There can be many causes for a person having leg or arm pain, from soreness by overusing a muscle that is usually quickly resolved with rest, to the most severe the result of a herniated disc. Time is usually the best indicator of the need for seeing someone as most muscle fatigue situations quickly resolve over a few days. A trauma can be the source of the problem, which can lead to a more serious condition and need for treatment. Sometimes it can be the result of a long-standing condition that goes untreated and suddenly flairs up with no warning.
The spinal vertebrae allow for the proper amount of space for the nerves from the spinal cord to be sent out to the arms and legs. If these vertebrae become misaligned or the discs between the vertebrae lose their thickness and get smaller then the spacing for the exiting nerves can be compromised and compressed. When this happens, it can cause not only pain, but weakness atrophy, numbness, tingling, burning and other sensations that tend to last until the pressure on the nerve is removed. The pain can be over a small area close to the spine, but usually radiates down the arm or leg and when severe can reach the fingers or toes. Obviously, this requires immediate attention and one should not wait expecting this condition to resolve on its own.
I am trained to evaluate people for the various conditions and will discuss with you the possibilities of treatment as well as a referral, if needed.