and smoking.

To avoid stomach cramps when exercising, always stretch first and learn to breathe with your lower lungs.

If leg cramps occur during the night, try stretching before going to bed, a warm bath, and keeping the legs warm during the night.  If a leg cramp wakens you during the night, try gently stretching and massage the area, across rather than up and down.

The leg pains that many children have are called ‘growing pains’.   The cause of these pains is unknown.  If they are severe, try gentle massage, a heating pad, or, if your doctor advises, acetaminophen.

It would be wise to contact your health car professional if leg cramps and pain are unabated in spite of moderate treatment, if there is swelling in one leg, or if there is redness in any part of the leg that is tender to the touch.

You should also contact your health care professional if you have any signs of impaired blood flow such as pale or blue-black color on the skin of toes, feet, or legs, or if there is a sudden onset of pain and the leg is cold or pale.  Also seek advice if you have pain that comes on whenever you walk a certain distance, but goes away quickly with rest.