ANSWERS: 1
  • The neck contains and protects many nerves. "The nervous system is not linear," says Dr. Rob Gottesman, a Colorado chiropractor. This means that a neck injury might refer pain to almost anywhere, including the legs. It is not likely, but it is possible. And any injury can trigger a domino effect in the body which might lead to leg pain.

    Nerves of the Neck

    There are 153 nerves in the head and neck area according to the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences nerve chart. A neck injury can pinch or damage nerves that may cause pain to travel down a specific nerve path. Usually, the pain will radiate to arms or hands rather than legs.

    Referred Pain

    Referred pain means pain that is somewhere besides the point of injury. If you have pain in the leg that you suspect is related to a neck injury, it could be referred from nerve irritation or confusion. It is more common to get leg pain from a low back injury.

    Symptoms of Pinched Nerves

    When a nerve is involved, you might have tingling, heat, shooting or burning pain, or numbness in a specific area. Pain may seem to travel and move around when nerves are involved. Nerve pain is not usually a dull ache or soreness.

    Domino Effect

    It is very possible that a neck injury can affect how you stand, walk, and sit. These changes in posture can cause other areas of the body to get out of balance. If the neck injury causes your low back to compensate, leg pain might occur. If postural changes cause the sciatic nerve (from low back area to knee) to become irritated, leg pain may develop.

    Leg Pain

    If the pain in your leg is very specific to certain movements like getting out of a chair it may not be related to a neck injury. If the pain feels like soreness, aching, or dull in nature it is probably not related to pinched nerves in the neck.

    Source:

    Nerves of the Head and Neck

    Pinched Nerve Symptoms

    Dr. Rob Gottesman, Colorado Springs Chiropractor

    More Information:

    Sciatica Symptoms and Possible Causes

    Neck Pain

    Referred Pain

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