Have you been experiencing persistent leg pain for no reason? Ever wondered why that is? It may be hard for you to understand why you have this kind of pain in your lower legs. Your doctor may tell you that you just need to rest and avoid vigorous activity. Whatever the cause may be, there is no need to continue enduring leg pain. With the correct information, you can get better at treating that random pain in the leg you get for no reason.

What causes leg pain for no reason?

There are many reasons why you may experience swollen legs and pain for no reason. Maybe you have been exercising for a couple of hours a day and are now experiencing pain in your lower back or other areas of your body. Here's a look at some of the most common causes of random leg pain that you have not been aware of:

Varicose veins

Have you ever had trouble sitting or standing for long periods? Does it become painful in these positions? Do you notice bluish-grey swollen patches along your legs and thighs? If so, you may have a varicose vein problem. Varicose veins are caused by poor blood circulation due to prolonged standing or pressure on your legs, resulting in the deoxygenated blood pooling in your veins. As a result, the veins get enlarged and stretched, giving out the bluish knotted appearance beneath your skin.^[1]

Treatment for varicose veins includes the use of compression devices that can promote blood circulation in your legs, thereby preventing it from getting pooled in one place. If you think you have such a condition you should consult a medical practitioner to understand the best form of treatment.

Leg cramps 

You know that awful feeling of your muscles tightening and contracting involuntarily out of nowhere? We all have experienced leg cramps at some point, but they usually resolve within several seconds to a few minutes. The most common reason for leg cramps is dehydration. This is why it is mainly felt during or after a workout (especially in hot or humid weather).

But there are instances when your leg muscles ache long after the cramp has subsided. This is due to micro-tears that transpire within your muscles during those strong contractions. Therefore, even if you think your leg muscle pain is for no reason, this might be the actual underlying cause. It is essential to stretch out your muscle, help it relax and use massaging and compression tools that can encourage faster recovery.

DOMS

Are you suffering from a case of the dreaded DOMS or delayed onset muscle soreness?

If you have been working out hard and following a fairly strict routine, there may not be any apparent cause for your pain - or at least there shouldn't be. Pursue a logic-based approach to your training regime. There may be an excellent reason why your muscles feel sore - perhaps you have been overtraining or over-stressing your body before an upcoming activity. If this is the case, you're very likely experiencing DOMS or delayed onset muscle soreness.

What is delayed onset muscle soreness, you may ask. Delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) is generally felt 12 to 24 hours after exercise, and it makes your leg muscles feel stiff and tender to the touch and may radiate pain at times.^[2]

What causes delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS)? Overused muscles are most often the cause of DOMS. This is common for those that engage in strenuous workouts that lead to microscopic tears in the muscle fibers. As the body begins to repair the damages, it leads to inflammation in the areas with the muscle tears, which results in pain experienced during the days that follow the strenuous workout. This is a natural process, and unless the discomfort lasts for weeks or months, it does not require medical attention.

While some people believe that a lactic acid buildup causes delayed onset muscle soreness, it is essential to state that this is misinformation and should not be a cause for concern.^[3]

Treatment for delayed onset muscle soreness is simple, and it can mostly be treated at home. Activities such as light stretching, foam rolling, steam baths and massages can help recover from delayed onset muscle soreness. It would be helpful to use a compression device, the likes of Spryng compression wraps, that can promote the oxygenation of blood in your feet and legs to help your sore muscles recover faster.

Calf muscle strain

Most commonly experienced among those that engage in sports, the pain level of calf muscle injuries can vary based on the type of injury.  A mild injury otherwise known as a strain can go unnoticed during your busy day.  Calf muscle strains are caused by sudden pressure being applied to your foot, usually in sports that require bursts of speed, such as basketball or tennis. You may sense the occasional twinge of pain or a feeling of discomfort in the affected area. You might even feel a tugging or pulling sensation in your lower legs.

If you experience calf pain in your legs for no reason, this may be a cause and it usually requires rest and relaxation to heal. Use an ice pack on your sore muscles and alternate it with a heating pad, and give it quality rest time to recuperate.

Shin splints

A type of overuse injury, shin splints take place when bones and muscles of the lower legs get pulled and irritated, causing inflamed, swollen and painful legs. This is a common occurrence among athletes as they experience repeated stress on their shin bones. 

It is important to apply a cold compress 3 to 4 times a day and rest your legs if you are experiencing this condition. Further to this, an active compression device the likes of Spryng can be used to increase blood circulation and treat inflammation thereby alleviating the pain in your legs.

References

^[1] https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/varicose-veins/causes/ 

^[2] https://www.healthline.com/health/doms#symptoms

^[3] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27409551/