Intermittent claudication ‘ is a cramp-like pain that some people get in the calf muscle in one or both legs when they walk or take exercise. This pain goes away when they rest. The pain can also happen in the thigh muscles or buttocks. Some people may only get this pain when they walk uphill.
How do I stop my calves from hurting when I walk?
Rest your leg as much as possible, and elevate your leg with pillows. Take an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as aspirin or ibuprofen, to help ease discomfort as your leg heals. Wear compression socks or stockings with support.
What does it mean if your calf hurts when you walk?
Claudication is a common condition where pain occurs in the legs with exercise due to a reduction in the circulation . The cause is hardening of the arteries otherwise known as atherosclerosis. The common symptom is of a cramp like pain developing in the calf muscles on walking.
Why do my calves hurt when I walk up stairs?
The most common symptom of peripheral vascular disease in the legs is pain in one or both calves, thighs, or hips. The pain usually occurs while you are walking or climbing stairs and stops when you rest. This is because the muscles’ demand for blood increases during walking and other exercise.
How do you loosen tight calves?
How do you loosen tight calf muscles?
Stand near a wall with one foot in front of the other, front knee slightly bent. Also bend your back knee, keeping your heel on the ground, as you lean toward the wall. Feel the stretch in the lower part of your calf muscle. Hold this stretch for 20-30 seconds.
Can walking too much cause calf pain?
If you stand or walk a lot, the pressure on your legs can cause varicose veins in one or both calves . These thick, bulging veins can cause pain, burning, swelling, and itching.
What deficiency causes calf pain?
Potassium. Potassium helps maintain normal cell function in the body, particularly in the nerves and muscles. It is relatively common for people to have a potassium deficiency . However, if a person has a severe deficiency , they may experience symptoms such as leg cramps.
When should I be concerned about calf pain?
See your doctor as soon as possible if you have: Signs of infection, such as redness, warmth or tenderness, or you have a fever greater than100 F (37.8 C) A leg that is swollen, pale or unusually cool. Calf pain, particularly after prolonged sitting, such as on a long car trip or plane ride.
Why does the back of my calf hurt?
Calf muscle pain is usually the result of a mild injury, such as a strain, or leg cramps . But severe or ongoing pain in your calves can be a sign that the muscles in your lower legs aren’t getting enough blood.
Can dehydration cause calf pain?
That means less vital organs — like your muscles and digestive system — don’t get the water and electrolytes they need. Without these fluids, your muscles can start to cramp. You may particularly experience leg cramps in your calf muscles and thigh muscles .
How do you know if you pulled a calf muscle?
Symptoms of a torn calf muscle can include: No calf strength, including being unable to balance or bear weight on the injured leg. Snapping or popping sensation in your calf. Sudden pain in the back of your lower leg, like someone kicked your calf.
How do you treat a sore calf muscle?
- Rest the area.
- Ice the area for 20 minutes, using a covered icepack or bag of frozen peas.
- Compress the area with a bandage (but if the pain gets worse, loosen the bandage).
- Elevate the lower leg by sitting or lying down (for example with pillows), so it is above the level of the heart.
Why are my calves so tight no exercise?
Tight calves can be caused by:
Overuse – sudden start/increase in activity or change in activity . Underuse – not moving enough . Muscle wasting (atrophy) – see underuse but also common in older age . Muscle tears – these would also be acutely painful as well as tight.
Is heat good for tight calf muscles?
Why Use Heat
Heat helps reduce muscle pain, stiffness and spasms. It increases the blood flow to soothe the nervous system and relax your joints and muscles. Heat can be used before exercising to loosen up tight muscles .
Why are my calves so hard?
Overuse. Overusing the calf muscles can lead to tightness . People who frequently exercise are at a higher risk of overusing the calf muscles. Continuing to overuse tight calves can lead to more severe injuries.
Is it good to massage sore calves?
Massaging your legs is a good way to revive sore, tired legs after exercising or other activities . A separate foot massage can help even more. Other things you can do to relieve sore muscles that compliment massage include: stretching exercises.
How long does it take to stretch calf muscles?
The American College of Sports Medicine recommends holding a static stretch for 15 to 30 seconds and repeating three to five times on each side of the body, but Schroeder says there’s no need to overthink the timing—the important thing is to hold it until you feel a deep, satisfying stretch, she says.
Can arthritis cause calf pain?
Discomfort can occur in the affected legs, thighs, calves, hips, buttocks, or feet . In addition to pain, other common sensations are heaviness, numbness, or aching in the leg muscles. Rest usually helps.
How can you tell if you have low vitamin D?
- Fatigue.
- Bone pain.
- Muscle weakness, muscle aches, or muscle cramps.
- Mood changes, like depression.
Can lack of vitamin D cause leg pain?
A vitamin D deficiency can affect both physical and mental health, but many people have low levels of vitamin D without realizing. The physical symptoms of a deficiency may include muscle pain in the joints, including rheumatoid arthritis (RA) pain, which often occurs in the knees, legs, and hips.
What vitamin is good for weak legs?
Vitamin D helps your body use calcium. But when you’re deficient in this vitamin, your legs may feel weak, sore and heavy. A vitamin E deficiency may be another reason your legs feel heavy after a run.
