Joint and muscle problems in the lower extremities – from the pelvic girdle to the toes – often occur in conjunction with back pain. It’s often difficult for patients to pinpoint the cause themselves. For this reason, and to ensure effective treatment, we use your medical history and an orthopedic examination to determine whether your condition is related to the spine, hip, knee or foot joints, or the muscles.
If necessary, we will arrange additional diagnostic tests.
![[Translate to Englisch:] Chiropraktische Behandlung von Beinen, Knien und Füssen](/fileadmin/_processed_/2/1/csm_chiropraktische-behandlung-von-unteren-extremitaeten_b96fc25bf9.jpg)
In addition to back pain and pain radiating to other parts of the body, we also assess isolated joint and muscle symptoms. Depending on the diagnosis, we will prescribe chiropractic therapy or investigate the cause further. Only 15% of our patients experience pain that is not directly related to the spine [1]. In these cases, we often work together with other departments at Balgrist University Hospital to find the most promising treatment.
Causes of pain in the lower extremity
Pain in your legs, knees or feet has many causes. The pain is often not only local but also radiates from another area, such as the spine. For example, pain can radiate from the back to the buttocks or legs, or trigger points in the muscles can cause discomfort in distant parts of the body.
Joint-related causes
- Signs of wear and tear
- Tendon problems (tendinopathy)
- Congenital disorders (e.g. hip impingement, leg misalignment, flatfoot)
Musle-related causes
- Harmful strain on the muscles
- Overexertion due to exercise or in everyday life
Particularly common symptoms in our clinic
- Osteoarthritis, especially in the hip, knee or ankle joint
- Tendon pathologies, such as inflammation of the Achilles tendon or patellar tip syndrome
- Plantar fasciitis (heel spur)
Typical and secondary symptoms
The primary symptoms are pain or functional impairment directly in the affected area of the body. However, the place where you perceive the pain can vary and does not necessarily coincide with the source of the pain. The following symptoms are frequently reported; they often occur in combination with back pain and indicate the pain originates from the spinal area:
- Pain and restricted movement
- Muscle tension or cramps
- Muscle weakness
- Tingling or numbness in the legs
Chiropractic treatment options
During the initial consultation, we determine the cause of your symptoms by taking a detailed medical history and in-depth clinical examination. Based on this, we develop a prognosis and work with you to decide whether chiropractic treatment is sensible and likely to be effective for you. Our treatment approach includes the following measures:
Manual therapies
- Manipulation and mobilization of joint dysfunctions
- Muscle-relaxing measures such as manual trigger point therapy, dry-needling or therapeutic local anesthesia
- Traction therapy
Instruction and advice
- Ergonomic adjustments in everyday life
- Strengthening and/or stretching exercises
Additional measures, if required
- Prescribing physiotherapy or medical exercise therapy
- Accompanying pain management, including painkillers or referral for cortisone injections
- Prescribing orthopedic aids
If the symptoms cannot be eliminated through chiropractic treatment, or if other specialist evaluations are required, we will organize the assessment and treatment on an interdisciplinary basis with other specialist departments at Balgrist University Hospital.
The next step—when should I see a chiropractor?
![[Translate to Englisch:] Chiropraktische Behandlung der Beine](/fileadmin/_processed_/e/f/csm_chiropraktische-behandlung-der-beine_c26707e6e6.jpg)
If you’re experiencing musculoskeletal problems, a chiropractor can be your first point of contact. Chiropractic services in Switzerland are covered by basic insurance and you can make an appointment directly with us. If you’re insured under the general practitioner model of your health insurer, please contact your GP practice for a referral.
How do contact us: +41 44 386 57 06 e-mail
References
Hofstetter L, Häusler M, Mühlemann M, Nyirö L, Mühlemann D, Hincapié CA. Musculoskeletal healthcare at a Swiss university hospital chiropractic medicine outpatient clinic in 2019: a health services research study. Chiropr Man Therap. 2022;30(1):7.