Calf Pain: Find Relief with Calf Supports
The calf is defined in the dictionary as the fleshy part at the back of the leg located between the knee and ankle. Calf pain can be due to a number of factors, but the most common cause of calf pain is a circulation problem, such as DVT or venous insufficiency, though muscle injury can also be the reason why you’re experiencing calf pain and swelling.
Causes of Calf Pain
Here are some primary contributing factors to the development of calf pain:
DVT CAN CAUSE CALF PAIN
DVT, or deep vein thrombosis, is a blood clot that develops in a deep vein, and frequently produces calf pain. A blood clot and its resulting leg aches, calf pain and swelling usually occur either when a vein has been damaged, or when circulation is extremely poor. People traveling on long trips – who are inactive for long periods of time – frequently develop blood clots and complain of calf pain, bringing about the nickname for DVT: “Economy Class Syndrome.” Please note: You’re especially at risk for DVT and its resulting calf pain if you’re overweight and/or over age 40.
INTERMITTENT CLAUDICATION CAN CAUSE CALF PAIN
When arteries harden and become blocked, circulation decreases and produces leg and calf pain. This condition, called intermittent claudication, occurs when your muscles are not receiving enough oxygen, and usually occurs during exercise or anytime you walk long distances. You will typically feel calf pain, but you can also experience painful symptoms in the feet, thighs, hips or buttocks. You can relieve symptoms like calf pain with rest, though they will recur when you try to walk or exercise again.
VENOUS INSUFFICIENCY CAN CAUSE CALF PAIN
Chronic venous insufficiency is the end stage result following deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and thrombophlebitis (blood clots in the legs), and frequently produces calf pain, severe leg swelling, varicose veins, skin discoloration and much more. It’s important to seek treatment for venous insufficiency early to prevent real damage to your legs and to help relieve symptoms like calf pain.
Many other factors and occurrences can lead to calf pain. It’s important to see your doctor about your calf pain to ensure the right course of treatment.
Stretch Your Calves to Avoid Calf Pain
Remember: Tight calf muscles or calf muscles that are not properly ‘warmed up’ before exercising can result in conditions like shin splints and calf pain.
The StretchRite® Trainer from FootSmart is a product designed to help you stretch your leg, foot and calf muscles to help you avoid muscle injury and related symptoms and conditions like calf pain, Achilles tendonitis and plantar fasciitis. Ergonomically designed handgrips allow you to stretch in stages and visually monitor your progress.
Treating Your Calf Pain
Calf pain is an indicator of poor circulation, and FootSmart sells a variety of products to help treat calf pain and improve circulation in the feet and legs:
- Wear support stockings and support socks to help increase circulation in the legs and treat your calf pain.
- Use leg elevators and/ or leg cushions to increase circulation – and also relieve your calf pain – while sitting and resting.
- Avoid cigarette smoking to improve circulation and ease calf pain.
- Keep your blood pressure under control to increase circulation and treat calf pain problems.
- Keep your cholesterol levels in the healthy range to help improve poor circulation and alleviate calf pain.
- Exercise on a regular and frequent basis to help improve poor circulation and relieve calf pain problems.
- Keep moving – avoid staying immobile for long periods of time – to help avoid poor circulation and resulting problems, like calf pain.
- Keep your feet and extremities warm to help maintain good circulation and avoid calf pain and other symptoms.
Ongoing calf pain or swelling, as indicated above, could signal the presence of a serious circulation problem, so it’s important to see your doctor to determine just why you are experiencing this calf pain on a regular basis.
Other treatments for calf pain include:
- The standard RICE remedy can help relieve calf pain: Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation.
- Taking over-the-counter medications like ibuprofin can also help ease the calf pain and swelling associated with a muscle injury.
- The FootSmart Calf Pain Support can also help ease calf pain due to aching, sore muscles and poor circulation by helping to warmyour lower leg, enhancing circulation and diminishing cramping and calf pain.
Information on foot, leg and lower body health conditions like calf pain provided by The Podiatry Institute, dedicated to advancing the standard of care in podiatric medicine and its effects on musculoskeletal health.