18/03/2024
How to relieve calf muscle pain and why do calves hurt?
Calf muscles are essential for everyday movement. Not only do they allow you to stand on your tiptoes or bend your leg, but they are also involved in basic movements such as walking, running, and jumping. Why do calves hurt and how can you deal with the pain?
What causes pain in the calf?
Calf muscle pain can affect anyone, but it is most common in athletes and people who overuse their calf muscles. If your calves hurt and are tight after physical activity, the cause is usually muscular. However, if the pain occurs without a clear cause, it may signal a problem with the blood vessels. Thus, the cause of calf muscle pain can be a strain, cramp, bruise, but also, for example, tendonitis, narrowing of the arteries or dangerous deep vein thrombosis.
Calf pain after walking and running
Throbbing calf pain when walking or running is very common and there are several causes. Let's take a look at some of them.
Muscle cramps
Muscle cramps most often affect the legs and do not avoid the calf muscles either. Cramps are manifested by pain that can be mild but also very intense, and the affected areas can be hard to the touch. Muscle cramps usually last from a few seconds to a few minutes.
Why do muscle cramps occur? Inadequate stretching before physical activity, overexertion of the muscles, low blood supply to the muscles, lack of electrolytes in the body, or dehydration may be to blame.
How to prevent muscle cramps? By stretching sufficiently and staying hydrated before physical activity.
Shoulder pain is also a common problem, read more about its treatment.
Muscle injuries
Calf muscles can also hurt due to injury. The most common muscle injuries include bruising caused by hitting and muscle strain, which occurs when a muscle is overused or overstretched. How does a calf muscle injury manifest itself? In addition to pain, you may notice visible bruising and swelling.
What is the prevention of calf muscle injuries? Remember stretching and warming up the body before physical activity, practice proper posture and maintain a healthy weight.
What are other possible causes of pain in calf muscle and leg?
In most cases, calf muscle pain is not severe, but it can indicate certain diseases such as peripheral artery disease, chronic venous insufficiency or lumbar spinal stenosis, a disease in which nerves are affected.
How to strengthen the calf muscles?
One of the most proven ways to prevent calf muscle injuries is to strengthen them. Other benefits of strengthening the calves include improving the ankle's ability to handle load, as well as preventing ankle sprains and other ankle-related injuries.
In various types of sports, the calves play a quite crucial role. Strengthening the calf muscles can improve your running technique, leading to improved speed and endurance. How to build stronger calf muscles? For example, by jumping rope, jumping on a box or platform, or lifting your calves in a seated position.
How are sore calf muscles treated?
You can usually deal with mild pain in the right or left calf at home by resting, icing the calf muscles, compressing the calves, or raising the leg to an elevated position. If the pain is caused by a muscle spasm or you feel a painful knot in the calf muscle, gently stretching the calf can help.
In the pharmacy you can buy a variety of preparations that will bring you immediate relief from sore calves. Mobilat® Gel or Cream is used as an adjunctive treatment for various post-injury conditions and inflammation. It reduces pain and swelling and speeds up the healing process.
If the pain persists or is very intense, your doctor may recommend other treatment options such as topical medication, painkillers, rehabilitation, laser treatment, or shockwave therapy. If, in addition to pain, you are experiencing swelling, tingling or numbness in your calf, you should see a doctor immediately.
Read more about problem with the blood vessels and chronic venous insufficiency.
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