Arm & Leg Pain
Pain in an arm or a leg often has very little to do with the arm or the leg. A great deal of it is referred from irritation in the spine.
At a glance
- Where it comes from
- Often referred pain: a spinal nerve is irritated and the discomfort is felt along its whole course, into the arms and legs.
- Other causes
- Arthritis, bursitis, tendinitis, frozen shoulder and vertebral subluxations are the ones we see most frequently.
- How it is diagnosed
- A physical examination combined with imaging, using what aggravates and relieves the pain as diagnostic clues.
The shoulder and the hip are two of the most heavily used joints in the body, and two of the most vulnerable to a variety of ailments. We treat both at our Derby and Burton-on-Trent clinics.
Often the cause is completely unknown to the person in pain. A weekend athlete who overused the joint during a match, someone hurt in a car accident, someone who lifted too much at work or at home, a grandparent who fell asleep holding a grandchild in one position all night - all of these produce pain felt almost immediately, from injury or irritation to muscle, bone or nerve.
Just as often it arrives gradually with no obvious trigger. The most frequent causes are arthritis, bursitis, tendinitis, frozen shoulder and vertebral subluxations.
Referred Pain
Pain moving from one region of the body to another - referred pain - has been shown to account for a great deal of arm and leg discomfort.
We regularly meet patients whose arm and leg pain is being redirected from spinal nerve irritation. A misaligned vertebra or disc narrows the space around a nerve, the nerve becomes inflamed, and the discomfort is then felt along its whole course. The pain patterns associated with sciatica are the clearest illustration of this.
Patients are often astounded by how far the nerves reach - from the spine all the way to the fingers and toes. It is why damage at the vertebrae can be felt anywhere down the arms and legs.
What Happens When You Come In
No GP referral, no obligation, and care built around what matters to you.
Book Directly
You do not need a referral from your GP. Chiropractic is a primary healthcare profession in the UK, so you can come straight to us - including evening and Saturday appointments.
Your First Consultation
We take your full medical history and examine you properly. Nothing is assumed from the spot that hurts, because the place you feel pain is rarely the place it starts.
A Diagnosis in Plain English
We explain what we have found and what is causing it, then recommend the most appropriate course of care for your symptoms, lifestyle and goals.
What Is Causing My Arm or Leg Pain?
Given the complexity of these joints and the enormous number of potential causes, it is worth consulting a specialist rather than guessing.
To identify the source, your healthcare professional will usually combine a physical examination with imaging technology, using the location of the pain, what aggravates or relieves it, the type of sensation, and other symptoms such as swelling, skin changes and bruising as diagnostic aids.
Treatment then begins with the most frequent and most likely cause. In the majority of arm and leg pain complaints that means misalignment - subluxations - of the vertebrae in the neck and lower back, which irritates the surrounding tissues and nerves.
Can A Chiropractor Help?
As with any ailment, your initial line of treatment should focus on the most frequent and usual source of your pain and symptoms. The majority of complaints of arm and leg discomfort have been shown to be caused by misalignment (subluxations) of the vertebrae in the neck and lower back. The surrounding tissues and nerves may become irritated when bones or discs are misaligned or unable to move normally.
The extent to which patients’ nerves are distributed throughout the body, from the spine to the fingers and toes, often astounds them. Therefore, damage to the spine’s vertebrae might cause pain to feel anywhere down the arms and legs. Patients at Cedar Tree Chiropractic have had great success with chiropractic treatments thanks to a meticulous pattern of care. Contact us in Burton-on-Trent or Derby now to make an appointment if you or a loved one is suffering from arm or leg discomfort.
Questions we get asked
How long will it take for me to recover?
Recovery timelines vary depending on a number of factors. We take the time to understand your symptoms, lifestyle and goals before recommending the most appropriate course of care.
What is an adjustment?
An adjustment, also known as manipulation, is a specific technique used by chiropractors to improve the function of joints in the body and the nervous system. Misaligned joints cause stiffness, inflammation and pain; an adjustment realigns them so they can function properly.
Can I be referred to a chiropractor on the NHS?
Unfortunately, in our local area, chiropractic care is not available through the NHS.
Other conditions
We’ll take the time to find out what’s causing your problem and explain it clearly. Together we’ll make a plan to get you better, and keep you better.
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