Leg Pain at Rest: Possible Causes & What You Can Do

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Anyone who moves a lot every day and exercises regularly knows leg pain as muscle soreness. This kind of leg pain is a sign of prior exertion. But what does it mean when aching legs at rest occur even though you haven't pushed yourself or overexerted beforehand? In most cases, resting leg pain means your veins are under too much strain. You'll notice this through various symptoms, such as a burning feeling in your legs at rest, or leg pain while sitting. The good news: with the right clothing and a few simple exercises and lifestyle changes, you can improve your vein health and fight back against leg pain.

 

Why do my legs hurt when I'm at rest?

Leg pain can have many causes. To get rid of aching legs at rest quickly, you should identify the underlying cause as soon as possible.

There are different forms of leg pain at rest:

• Legs hurt while lying down
• Lower leg pain at rest
• Shin pain at rest
• Pain in the legs and feet at rest

Depending on how severe the pain is and whether other symptoms occur, a medical diagnosis and treatment should always follow.

Leg pain from sitting too long

Many jobs involve a lot of sitting. Working from home, at a checkout, in a hair salon, or in an office often means movement falls by the wayside. Ongoing inactivity puts strain on the veins in your legs, which rely on your leg muscles being active to help move blood back toward your heart.

With every movement, your calf muscles put pressure on your veins. This is thanks to what's known as the calf muscle pump, which helps carry blood against gravity back to the heart. Sitting or standing for long periods means this muscle pump barely works. On top of that, blood flows more slowly when you're at rest. The venous valves, which ensure blood only flows in one direction, then have to work especially hard.

All of this can lead to leg pain, because less blood is transported and instead pools in the veins. Swollen feet, ankles, and legs are also common companions of aching legs at rest.

Circulatory problems as a cause of leg pain

A common cause of aching legs at rest is poor circulation. Typically, the pain first appears after long walks, then after shorter ones, and eventually even at rest. This pain results from narrowed blood vessels, which prevent enough blood from reaching the extremities.

Lipedema can be a cause of aching legs at rest

Women with lipedema in particular are familiar with aching legs at rest. This condition causes an uneven buildup of fatty tissue in the legs, which in turn triggers swelling that puts pressure on the surrounding nerves and tissue. This is what causes leg pain — especially at rest.

Those affected by lipedema often have limited mobility. As a result, they spend a lot of time sitting or lying down, which sets off the same negative cycle again: a weakened calf muscle pump and poor circulation.

Symptoms: What exactly does aching legs at rest feel like?

Leg pain can be dull, pulling, stabbing, or burning, and can spread from one part of the leg to another. Many people with aching legs at rest experience a strong feeling of heaviness. It can feel as though your legs are tired or strained, even without any prior physical exertion.

Besides leg pain, several other symptoms can occur. Those affected often report tingling, a sign that a nerve pathway somewhere in the leg is irritated or impaired. This can also lead to numbness.

Other symptoms that can accompany aching legs at rest include:

• Swelling in the legs and feet
• Stiffness in the legs
• Skin changes in the affected area

If you only feel these symptoms in one leg and the leg pain comes with significant swelling, it could be a leg thrombosis. In this case, severe leg pain occurs and a diagnosis and appropriate treatment should follow very quickly. Acute, severe leg pain at rest should always be treated by a doctor.

Tips: What to do about aching legs

As soon as you feel uncomfortable over a longer period and have aching legs at rest, appropriate treatment should follow. The right treatment depends on what's causing your leg pain. Generally speaking, though, there are a few things that can help relieve aching legs at rest:

Aching legs: what to do?

1. Elevate your legs
   If you regularly get comfortable on the couch and elevate your legs while doing so, you can boost circulation because it reduces pressure.
2. Get moving
   Even with an office job or another sedentary role, make time for regular movement. Even a light walk can improve your circulation and strengthen your muscles. Regular exercise also helps you manage your weight — being overweight is another common cause of leg pain.
3. Get warm and cold compresses
   Alternating between warm and cold compresses can relax your muscles and relieve pain.
4. Treat yourself to a massage
   A gentle massage of the painful areas boosts circulation and reduces muscle tension.
5. Drink enough water
   Make sure to always drink enough water. Water is an important carrier for nutrients and oxygen in your body, so it also has a positive effect on circulation. A balanced diet with plenty of vitamins and minerals also supports your leg health.
6. Avoid long periods of standing or sitting
   Whenever possible, avoid standing or sitting in one position for a long time. Take regular breaks and move around.

Simple everyday exercises for leg pain

The venous pump in your legs should always be in motion so blood can be transported effectively. That's why even small exercises can help — ones you can easily work into your everyday routine.

Leg raises while lying down: For this exercise, lie on your back, slowly raise one leg, then slowly lower it again. Repeat 10 to 15 times for each leg.

Calf stretch: Do this exercise standing up. Place one leg in front of the other, bend the front knee, and keep the back leg straight. Slowly lean forward until you feel a stretch in your calf. Hold for 20–30 seconds, then switch sides.

Squats: Place your feet shoulder-width apart, bend your knees, and slowly lower your body as if you were about to sit down. Make sure your knees don't extend past your toes. Then slowly push back up. Repeat 10–15 times.

Many types of exercise support your leg health and can help prevent pain. Cycling is excellent for strengthening your leg muscles. Aqua jogging, yoga, and Pilates are also great choices for your legs.

Can medication help with aching legs at rest?

If leg pain limits your wellbeing over a longer period, keeps you awake at night, or stays with you throughout the day, medication may also be an option. Depending on the cause, your doctor may prescribe anti-inflammatory medication, or agents intended to dissolve a thrombosis or blood clot. For short-term relief, your doctor may also prescribe anti-rheumatic medication to ease the symptoms.

Compression supports vein health

One especially effective treatment for aching legs at rest caused by impaired vein function is compression. Compression stockings fit very snugly against the leg and apply pressure to the tissue and blood vessels. This pressure is graduated — meaning it increases from the bottom up. The greatest pressure is applied at the ankle and gradually decreases further up. This boosts circulation by improving blood flow in the legs.

Compression stockings can also prevent fluid buildup in the tissue, which reduces swelling. This is especially helpful if you have lipedema. Wearing compression stockings also stabilizes your muscles. Muscle vibration during movement is reduced, which in turn reduces muscle fatigue and muscle pain.

How can lymphatic drainage relieve aching legs at rest?

The pressure from compression stockings or wraps is applied mainly to areas of tissue with a high concentration of lymphatic vessels. Compression stimulates lymph flow, which prevents fluid buildup in the lymphatic pathways — one of the causes of aching legs at rest. Lymph fluid is moved toward the lymph nodes, and from there, excess fluid is removed from the tissue and returned to the bloodstream.

Are there alternatives to compression stockings and wraps?

The term "compression stockings" tends to make many women uncomfortable — and not entirely without reason, since there really are nicer things in life than squeezing into what feels like a far-too-tight pair of tights. Especially in warm weather, you can quickly start sweating, and putting the stockings on in the morning can become a real challenge. Compression stockings can restrict your freedom of movement. A more comfortable alternative is compression clothing from VeraMeyer, which supports you in everyday life without putting you through the wringer.

VeraMeyer compression pants and garments for leg pain

The days of having to squeeze into tight tights are thankfully over. VeraMeyer has developed its own collection for you and your leg health, offering garments as well as jeans and compression leggings. What all these products have in common is their exceptional comfort and everyday practicality. Delighted customers report that the compression clothing is easy to put on and take off, that they feel more energetic again, and that they simply feel much more comfortable without aching legs at rest.

Life without the Wonder Leggings – possible, but not nearly as nice

The classic piece from the collection is the Lymph-O-Fit Wonder Leggings with supportive lymphatic drainage. They were developed specifically for women with lymphedema. The inside features many small integrated massage nodes that stimulate lymph flow — so the leggings don't need to fit tightly to still apply maximum pressure. You can wear them in everyday life or during sports, helping you fight back against leg pain.