Types of Calf Pain
The calf muscles, or Triceps Surae, include the medial and lateral heads of the gastrocnemius and the soleus. Most calf injuries and inflammation occur within these three muscle groups.
Gastrocnemius Strains
Soreness and pain deep in the lower back of your leg, often caused by stretching or overuse. Tightness and pain may worsen with walking or running.
Soleus Strain
More difficult to diagnose, often misattributed to Achilles tendon issues. Soleus strains are typically more painful than gastrocnemius strains. The key difference: gastrocnemius strain pain crosses the knee joint, while soleus strain does not.
What Are the Risk Factors of Calf Pain Caused by Running?
- Overload or stress on the calf muscle (e.g., increased training intensity, running without rest, barefoot running)
- Weakness or lack of endurance in the calf muscle
- Overstretching the calf muscle
- Achilles tendinopathy (tendinitis)
- Speed work and hilly runs
Overload or Stress on the Calf Muscle
Boosting training intensity, running without rest, or running barefoot increases stress on the calf muscles, leading to pain and tightness.
Overstretching the Calf Muscle
Overstretching during running or physical activity can strain the calf muscle and result in pain.
Achilles Tendinopathy
Stiffness, soreness, and tightness in the tendon region are common symptoms, often due to repetitive running or physical activity.
Symptoms of Calf Pain from Running
Symptoms vary by severity. Mild stress can be self-treated, but seek medical help if you experience:
- Redness and bruising
- Inability to stand, walk, or run on your foot
- Soreness and swelling
- Sharp pain in the calf muscle affecting mobility
- Numbness and tingling in the calf muscle
- Pale skin color in the calf
- Visible veins in the affected region
Remedies & Treatments for Calf Pain from Running
Prolotherapy
In recent years, Prolotherapy has built its reputation within the medical community for its clinically proven ability to treat calf pain. Published research has proven its pain-relieving, anti-inflammatory, and regenerative benefits. Prolotherapy involves injecting a natural regenerative solution with tiny needles. This has been shown to stimulate the production of collagen cells, the small cells needed to repair the damage and help calf pain. As prolotherapy is helping to treat the root cause of calf pain, it is deemed to be a permanent fix, preventing the symptoms from returning.
Other Treatments
- Heat Pads & Foam Rolling: Use heat pads (not immediately after injury) and foam rollers to release tight calves and alleviate pain.
- Wrapping: Wrap your legs with a soft cloth to reduce swelling and increase mobility.
- Rest: Take breaks before and after hard exercise. Listen to your body and address discomfort immediately. Learn more about calf muscle pain causes and remedies.
- Ice: Apply an ice pad for 20 minutes every two hours (never directly on skin).
- Calf Stretch: Stretch your back, glutes, and hamstrings before gently stretching the calf muscle to relieve pain.
Diagnosis
Your healthcare provider may recommend:
- MRI to check for blood clots or internal bleeding
- Ultrasound to check for fluid build-up around the calf muscles
Recovery Duration
Most people feel better in 2–3 days, but full recovery can take 6–7 weeks. Severe cases or those requiring surgery may take 4–5 months to heal completely.
Prevention Against Calf Pain
- Be Careful While Running: Use proper running shoes, maintain good running form, and avoid sudden jerks or sprints.
- Warm-up: Always warm up before workouts. Stretch calves with lunges, mini squats, or wall presses.
- Stronger Calf Muscles: Strengthen calves with regular exercise and a balanced diet. Single calf raises and cross-training are effective.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my calf pain is serious?
If you have severe pain, swelling, numbness, pale skin, or cannot walk, seek medical attention immediately.
Can I run through calf pain?
No. Running through pain can worsen the injury and delay recovery. Rest and treat the pain before resuming activity.
How can I speed up recovery from calf pain?
Follow RICE (rest, ice, compression, elevation), use pain relievers as needed, and gradually reintroduce stretching and strengthening exercises.
Is prolotherapy safe for calf pain?
Yes, prolotherapy is considered safe when performed by a qualified practitioner and has shown promising results for chronic calf pain and injuries.
Contact ProHealth Clinic Today for Your FREE 15-Minute Discovery Call
Don’t let calf pain control your life any longer. Join the thousands of patients who have found lasting relief through prolotherapy at ProHealth Clinic.
Get in Touch
- Phone: +441234380345
- Email: info@prohealthclinic.co.uk
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- London: 104 Harley Street, Marylebone, W1G 7JD
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Author Bio
Having performed over 10,000 procedures, Mr Eaton is one of the UK’s leading practitioners in the field of treating calf pain, with patients travelling to see him from across the UK, Europe, and the Middle East.
With over 12 years of clinical experience, Oliver is dedicated to helping patients understand their symptoms associated with calf pain and providing effective treatment options to alleviate them.
He qualified in Prolozone Therapy and Prolotherapy in America with the American Academy of Ozonotherapy. He continued on to complete further qualifications at the Royal Society of Medicine, Charing Cross Hospital in London, Keele University’s Anatomy & Surgical Training Centre, and the medical department of Heidelberg University in Germany.
Over the years he has had the privilege of treating many elite-level athletes, including both Olympic and Commonwealth medallists.
References
- sports, B. (2020, October 12). Preventing calf pain while running. Bauerfeind SPORTS. https://www.bauerfeind-sports.com/running-outfit/sleeves-lower-leg/
- Davis, J. (2021, May 22). Calf strains and runners: Why you get them and a 3 week plan to treat. Runners Connect. https://runnersconnect.net/calf-strain-running-injury/
- Felson, S. (2020, June 1). Common running injuries: Causes, prevention, and treatment. WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/guide/running-injuries-causes-prevention-treatment#1
- Louw, M. (2021, October 22). Tight calves or calf pain when running? Sports Injury Physio. https://www.sports-injury-physio.com/post/tight-calves-calf-pain-running
- Cherney, K. (2019, March 8). Pulled calf muscle: Symptoms, treatments, and recovery. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/pulled-calf-muscle#recovery