Calf pain

Phy

Barefooters
Mar 2, 2012
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Wednesday (4/24) I was running faster then usual when my left calf tightened up and then kinda pulsed or spasmed a couple of times. I was unable to continue to run on it and it has continued to be painful through today. Walking on it doesn't hurt to much (but there is pain). Trying to run a step or two radiates sharp pain through out the calf. Any advice on what it could be or treatment would be appreciated, thanks.
 
Most likely pulled the calf muscle. The question is why. I am guessing that there is more to this such as a tight it band, tight gluts and some core issues. Stay off running for 3-4 weeks until the pain subsides, do some core work and work on the it band, gluts and upper back with a foam roller. It may be helpful to have a friend take a video of you when this heals on a treadmill to check out any gait abnormalities to prevent it happening again
 
Most likely pulled the calf muscle. The question is why. I am guessing that there is more to this such as a tight it band, tight gluts and some core issues. Stay off running for 3-4 weeks until the pain subsides, do some core work and work on the it band, gluts and upper back with a foam roller. It may be helpful to have a friend take a video of you when this heals on a treadmill to check out any gait abnormalities to prevent it happening again
Hey....I am not a doctor. I will repeat...I AM NOT A DOCTOR.....okay...with that out of the way, I have a question for Backfixer. Why do you suggest 3-4 weeks off? Are you a sports medicine doctor? I ask because one of my peeves is when doctor's default responses are..."2-3 weeks off". Sometimes in my experience with ibuprofen, massaging, rolling, etc and some very light running, my recovery is faster.

I'm not insinuating that you are wrong or that Phy should not be cautious (as likely TMTS is a major driver for the op's problem) but couldn't this be a cramp followed by a still very tight calf?
Just curious and also want to provide a different perspective.

In either case...it would probably be helpful if you were to give us some more background Phy. How long have you been running? How long have you been running BF? Are you running BF or minshoed? How old are you (if you feel comfortable sharing)? Weekly mileage? etc
 
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I've been running for about 2 years, 1 1/2 barefoot/min (mostly bare). I was bare at the time, and running about 1-1 1/2 min/mile pace faster than usual (this may have something to do with it). Weekly mileage is 7-9 miles. I only run 3 days a week, do some weights twice a week (non-running days), and am 42 years old.
 
Hi Phy,
Was it the lower part of the calf towards the ankle or the upper. From my experiences over the years you put much more stress on the Soleus due to the different foot angle and excentric loading when barefoot running. It has got me a few times over the years. It can also be not giving your calf enough recovery time in between runs, especially if you have had a hard run one day and not rested.
3-4 weeks is pretty standard for calves. If you don't rest and reinjure, it takes longer again.

Neil
 
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This may not be your case, but as Neil said...I have really pushed the pace a few times which I'm assuming changed my form. This lead to incredible calf tightness and what seemed like a small golf ball in my calf muscle (quite a job to walk up and down stairs). I then just massaged and rolled the living crap of out them (slowly and lightly at first...then with increasing intensity over time and as it got better). Keeping active and running cautiously really helped me recover faster than the first time when I did not run.
It looks like you've been at this for a little bit now, but your mileage is not super high....so if it is just a tight Soleus short recovery runs could help substantially in conjunction with stretching, rolling, and massaging.

This being said....it really does depend on what is going on underneath that skin of yours.:barefoot:
 
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Most likely pulled the calf muscle. The question is why. I am guessing that there is more to this such as a tight it band, tight gluts and some core issues. Stay off running for 3-4 weeks until the pain subsides, do some core work and work on the it band, gluts and upper back with a foam roller. It may be helpful to have a friend take a video of you when this heals on a treadmill to check out any gait abnormalities to prevent it happening again

Oh.....glut, core, back, or even arch tightness is also a safe bet here as Backfixer suggested. as they say...your running bone is connected to your stretching bone....or something like that :confused:
 
It's in the upper calf. I'm able to walk ok, with discomfort. I'll work on light stretches and some rolling. Thanks for the advice all.
 

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