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Q) My calves continually ache when I’m running or doing any other exercise. I always stretch and I have had my shoes professionally fitted. What can I do? Can any types of exercise help?
By slhaf | June 12, 2009
A) Try to mix your running with non-impact activities, such as cycling, cross-training, rowing and swimming. If it’s only when you do impact activities that you feel this pain, then it could be due to over-tight muscle. Try to warm up your calves thoroughly before you start exercising, and do some stretches that involve a full range of movement for your calves, such as carefully dropping your heels down over the edge of a step. All such movements should be pain-free.
If they are not and your pain continues, I’d recommend you see a sports physiotherapist. There are a number of conditions you could be suffering from and it’s important to get it properly diagnosed. Most conditions are treatable and fixable.
Another important reason to see a physiotherapist is they can assess your biomechanics – the way you run. By highlighting ways to improve this, plus any muscle imbalances that require specific strengthening or stretching, you may well find your aching calves disappear. When booking your treatment, maybe in a gym or sports centre, make sure the physiotherapist has facilities to assess your running technique and is prepared to do this for you.
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Topics: Fitness Q&A, Home | 1 Comment »
June 19th, 2009 at 3:25 pm
I suffer from muscle fatigue in my calves also. The stretching does relieve some pain and it is definitely useful. There are a supports you can purchase such as BV Sports calf supports. These offer constriction to the muscle and are quite effective though don’t make your calves completely pain free! Worth a shot…