muscle pain

Pain in the calf muscle can range from a mild discomfort that affects daily activities to severe pain that is present even when not walking. You can damage calf muscles by overstraining during exercise, experiencing an injury from an accident, or from a variety of health conditions.

The good news is that most of the causes of calf pain are easily treatable with home remedies and over-the counter pain relief plus tablets and pain relief gels that are applied topically.

In most cases, calf pain can easily be prevented. In this article, you will learn the causes and treatment of calf pain and, most importantly, how to prevent calf muscle pain.

What Is Calf Pain?

Pain in the calf (the back part of the lower leg) is typically caused by a muscle strain or cramp. However, in some cases, calf pain can be a symptom of a serious health condition.

What Causes Calf Pain?

Cramp

Calf pain is often caused by cramps (when the muscles contract intensely and suddenly). This may happen if you are doing new activities or exercise, if you are deficient in some minerals, or if you are dehydrated. Cramps usually go away quickly by themselves.

Calf strain

The calf is made up of 2 muscles called the soleus and gastrocnemius. Tearing or overstretching either of these 2 calf muscles is referred to as a calf strain. Usually, there is a sudden and intense pain in the calf muscle, you may ever feel a tear, snap, or pop.

You may experience the following symptoms if you have a calf strain:

  • Intense and sudden pain at the back of the leg.
  • The calf is painful, weak, and stiff when you walk.
  • It’s hard to stand up on your toes.
  • Bruising may appear on your calf 1 or 2 days later.

Other possible causes of calf pain include:

  • Achilles tendonitis (inflamed Achilles tendon)
  • Sciatica (nerve pain in your lower leg)
  • A bruise from an injury
  • Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (nerve damage that affects your hand, arms, legs, and feet)
  • Deep vein thrombosis (a blood clot that forms in the deep veins leg which is a serious life-threatening condition).

How to Treat Calf Muscle Pain

Home Remedies

If you have a calf muscle cramp, gently massage and stretch the muscle.

If you have Achilles tendonitis or a calf strain, the ‘RICE’ method of treatment can be very effective:

  • Rest your leg.
  • Ice your calf muscle for 20 minutes
  • Compress the area by wrapping it securely with an ACE bandage (but if the pain worsens, loosen it immediately).
  • Elevate your lower leg with pillows by lying or sitting down so it is above the level of the heart.

Over-the-counter Medication

You can take anti-inflammatory tablets or use back pain gel such as Omnigel to bring down the swelling. After 48 hours, start strengthening and stretching the muscle by doing heel raises and calf stretches, for example. Don't return to your full exercise routine until you can move your knees and ankle properly, the tenderness and pain have disappeared, and the strength has completely returned to your calf.

For calf muscle pain relief, Nurofen, Advil dual action pain control tablets, and Deep Relief Gel, can be very effective at relaxing calf muscles and reducing inflammation.

How to Prevent Calf Muscle Pain

Calf muscle strain can be prevented by always stretching before and after exercise to strengthen and repair and strengthen. Build up your muscle strength gradually when doing new exercises, do it slowly to prevent straining the calf muscles.

Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water to avoid cramps. Magnesium supplements are also effective at preventing cramps in some people.

If you have diabetes, keep your blood sugar levels at a safe level to prevent diabetic neuropathy.

Find the most effective OTC medications and treatments for muscle pain at Online4Pharmacy. Shop online for quick delivery right to your front door.