Headaches & Nerve Pain
Leg Pain Associated With Back Pain
Leg symptoms that travel with the back rather than starting in the leg.
Also called: Referred leg pain.
Leg pain that accompanies back pain may be referred from irritated spinal joints and soft tissue, or it may be produced by irritation of a nerve root. These two processes can feel similar to the person experiencing them but behave differently on examination.
Referred pain from the joints tends to stay in the thigh and not travel below the knee, while nerve root irritation can extend further down the leg and bring numbness or tingling with it — though there is variation from person to person.
Why this matters
Distinguishing between referred pain and nerve root irritation changes what is recommended and whether further investigation, such as imaging, is needed.
How the leg pain behaves with different positions — standing, sitting, bending forward — is one of the more useful pieces of information for making that distinction.
The brain & nervous-system connection
Where the nervous system fits in
Sensation, reflex, and strength testing help separate referred pain, which does not usually affect these findings, from nerve root involvement, which often does.
This distinction reflects whether the nervous system pathway itself is being affected or whether the pain is originating from surrounding joint and soft tissue structures.
What we look at
We look for patterns, not a single test
- Detailed health history and consultation
- NeuroInfiniti Stress Response Evaluation
- Posture and movement
- Balance and coordination testing
- Eye movement or neurological screening when appropriate
- Grip or motor-function testing when appropriate
- Palpation and spinal function
- Other examination procedures based on the individual
Not every person receives every test. What we perform depends on your history, your age and what the examination shows as we go.
Scope of care
What this does — and doesn't — mean
What we do
- • We evaluate chiropractic and musculoskeletal function.
- • We look at nervous-system-related functional findings that fall within our scope.
- • We assess movement, balance and coordination findings.
- • We measure stress-response patterns with the NeuroInfiniti evaluation.
- • We make individualized chiropractic care recommendations and re-measure over time.
What we don't claim
- • We do not diagnose, treat or cure diseases.
- • Chiropractic care is not a treatment for dementia, Alzheimer's disease or other neurological diseases.
- • Chiropractic care is not a replacement for medical care, testing or medication.
- • No outcome is promised. Results vary from person to person.
Common questions
- Will I be adjusted on the first visit?
- Generally no. The first visit is an evaluation visit. Dr. Geran reviews the findings and makes recommendations at the follow-up visit.
- Do I need imaging before I come in?
- Not usually. If your history or examination suggests imaging is needed, we will say so and help arrange the right next step.
When medical evaluation may be needed
Some symptoms need medical evaluation first. If anything in your history or examination suggests that, we will say so and help point you in the right direction.
Related at Foothills Chiropractic
- Low Back Pain & Sciatica — Low back pain is common, but the place that hurts is not always where the problem is being driven from.
- Back Pain — One of the most common reasons people look for a chiropractor — and rarely as simple as one sore muscle.
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome — Hand numbness and tingling associated with the median nerve at the wrist.
- Cervical Radiculopathy — Arm symptoms that follow a nerve root pattern from the neck.
Think Foothills Chiropractic might be right for you?
Start Here walks you through what the process looks like, so you can decide whether taking the next step makes sense for you.