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We perform plenty of daily activities that involve lower body locomotion such as walking, running, and climbing the stairs. We do all these with the help of our leg muscles, specifically our calf muscles.

Your calves are composed of two muscles: 1) the gastrocnemius and 2) the soleus. Both muscles are located at the back of the lower leg, just below the knee and above the ankle. They allow forward movement by pulling the heel up, making it possible for us to walk, run and jog.

However, performing these activities can be unpleasant when you have calf muscle pain. The degree of pain may vary from person to person, but it usually feels like a dull, aching or sharp stabbing pain that is sometimes accompanied by tightness.

Types of Calf Muscle Pain

If you have severe calf muscle pain, you may experience swelling, tingling or numbness, weakness in the affected leg, and tenderness of the calf.

You might also feel warmth and even see redness in the affected area. In some cases, it could be the total opposite, wherein you could feel unusual coolness in the calf and see a pale color.

Depending on the root of the problem, calf muscle pain can be categorized as any of the following:

• Calf muscle strain

You may  experience discomfort and tightness in your calf muscle during activities like walking or running, when pressure is put on your calf. The recovery time for this type of calf muscle pain can last from one to two weeks.

• Calf muscle sprain

A sprain is a more severe type of calf muscle pain. It makes running impossible and walking difficult due to discomfort and swelling around the calf muscle. If you have a calf muscle sprain, expect to recover within two to four weeks.

• Calf muscle tear

Those who have a torn calf muscle experience the most severe calf muscle pain. This type of calf muscle pain makes walking impossible, and it could last from six weeks to three months. Coloring and swelling are also present.

Causes of calf muscle pain

Calf muscle pain is caused by several factors, which may include:

1. Muscle cramps due to dehydrated, overworked muscles, injuries, or mineral deficiencies
   
   
2. Muscle strain due to overexertion of muscles
   
   
3. Muscle imbalance due to weak and tight muscles. Pain due to weak muscles may manifest after prolonged standing while tight muscles are prone to damage due to increased tension.

Other causes of calf muscle pain include medical conditions such as:

1. achilles tendonitis
   
   
2. sciatica
   
   
3. contusion
   
   
4. diabetic peripheral neuropathy
   
   
5. deep vein thrombosis
   
   
6. compartment syndrome.

Preventing calf muscle pain

Calf muscle pain can significantly impact your daily activities, so it is important that you prevent it from happening. The best way to do this is to strengthen your lower legs through exercise.

Keep in mind, though, that exercise should be done properly in order to avoid calf muscle pain. Before and after workouts, it is important that you stretch the muscles you are going to exercise because it helps prepare and strengthen them, thus preventing you from experiencing future pain and injury. In addition, do not overdo your workouts when you are first starting. Instead, gradually increase the intensity of your workouts as you get used to the movements.

Finally, you need to stay hydrated. Water is essential for muscle recovery, so remember to drink enough water to help you avoid experiencing pain stemming from muscle cramps.

Treatment for calf muscle pain

If you are currently experiencing calf muscle pain, don’t fret. There are a number treatments available that can help you ease the pain.

The treatment for calf muscle pain varies depending on its severity. Some may require immediate medical attention, but most cases can be treated with the following remedies:

• R.I.C.E. (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation)

Elevate your calf and avoid putting undue pressure on it to minimize swelling then apply an ice pack on the painful area for a maximum of 20 minutes. You can do this several times a day.

• Over-the-counter medicine

Taking over-the-counter medicines such as ibuprofen or naproxen may help ease your calf muscle pain. However, it is best to take medication only after consulting with your physician.

• Stretching and exercise

Stretching is a good way to both prevent and alleviate calf muscle pain. Just remember to not overdo it and start with light stretching when you first feel pain symptoms. If you are unsure how to proceed, you can follow exercise guides so that you know you are on the right track.

• Heat therapy

Heat therapy is commonly used for strains and sprains because it helps relax and loosen up sore and tight muscles. This kind of therapy helps heal the damaged tissue by increasing blood flow to the affected muscle, thereby providing it with more oxygen and nutrients, which are both important for muscle recovery. Heat therapy is also beneficial once some symptoms subside and the swelling is gone.

You can apply heat to your calf muscle by using a heating pad. You can do it several times a day, especially before performing any activity that requires foot and leg motion or stretching.

To further loosen your tight calf muscle, follow these simple steps:

1. Massage your calf with a few drops of your preferred massage oil.
   
   
2. Rest.
   
   
3. Take a warm bath in a tub filled with epsom salt.
   
   
4. Apply a heating pad on your calf for 15 to 20 minutes. Set it to low heat only.

However, you must remember that heat therapy can’t be performed in the following conditions:

1. If the skin around your calf is inflamed
   
   
2. If you are experiencing numbness in the affected area
   
   
3. If you have dermatitis
   
   
4. If there is an open wound in the affected area, insensitivity to heat due to conditions such as peripheral neuropathy

Soothe your calf muscle with Wellcare

We aspire for better health for our readers, liberate them from their painful episodes, and empower them to pursue their goals and aspirations, and future endeavours pain-free.

Wellcare has soothing heating pads that can help you soothe and relax your muscles. Our products are designed to give you comfort and warmth not just for your calf muscles but also for other parts of your body.

Wellcare products are guaranteed safe. We manufacture them under strict guidelines and we use only the finest available materials.

What are you waiting for? Don’t let the pain limit you. Get a Wellcare product today.