Leg pain is common in athletes and in people who engage in physical activities. The pain, in most cases, is benign and self-limiting. It may develop gradually or suddenly, can be intermittent or constant, and the affected area also varies from a specific spot to the entire leg. The legs bear the weight of the body, and so, it is not abnormal to experience pain.

Causes of leg pain
Various reasons can cause leg pain.

Treatment for leg pain
A person can experience mild or severe leg pain depending on its cause. It is advisable to visit a doctor in case of persistent and severe leg pain. If the pain is moderate, one can try some home remedies for leg pain.

• Rest as much as possible: Stop doing the activity which has caused the pain. If you have a sports injury, consider taking a break from it, or if the cause is a physical labor job, take a day or two off from work.
• Keep your legs elevated: Elevating your legs can bring down any swelling and also relieves pain. Avoid sitting with your legs down. Raising your legs on a sofa or an ottoman is a good treatment option for curing leg pain.
• Use an ice pack: Wrap an ice pack in a towel and place it on the affected area of the leg to numb the pain. One can consider this type of treatment for leg pain in case of any sports-related injury to reduce inflammation. Avoid placing ice directly on the skin.
• Warm the affected area: Sometimes, one can treat leg pain by warming the affected area with a heating pad. This treatment can also soothe arthritis pain.
• Exercise gently: If the leg pain is caused due to muscle cramps, you can try a few gentle exercises such as stretches or a massage to loosen up the tight muscles.
• Stay hydrated: Sometimes muscle cramps are caused by dehydration, either due to less intake of water or because of excessive sweating on warmer days. So, consider drinking 8-10 glasses of water each day.
• Medication: Consider taking over-the-counter medicines like mild painkillers or anti-inflammatory drugs to get quick relief from pain.