Don’t let calf pain slow you down!
Calf pain is common in individuals who spend a lot of time on their feet, whether you stand at work or run marathons.
In most cases, that calf pain is the result of an overuse injury of the calf muscles. It’s usually comes on with exercise and activity, and is often accompanied by stiffness.
The good news is, a combination of Chiropractic and Active Release can help quickly eliminate calf pain. So read on to learn more about calf pain, and when you’re ready give Dr. Keith McGahey at Eastside Chiropractic Group a call. He’s been helping people with calf pain since 1998, and chances are he can help you too!
What’s Causing My Calf Pain?
Sometimes calf pain can be a sign of a medical emergency. So make sure to consult your doctor. More commonly, calf pain is caused from overuse of the calf muscles. Usually as a result of the pounding on your feet and lower legs from standing, working, running and exercise.
Over time, that repetitive pounding can cause tiny tears in the muscles of the lower legs and calves. In the early going, rest and recovery is probably your best option. Without proper treatment, repeated use can lead to more serious injury, like compartment syndrome (see below). Meaning, doing something sooner than later is your best course of action.
What Is Compartment Syndrome?
Your calf are surrounded by a tough, fibrous covering called fascia. During exercise, blood flows into those muscles causing them to increase in size. If the fascia is unable to stretch enough when your muscles enlarge, pain and tightness can develop.
This is known as chronic posterior compartment syndrome. It can make exercise and activity, especially involving the calves, pretty uncomfortable. That discomfort usually gets much better once you discontinue activity. But is likely to come back again without proper treatment.
Symptoms Of Calf Overuse Injury
Overuse is a common cause of calf pain
With an overuse injury involving the calves, pain is typically felt along the back or inside of the lower leg. Calf pain and tightness often come on with the start of exercise and disappear once exercise is stopped. If your injury becomes chronic, calf stiffness may be present even when you’re not active.
In some cases, numbness or tingling may be present in the lower leg or foot. The calf muscles are usually not painful to touch with compartment syndrome, but may be tender with deeper pressure. There may be some tenderness present with a newer injury, like a pulled muscle in the calf.
Calf Pain Treatment – Sooner Is Better
If you’ve been feeling pain and stiffness in your calves with activity, don’t ignore it. These injuries respond much better to treatment early on. Without proper care, continued overuse can lead to scar tissue formation and the potential for compartment syndrome and chronic pain.
Active Release (ART) and Chiropractic are a deadly combination for treating this type of injury. ART can quickly break up scar tissue and return normal function to the muscles of the calf. While Chiropractic can help to loosen up stiff joints in the hips, ankles and feet that may be contributing to wear and tear on your calves. Together they can quickly, and often permanently, eliminate calf pain.
Ready To Feel Better?
If calf pain is starting to take the enjoyment out of being on your feet, help is just a call or click away. Dr. McGahey can help you get to the source of the problem and create a treatment plan to help eliminate your pain as quickly as possible. What are you waiting for?
Get Help Now!
Just call or click today to schedule an appointment with Dr. McGahey. You’ll be glad you did!