Calf pain is common in individuals that are on their feet for long periods. This could be standing, walking, as part of a job or jogging, and running. In most cases, calf soreness and/or pain result from repetitive/overuse strain/injury/tear of the calf muscles. Pain along with stiffness presents with physical activity, exercise, movement. Chiropractic treatment and Active Release can help alleviate and eliminate calf pain.

Calf Soreness, Pain and Chiropractic Treatment

Calf  Muscles

The calf muscle is in the back of the lower leg, behind the shin bone, and consists of three muscles. The calf muscle supports the body when standing and enables movement of the foot and lower leg. The calf muscles support the body when:

  • Walking
  • Running
  • Jumping
  • Standing on the toes.
  • Flexing the foot – lifting the toes toward the knee.
  • It helps push the body forward and allows jumping, ankle rotation, and flexing of the foot.

Causes, Conditions, and Disorders

The overuse of the calf muscles usually causes calf soreness, discomfort, and pain. Over time, tiny tears develop in the muscles of the lower legs and calves. Repeated use can lead to more severe injury or condition without proper treatment. Conditions include:

Strain

The most common injury is a strain. Strains happen when the muscle fibers are overused and get stretched too far and/or tear. However, the fibers may not tear in that instance, and so the tear could occur at a later time while doing a basic movement like slightly bending or kneeling to tie a shoe. This is when individuals wonder how a tear happened with a simple action. But the tear was already present, just not fully torn.

Cramps

Muscle cramps and muscle spasms in the calves can be excruciating limiting mobility. Calf cramps can happen during the day or at night. They can result from several factors that include:

Tennis leg

Healthcare providers call this strain tennis leg because it happens when the leg extends and the foot flexes. Tennis players are in this position when they serve and push themselves off into motion; however, it can happen in any sport, job, chore that involves the same movement. This type of muscle strain injury affects the gastrocnemius muscle.

Compartment syndrome

Compartment syndrome happens when pressure builds up inside a muscle. The pressure significantly reduces the flow of blood and oxygen. It can result from trauma like a fracture or strenuous exercise/activity.

Symptoms

Calf muscle issues can cause calf muscle:

  • Pain
  • Tightness
  • Stiffness
  • Pain may be sharp or dull
  • Pain can start as mild pain and progressively worsen.
  • Limited mobility
  • Limited range of motion
  • Muscle weakness
  • A bump, bulge, or lump in the back of the lower leg.
  • Tenderness
  • Bruising
  • General leg cramps are common and are more likely to happen as the body ages.
  • Healthcare professionals estimate around 75% of individuals over 50 have had leg cramps and pain.

Calf Health

To prevent and avoid problems with the calf muscles, individuals are recommended to:

Maintain a healthy diet and weight

  • Individuals that are overweight are more likely to pull or strain a muscle.
  • Excess pounds add pressure on the legs placing individuals at a higher risk of an injury.
  • If obese or overweight, talk to a healthcare professional about healthy weight.

Stay hydrated

  • Drink the proper amount of water and other fluids
  • This decreases the chance of causing a cramp.

Stretch and warm-up

  • Warmed-up calf muscles are less likely to stretch too far or tear.
  • Before engaging in physical activity at work or school, do a few warm-up stretches to increase flexibility.
  • When exercising, gradually increase the intensity.

Stay aware of medications.


Body Composition


Nutrients of Protein

Protein is necessary for all of the body’s physiological functions. Protein and amino acids are the building blocks of the muscle tissue in the body. The body’s muscles are a house, protein is the bricks, and the amino acids that form protein are the building blocks of muscle. The body manufactures various amino acids, but nine are essential amino acids – EAA because they are not made in the body. Individuals have to consume EAAs from food sources like:

  • Meat
  • Beans
  • Nuts
  • Soy

A diet that consists of mixed amino acids can help maximize muscle protein synthesis. Protein is essential in building muscle because amino acids help repair and maintain muscle tissue. After a strenuous activity or a workout, protein helps the body repair muscles that are slightly torn. To build a healthy body, the body needs to have the right amount of protein. Protein is an essential component of:

  • Muscle development
  • Bone density
  • Muscle mass
  • Lean tissue
References

Binstead JT, Munjal A, Varacallo M. Anatomy, Bony Pelvis, and Lower Limb, Calf. [Updated 2020 Aug 22]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2021 Jan-. . Accessed 6/4/2021.www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459362/ (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459362/)

Bright JM, Fields KB, Draper R. Ultrasound Diagnosis of Calf Injuries. Sports Health. 2017 Jul-Aug;9(4):352-355. . Accessed
6/4/2021.www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5496702/ (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5496702/)

Young G. Leg cramps. BMJ Clinical Evidence. 2015 May 13;2015:1113. . Accessed 6/4/2021.www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4429847/ (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4429847/)

Professional Scope of Practice *

The information herein on "Calf Soreness, Pain and Chiropractic Treatment" is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional or licensed physician and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make healthcare decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified healthcare professional.

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Specialties: Stopping the PAIN! We Specialize in Treating Severe Sciatica, Neck-Back Pain, Whiplash, Headaches, Knee Injuries, Sports Injuries, Dizziness, Poor Sleep, Arthritis. We use advanced proven therapies focused on optimal Mobility, Posture Control, Deep Health Instruction, Integrative & Functional Medicine, Functional Fitness, Chronic Degenerative Disorder Treatment Protocols, and Structural Conditioning. We also integrate Wellness Nutrition, Wellness Detoxification Protocols and Functional Medicine for chronic musculoskeletal disorders. We use effective "Patient Focused Diet Plans", Specialized Chiropractic Techniques, Mobility-Agility Training, Cross-Fit Protocols, and the Premier "PUSH Functional Fitness System" to treat patients suffering from various injuries and health problems. Ultimately, I am here to serve my patients and community as a Chiropractor passionately restoring functional life and facilitating living through increased mobility. Purpose & Passions: I am a Doctor of Chiropractic specializing in progressive cutting-edge therapies and functional rehabilitation procedures focused on clinical physiology, total health, functional strength training, functional medicine, and complete conditioning. We focus on restoring normal body functions after neck, back, spinal and soft tissue injuries. We use Specialized Chiropractic Protocols, Wellness Programs, Functional & Integrative Nutrition, Agility & Mobility Fitness Training and Cross-Fit Rehabilitation Systems for all ages. As an extension to dynamic rehabilitation, we too offer our patients, disabled veterans, athletes, young and elder a diverse portfolio of strength equipment, high-performance exercises and advanced agility treatment options. We have teamed up with the cities' premier doctors, therapist and trainers in order to provide high-level competitive athletes the options to push themselves to their highest abilities within our facilities. We've been blessed to use our methods with thousands of El Pasoans over the last 3 decades allowing us to restore our patients' health and fitness while implementing researched non-surgical methods and functional wellness programs. Our programs are natural and use the body's ability to achieve specific measured goals, rather than introducing harmful chemicals, controversial hormone replacement, un-wanted surgeries, or addictive drugs. We want you to live a functional life that is fulfilled with more energy, a positive attitude, better sleep, and less pain. Our goal is to ultimately empower our patients to maintain the healthiest way of living. With a bit of work, we can achieve optimal health together, no matter the age, ability or disability.