Running and calf pain.
Discussion
Over the past three years I have had to take long breaks from running due to calf injury. The problem appears to be my right calf going into spasm and cramping. Once it has "gone" that is running done for two or three weeks minimum.
I have seen a podiatrist who gave me carbon orthotics to stop me over pronating. They helped a bit. I have seen a physio extensively, but he has been unable to get to the root of the problem.
My calves have always tended to be my weak point when running. They get very pumped up and sore.
This morning I did three miles and had to stop to stretch three times, when I felt my right calf threatening to seize. The tightening sensation is at the bottom of the calf muscle and it is a prelude to a stabbing pain deep in the muscle that spells the end of running.
Any pointers on which way to go with this would be appreciated.
Regiment said:
What's your running style, forefoot strike or heel strike?
Forefoot strike.I would add that even when walking on a treadmill 5 degree incline I often have to stop and stretch out my right calf which starts to become tight. I also tend to get mild shin splints and knee discomfort that side.
I have watched my running slowed down on a PC and I USED to have a problem on the right whereby my foot would land supinated, and quickly snap to pronated. This would inevitably put stress on the calf muscle. However, I now have orthotics and I concentrate on keeping my foot neutral. I haven't had my running filmed lately but perhaps I should.
Manks said:
Once it has "gone" that is running done for two or three weeks minimum.
This mght just be your problem? After an episode I would not run for 6 weeks minimum to allow for full recovery and gradual rehab via stretching 6 times per day along with 3 times per week calf and hamstring workouts. Good luck!Tonsko said:
At risk of teaching you to suck eggs, are you getting enough salt? Have you tried eating more bananas? I understand that the salt and potassium can help with muscle spasms/cramps.
I do get a fair bit of salt, but I don't eat bananas. The cramp I get is unlike an ordinary cramp, it is more like a muscle that goes into spasm because it is getting a hammering for some reason. The physio can release it by pressing deep into it with his thumb. It hurts like hell but I can walk normally again afterwards. I cannot run though.In reply to the earlier response about recovery time: This time I have taken months out and my calf is still threatening to seize when I run. In the past I have had calf issues but found that if I built up distance slowly and got to a point where I was running 3 times a week I would PROBABLY be okay.
IroningMan said:
Sounds very similar to the problem I am having. I midfoot strike and tend to hit the ground with the outside edges of my feet - and I'm going through a cycle of repeated strains/level one tears that goes back to November.
It's immensely frustrating.
What changed in November? You presumably didn't change your running style?It's immensely frustrating.
My wife and I both run and of late she has been having the same problems.
She thinks it was caused by a change in her running style.
She purchased a support
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Neo-MEDICAL-Support-breath...
And so far it seems to be working
(she took a couple of weeks off initially to allow rest.
She thinks it was caused by a change in her running style.
She purchased a support
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Neo-MEDICAL-Support-breath...
And so far it seems to be working
(she took a couple of weeks off initially to allow rest.
Manks said:
IroningMan said:
Sounds very similar to the problem I am having. I midfoot strike and tend to hit the ground with the outside edges of my feet - and I'm going through a cycle of repeated strains/level one tears that goes back to November.
It's immensely frustrating.
What changed in November? You presumably didn't change your running style?It's immensely frustrating.
Manks said:
goldblum said:
Manks said:
Any pointers on which way to go with this would be appreciated.
Are you sure it's not an achilles issue?I sometime have a similar problem, albeit not as bad as yours. For background, I'm a regular runner (6 - 7 days / 50+ miles a week).
I haven't got a nailed yet, but it seems to worst when a combination of the following features:
1. Running with my other half (slightly slower pace)
2. Dehydrated (well, hung over actually!)
3. Wearing tights, rather than shorts. I think that if the tights are a little to tight it causes the issue. If I wear my normal compression shorts under my tights, the problem is far worse. Some sort of circulation issue perhaps?
I haven't got a nailed yet, but it seems to worst when a combination of the following features:
1. Running with my other half (slightly slower pace)
2. Dehydrated (well, hung over actually!)
3. Wearing tights, rather than shorts. I think that if the tights are a little to tight it causes the issue. If I wear my normal compression shorts under my tights, the problem is far worse. Some sort of circulation issue perhaps?
UpTheIron said:
I sometime have a similar problem, albeit not as bad as yours. For background, I'm a regular runner (6 - 7 days / 50+ miles a week).
I haven't got a nailed yet, but it seems to worst when a combination of the following features:
1. Running with my other half (slightly slower pace)
2. Dehydrated (well, hung over actually!)
3. Wearing tights, rather than shorts. I think that if the tights are a little to tight it causes the issue. If I wear my normal compression shorts under my tights, the problem is far worse. Some sort of circulation issue perhaps?
Interesting. I am not a fast runner, I tend to be under hydrated, I almost always wear tights (in the winter anyway) and with support shorts under them.I haven't got a nailed yet, but it seems to worst when a combination of the following features:
1. Running with my other half (slightly slower pace)
2. Dehydrated (well, hung over actually!)
3. Wearing tights, rather than shorts. I think that if the tights are a little to tight it causes the issue. If I wear my normal compression shorts under my tights, the problem is far worse. Some sort of circulation issue perhaps?
goldblum said:
Manks said:
knk said:
Agree. 6 weeks off running then a graduated walk/run program gives you the best chance of returning to painfree running.
I've had about 6 months off this time. Same problem.My gut feeling about it is that something in my foot strike is causing the problem. The serious supination to pronation switch is less, but maybe it is still there sufficiently to aggravate the muscle tissue, which then tightens and sustains tears as a result (that might of course be the biggest load of nonsense).
Manks said:
Is the injury still present, or is there something going on that reproduces the same injury when I run?
My gut feeling about it is that something in my foot strike is causing the problem. The serious supination to pronation switch is less, but maybe it is still there sufficiently to aggravate the muscle tissue, which then tightens and sustains tears as a result (that might of course be the biggest load of nonsense).
Yeah you may be right, but if every time you run you become injured then you should stop running. It's very frustrating I know.My gut feeling about it is that something in my foot strike is causing the problem. The serious supination to pronation switch is less, but maybe it is still there sufficiently to aggravate the muscle tissue, which then tightens and sustains tears as a result (that might of course be the biggest load of nonsense).
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