If your thigh pain when sitting disrupts your ordinary routine, it's crucial to determine which is causing it to make sure it's not serious or an underlying condition. Keep reading for a few commonly encountered situations, and once you receive a diagnosis, you will find a few things you can do to lessen or prevent thigh pain when sitting.
Causes of Thigh Pain When Sitting
Sitting can cause thigh pain that is different from that of walking or standing. We will examine the source of thigh pain when sitting in more detail.
Meralgia Paresthetica
Meralgia paresthetica is a condition in which the peripheral sensory nervous system is damaged due to compression or another pinching of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve. A person who has the condition experiences pain, throbbing, burning, or numbness of the thigh when sitting. Do not hesitate to speak with a doctor if you suspect that you have the condition.
Venous Insufficiency
Venous insufficiency is a condition that can affect the veins in your lower extremities. If you have thigh pain that occurs immediately after sitting or standing, you may be suffering from venous insufficiency. The leaky valves cause this condition in leg veins that prevent blood from moving from your legs back to your heart. It leads to fluid accumulation.
Sciatica
Sciatica pain resembles shooting pain that moves from the lower back down your lower body. This condition is associated with pinching of the sciatic nerve and is commonly felt after sitting for a long time. Sitting increases the pressure on spinal discs, making sciatica pain worse. Those who have a difficult time dealing with sciatica can find pain relief when they lay down or stand up.
Trochanteric Bursitis
The hip joint contains an underwater sac that protects the underlying bone from the surrounding soft tissue. When that sac outside the top of the thigh gets inflamed, it's called trochanteric bursitis or trochanteric pain syndrome. This inflammation can be caused by overuse or injury. People who run, cycle, or simply walk are more prone to developing trochanteric bursitis.
Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
When blood clots happen in the veins, they are known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT). If an impending DVT developing news results in life-threatening symptoms, the clots often break away from the legs and travel to the lungs, causing pulmonary embolism. If you experience severe leg pain discoloration, it is best to consult a doctor to determine whether you have deep vein thrombosis.
Overuse and Injury
Muscle pain or tightness when you sit can signify something simple, such as overdoing your regular activities. Intense exercise, housework, or gardening may all cause your muscles to tighten up and get sore. Pain or soreness in your thigh muscle groups--hamstring or quadriceps--may indicate that you need a break. When you get active and then restfully recline afterward, your muscle tissues tend to tighten, which might cause soreness. Relax and stretch to get rid of this pain.
Common Symptoms
There are a few common symptoms of thigh pain when sitting; which include:
- Numbness
- Aching
- Tingling
- Decreased strength
- Pain
- Burning
Remedies for Thigh Pain When Sitting
When you're experiencing thigh pain when sitting, you should first have a doctor examine you. Knowing your thigh pain's cause is key to choosing an effective treatment option. Try these remedies to find relief if you know what s causing your pain.
Apply Heat
To relieve muscle pain, Heat truly is superior. The Heat soothes the pain by locally increasing blood flow. Use a herbal heating pad or a hot water bottle for 20 minutes at a time or until you feel relief. Don't use Heat if you have a blood clot, swelling, or open wound. And because you'll have skin injury from the heating pad or hot water bottle, don't sleep with it.
Compression
Compression from a thigh brace or elastic wrap may help with thigh pain caused by an injury. The pressure from a brace or wrap helps reduce swelling, promotes blood flow, and gives added support as your condition heals. It is important to wear a brace while doing activities that your injury stimulates but to refrain from wearing it all the time.
Medication
Several over-the-counter pain relievers can help you manage your pain in the area. Ibuprofen is an anti-inflammatory non-steroidal drug (NSAID) that helps reduce swelling and pain. Other pain relievers like acetaminophen do not offer the same anti-inflammatory properties but are good for alleviating pain. Always talk to your doctor or pharmacist before starting a new over-the-counter pain reliever.
Massage
Then massage may be the answer to your thigh pain if you want relief from muscle mass tightness. Massage uses gentle strokes and pressure to release muscle tone and reduce spasms. You will experience a sense of relaxation during and after a massage because of the endorphins released. Avoid a massage if you have blood clots.
Take Breaks From Sitting
It's necessary to stand up from sitting to take a break from our sedentary lifestyle. A certain modern way of living has expanded our chairs and caused us to get heavy on our backs. If you're at a computer, try a standing desk for a few seconds to give your body some relief from sitting. Standing will relieve the nerve stress that runs along your thigh.
Use Seat Cushions
To apply a seat cushion to dampen your seat, you should look in place of a seat cushion. The increased padding will reduce the pressure points by dispersing pressure evenly across the cushion. Another option is to upgrade to an ergonomic chair, as these chairs are configured to improve your posture, which will decrease depending on how large it is your thigh, back, and shoulder pain.
Stretch & Strengthen
Pain in the lower and upper thighs is caused by tightness in muscles, joints, and tendons. Stretching these muscles will enhance your range of motion, and lengthening the muscles will relieve pain. Strengthening exercises work the surrounding muscles to support the joints and structures in the thigh area. Reaching out to physical therapy for assistance may be useful.
Sleep Posture
The way that you sleep plays a role in your physical and psychological well-being. Poor sleeping positions can compromise your thighs and hips and lead to tremendous pain, so consider utilizing a pillow or blanket for local support while you sleep. Back sleepers might additionally benefit from applying a pillow between their knees. Positioning your legs in this manner can prevent them from sliding outside your thigh and hip while on the back. If you're a side sleeper, keep a blanket under your knees to prevent them from tugging.
Reducing Your Thigh Pain
Thigh pain can make it difficult to get through your day-to-day tasks. Consult with your doctor to get an accurate diagnosis of your pain. Once you have that diagnosis, you can work with your doctor to find a treatment plan that works for you. This plan may include Heat ,Cold therapy pack, stretching, medication, and/or braces. With persistent treatment and care, you will find pain relief and be able to enjoy all the activities you love.