How Do I Stop My Calves From Hurting?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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  1. Rest the area.
  2. Ice the area for 20 minutes, using a covered icepack or bag of frozen peas.
  3. Compress the area with a bandage (but if the pain gets worse, loosen the bandage).
  4. Elevate the lower leg by sitting or lying down (for example with pillows), so it is above the level of the heart.

What can cause calf pain in both legs?

  1. Muscle cramp. Muscle cramps are sudden, painful contractions of the muscles. …
  2. Muscle strain. …
  3. Achilles tendonitis. …
  4. Sciatica. …
  5. Contusion. …
  6. Diabetic peripheral neuropathy. …
  7. Deep vein thrombosis. …
  8. Compartment syndrome.

Does Covid make legs hurt?


You may get pain in your arms, legs, or back that develops spontaneously with no injury

. Typically, in a coronavirus infection, the pain is in muscles rather than in joints. But if you have an arthritic joint in your arm or leg, the virus may exaggerate the symptoms. The pain may be severe and limiting.

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.

How do you loosen tight calves?

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.

Why do my calves ache in bed?

Nighttime leg cramps

may be related to foot position

. We often sleep with our feet and toes extending away from the rest of our bodies, a position called plantar flexion. This shortens the calf muscles, making them more susceptible to cramping.

Why do I keep getting calf strains?

Calf muscle strains usually occur

when someone suddenly moves or overstretches their calf after standing still

. Quick pivots, jumps or abrupt stops can cause strains. This injury is especially common when your toes get forced upward (toward your body) and your ankle pulls your calf muscles down too quickly.

Can Walking cause calf pain?


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.

Can dehydration cause leg pain?

Dehydration


Dehydration is one of the most common causes of leg cramps

. A cramp is an involuntary contraction of a muscle. The fluids in your body allow your muscles to relax, but—when those muscles are dehydrated—they get irritable and prone to cramping.

Can diabetes cause calf pain?

You may think diabetes only affects your blood sugar, but

it can also cause poor circulation in certain areas of your body. This includes cramping in your legs, as well as pain in your calves, thighs, or buttocks

. This cramping may be especially bad when you’re physically active.

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.

Why are my legs aching so much?

Most leg pain results from

wear and tear, overuse, or injuries in joints or bones or in muscles, ligaments, tendons or other soft tissues

. Some types of leg pain can be traced to problems in your lower spine. Leg pain can also be caused by blood clots, varicose veins or poor circulation.

Can COVID affect your muscles?

When unwell with COVID people are less active than usual. This

can cause aches and pains, stiffness and muscle weakness

. Muscle weakness can lead to difficulties with activities such as standing, climbing stairs, gripping objects with your hands or lifting your arms above your head.

Does COVID-19 affect muscles?

COVID-19 is described as a multiorgan disease that affects not only the respiratory tract of infected individuals, but

it has considerable effects on the musculoskeletal system, causing excessive fatigue, myalgia, arthralgia, muscle weakness and skeletal muscle damage

.

How can you tell if you have low vitamin D?

  1. Fatigue.
  2. Bone pain.
  3. Muscle weakness, muscle aches, or muscle cramps.
  4. Mood changes, like depression.

What are the signs of a deficiency?

  • Fatigue.
  • Shortness of breath.
  • Dizziness.
  • Pale or yellowish skin.
  • Irregular heartbeats.
  • Weight loss.
  • Numbness or tingling in the hands and feet.
  • Muscle weakness.

What vitamin deficiency causes heavy legs?


Vitamin B1

deficiency can cause heavy and tired legs after running, muscle cramps, fatigue, and odd sensations in your legs and feet. Some foods rich in vitamin B1 include whole grains, vegetables, legumes, milk products, and meat.

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.

What problems can Tight calves cause?

Tight calf muscles limit the range of motion in your ankles, which causes some people to walk more on the balls of their feet. This shift toward the front of your foot when you’re moving can lead to problems like

bursitis and nerve entrapment

.

What is the best exercise for calves?


Running, walking, and hiking

are excellent calf-strengthening exercises, especially when you go uphill. The steeper the climb, the more your calves have to work. Running sports such as soccer, basketball, and tennis demand that you run, jump, and push off your calf muscles to accelerate or change direction quickly.

What vitamin deficiency causes leg cramps at night?

Summary. Having a

magnesium deficiency

can be a cause of muscle cramps. And it’s common for people to need more magnesium.

Why is my calf tight when I wake up?

When one gets up from bed in the morning or from a prolonged period of sitting,

the gastrocnemius is typically at its tightest

. “This prevents the ankle from accommodating the body going over the foot. As a result, the heel must come off the ground sooner, applying greater stress to the foot and ankle,” Dr.

Why do calves feel tight?

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 walking good for calf strain?

For the first few days,

reduce the amount of walking you do

. Gently move your ankle regularly to avoid stiffness. Avoid forceful and strenuous activity such as running and jumping until you can walk without it causing any pain.

Should I massage a calf strain?


Getting a massage is also very beneficial right after the initial injury

(just not at the site of the tear!) Massage can lengthen the entire posterior chain while increasing circulation around the strain through the whole leg. Rubbing the bottom of your foot over a tennis ball can also ease the pain felt in the calf.

What does calf strain feel like?

Snapping or popping sensation in your calf. Sudden pain in the back of your lower leg, like someone kicked your calf. Swelling and bruising in your calf muscle. Visible indentation beneath the skin where the muscle is torn.

Emily Lee
Author
Emily Lee
Emily Lee is a freelance writer and artist based in New York City. She’s an accomplished writer with a deep passion for the arts, and brings a unique perspective to the world of entertainment. Emily has written about art, entertainment, and pop culture.