Calf pain when jogging

Lizling

Don't injure yourself. You'll be out of action for far longer if you get injured than if you take a few days off now. Just do a bit of cross training like swimming or cycling with some yoga if you can.

If you can't use the foam roller, maybe try rolling a fairly hard ball or even a tin can along the muscle using your hands? You'll need to press hard to get right in deep.

A really good stretch for the calves is to stand with your toes on the edge of a step or a kerb and drop one heel at a time down. Hold it for at least 30 seconds at a time.

gsymoo

About 18months ago I started running, and I also began to get calf pain, somedays I'd be limping a few days later! I'd have a few days off then go out again. I soon began to get pain around my ankle, with heat and swelling in the evening.

After a visit to the physio I was told I had flat feet and had really damaged my ankle tendons (first sign you're getting problems is pain in your calf) I needed physio for 4 months including having my leg and ankle taped.

The only thing that has worked for me is inserts. The physio said you could have them made but at over £200 a go I tried the sholl (?) orthopaedic sports inserts (I chose those as they offered a full refund after 30days if no good and were about £25 a pair at Boots). I've got my second pair as I'm now running 3 miles, every other day and have been since april - no injury.

Once the physio said I could try again I was only allowed to run half a mile and that was on the understanding if I got any pain I was to immediately stop. I slowly had to increase the milage.

Please be very careful about going back out running if you still have a niggling injury - you can really damage yourself! Good Luck!

elanfan_2

I don't want to be the harbinger of doom here but what you describe 'could' be an indication of Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD) - the symptoms you describe are known as Claudication.

If you are fit enough to run miles I doubt you have too much to worry about but it would be important to keep yourself fit, eat right etc etc.

Have you had a diabetes check (free at most pharmacies and quick/ simple). If you are or have been a smoker give it up. Is there is any history in your family of PVD.

You can get a check via your GP at a hospital - this is a simple ultrasound (like a pregnancy scan) where they check out your arteries are working properly. The check does go up into the groin area (which was a bit of a shock the first time I had it done) which for me induces serious ticklishness which is the only unpleasant part of the procedure.

skellyness

I get calf pain when I start a new exercise regime as my body gets used to it - sometimes for a day or two to the point its painful to even stand on them, I usually ease off and let my body get used to it. Also extra calf stretches and foam rolling can help

lisa701

If you have flat feet that will definately be the cause of your calf pain. Sadly the only solution is to either buy running shoes suitable for over-pronators or special insoles. The insoles are a lot cheaper and you can get decent ones for a lot less than £100.

I understand its an expense but if you want to continue running its essential otherwise you risk long term injury which may stop you running alltogether.

Alias_Omega

I would recommend a visit to a Running Shop... NOT Sports Direct!

They will get you to stand in a bucket of water, and look at your foot. Then they film you on the treadmill, analyse the video then suggest a trainer.

You will then run in this trainer, then go again.


You don't need to buy the most expensive, or cheapest. They may have older models, which will be cheaper. Once you have your shoe, you can buy replacements from Wiggle/eBay..

lisa701

Alias_Omega wrote: »

I would recommend a visit to a Running Shop... NOT Sports Direct!

They will get you to stand in a bucket of water, and look at your foot. Then they film you on the treadmill, analyse the video then suggest a trainer.

You will then run in this trainer, then go again.


You don't need to buy the most expensive, or cheapest. They may have older models, which will be cheaper. Once you have your shoe, you can buy replacements from Wiggle/eBay..

I agree. In fact you can be cheeky like me, have the analysis done, try out the shoes then go and see if they are cheaper elsewhere

Alias_Omega

Or whip out your phone and start negotiations.

Local running shop charges £10, refundable on your shop purchase. Its a small shop, treadmill and video equipment is expensive.

Others may be different

ladybee

Have you tried running outdoors at all? If you're permanently on a treadmill it could aggravate the pain and the wonders of running across a muddy field can be brilliant cross training which'll help any niggles! I see a foam roller's been mentioned, but also a tennis ball could help - standing on it and rolling the soles of your feet over it can help open up your arches.

iamashoppingaddict

Hi guys

Thanks for your most recent posts. Well it was my birthday Thursday so I got some birthday money so yesterday I took I trip to Sweatshop and got myself analysed!! I'm now the proud owner of a very bright pair of trainers. I'm neutral in my left foot and over pronate on my right.

I explained to the lady that I had a strict budget (basically what I got given for my birthday) and although the trainers which were eventually chosen as right for me were very expensive she used various 'managers' discounts and let me have them for my budget which was so nice. She was lovely. Nearly made me cry!!

Anyway I did a run in them yesterday afternoon and although things still felt sore, I figure they will do until things settle down. My inner arch on my right foot was quite painful but I assume thats because my foot isn't used to a trainer holding my foot up!!

With regards to running outside, unfortunately they horrible comments about being 'fat' whilst even walking down the pavement do put me off. It has happened and I'd rather get some confidence first before I go out.

So anyway, hopefully the new trainers will help and my calve muscles will get better. I have been doing some strengthening exercises as well so fingers crossed all will be well!