Everything you need to know about calf muscle pain
Muscle pain in the calf is very annoying and often occurs in athletes, but also in people who do not do much sport. There are several causes, but fortunately also several solutions to get rid of that annoying calf muscle pain. We would be happy to tell you more about it. Read on below.
What causes calf muscle pain?
Stiff calf muscles are caused by several elements. It can be caused by climbing stairs, doing hill training, trying out a new sport or changing shoes. Muscle pain can last from a few days to a week and eventually goes away on its own.
What is muscle pain in the calf?
Calf muscle pain is characterised by an uncomfortable, painful feeling in the muscles at the back of the lower leg. This pain can occur after physical activity, due to overexertion, or as a result of an injury.
What can you do about it?
Fortunately, there are several things you can do to reduce calf muscle pain. We list them for you below.
- Exercise: You are probably tempted to rest as much as possible when you have calf muscle pain. But this is precisely what you should not do! Keep moving, but in a gentle way. Think yoga, swimming or walking. This will keep the blood flow in the muscles going without forcing your muscles.
- Medical taping: Using kinesiology tape on the calves is often used to reduce muscle pain. The tape provides support and relief to the calf muscles.
- Warm up the muscles: Opt for a warm bath or use a heat compress. This will relax the muscles and the calves will immediately feel nicer.
- Drink plenty of water: Drink plenty of water during and after exercise! When you drink enough water, waste products are better disposed of and muscle pain is reduced.
- Massage: Treating yourself to a massage will improve blood flow to the muscles and reduce calf pain.
- Do stretching exercises: When you stretch your aching muscles, this reduces the tension in the muscles and gets the blood flowing better.
How can you prevent muscle pain in the calves?
There are also a number of things you can do to prevent muscle pain. It is incredibly important to start your training or work-out with a warm-up!
But don't forget the cooling down, either. This is often skipped by people, but it is just as important. Also remember to eat enough proteins. These ensure fast muscle recovery.
Need additional information?
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