Many patients in Bangalore come to the clinic with leg pain and say the same thing.
“Doctor, painkiller helps for a few hours, then the pain comes back.”
Some think it is muscle pain.
Some think it is age-related.
Others worry it could be something serious.
To understand why this happens, we need to clearly separate pain relief medicines from circulation-related medicines. They work very differently.
Why Leg Pain Is So Common Today
In Bangalore, leg pain is extremely common because of:
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Long sitting hours at desk jobs
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Long standing work
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Traffic-related travel fatigue
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Reduced daily walking
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Age-related vein changes
But leg pain is not one single problem.
Treating it correctly depends on understanding where the pain is coming from.
What Painkillers Actually Do
Painkillers are often the first medicines patients try.
Common painkillers used
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Paracetamol
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Short-term anti-inflammatory medicines (only when prescribed)
What painkillers do
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Reduce pain signals
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Reduce inflammation temporarily
This is why pain reduces quickly after taking them.
What painkillers do NOT do
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They do not improve blood flow
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They do not correct circulation problems
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They do not treat vein-related pain
If pain keeps returning after painkillers, it usually means the cause of pain is still present.
When Leg Pain Is Related to Circulation
Circulation-related leg pain is very common, especially in people with vein problems.
It happens when:
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Blood does not return properly from the legs
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Blood starts pooling in leg veins
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Pressure inside veins increases
This causes:
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Heaviness by evening
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Aching or tightness in the legs
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Pain after standing or sitting long hours
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Relief after leg elevation
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Sometimes swelling or visible veins
In such cases, painkillers give only temporary relief.
What Circulation Medicines Actually Do
Circulation medicines are often prescribed when leg pain is related to vein problems.
Common circulation / vein-support medicines used in India
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Diosmin + Hesperidin combinations
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MPFF (Micronized Purified Flavonoid Fraction)
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Aescin (Horse chestnut extract)
What these medicines help with
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Reduce leg heaviness
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Reduce aching discomfort
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Improve daily comfort
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Support vein tone
What these medicines cannot do
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They do not repair damaged vein valves
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They do not remove varicose veins
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They do not work overnight
Patients usually start feeling improvement after 2 to 4 weeks when taken regularly.
Painkillers vs Circulation Medicines: Simple Comparison
Painkillers
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Act fast
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Reduce pain temporarily
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Do not treat the cause
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Not meant for daily long-term use
Circulation medicines
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Act slowly
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Improve comfort over time
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Address circulation-related symptoms
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Work best in early stages
If pain is due to circulation, painkillers hide the problem while circulation medicines support the system.
Common Mistakes Patients Make
These are very common in daily practice:
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Taking painkillers every day
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Ignoring leg swelling or heaviness
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Switching medicines without advice
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Assuming pain is “normal ageing”
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Delaying evaluation until skin changes appear
Early clarity avoids long-term problems.
When Leg Pain Needs Medical Evaluation
Do not ignore leg pain if you notice:
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Pain along with swelling
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Pain worse by evening
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Skin darkening near the ankle
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Visible or hard veins
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Pain not responding to tablets
These signs often point towards circulation-related issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why do painkillers not work for leg pain?
Because painkillers reduce pain signals but do not treat circulation problems.
2. Are circulation tablets better than painkillers?
They are better when pain is due to vein or circulation issues.
3. How long do circulation medicines take to work?
Most patients notice improvement in 2 to 4 weeks with regular use.
4. Can I take painkillers daily for leg pain?
Daily use is not advised without identifying the cause.
5. When should leg pain be checked by a specialist?
When pain is recurrent, associated with swelling, or not responding to tablets.
Doctor’s Perspective
As a vascular specialist in Bangalore, Dr. Sravan C.P.S often explains this to patients:
Painkillers treat pain.
Circulation medicines address the reason behind the pain.
Understanding the difference helps patients choose the right treatment at the right time.