Running or jogging is a great way to help strengthen your legs, improve your cardiac health, and even lose weight. However, pain in your calves while running can be rather debilitating and a possible sign of injury. Getting enough rest and taking time to properly stretch prior to and following running can help lower your risk of developing calf pain.
Sprains and Strains
Pain in your calf muscles during running can be the sign of an underlying injury, such as a muscle strain or a ligament sprain. According to the Mayo Clinic, a sprain is the stretching or tearing of a ligament, or the strong fiborus band that connects bone to bone. Common sprains involve your ankle joint, which can cause radiating pain throughout your leg and calf. A strain is a tearing or stretching of a muscle band and can also cause intense pain in the affected body part. Swelling and inflammation often accompany a strain or sprain, and can further limit your muscles' capabilities.
Other Causes
According to the Runner Rescue website, other possible causes of calf pain while running include fatigue, excessive running on elevation changes, normal muscle soreness, or even dehydration. Sudden or abrupt changes in elevation or distance can increase your risk of developing pain in your lower legs. Deficiencies in calcium, trace minerals and magnesium can also cause calf strains.
Treatment
Treatment of a sore or painful calf muscle depends on the cause of your pain. As the Mayo Clinic suggests, the most common treatment for a sprain or strain, is to place ice or a cooling compress on the injured muscle and elevate the limb above the level of your heart to reduce swelling. In severe cases of muscle tear or rupture, surgical repair may be needed.
Prevention
Proper stretching before and after your jog or running session can further limit your risk of calf injury. As the Runners Rescue site suggests, a simple calf stretch against a wall for a few minutes prior to and following your workout is a good practice to start for this purpose. Allowing for adequate periods of rest between workouts can also provide your body time to recover following your run.
Sprains and Strains
Pain in your calf muscles during running can be the sign of an underlying injury, such as a muscle strain or a ligament sprain. According to the Mayo Clinic, a sprain is the stretching or tearing of a ligament, or the strong fiborus band that connects bone to bone. Common sprains involve your ankle joint, which can cause radiating pain throughout your leg and calf. A strain is a tearing or stretching of a muscle band and can also cause intense pain in the affected body part. Swelling and inflammation often accompany a strain or sprain, and can further limit your muscles' capabilities.
Other Causes
According to the Runner Rescue website, other possible causes of calf pain while running include fatigue, excessive running on elevation changes, normal muscle soreness, or even dehydration. Sudden or abrupt changes in elevation or distance can increase your risk of developing pain in your lower legs. Deficiencies in calcium, trace minerals and magnesium can also cause calf strains.
Treatment
Treatment of a sore or painful calf muscle depends on the cause of your pain. As the Mayo Clinic suggests, the most common treatment for a sprain or strain, is to place ice or a cooling compress on the injured muscle and elevate the limb above the level of your heart to reduce swelling. In severe cases of muscle tear or rupture, surgical repair may be needed.
Prevention
Proper stretching before and after your jog or running session can further limit your risk of calf injury. As the Runners Rescue site suggests, a simple calf stretch against a wall for a few minutes prior to and following your workout is a good practice to start for this purpose. Allowing for adequate periods of rest between workouts can also provide your body time to recover following your run.
