Calf Pain
There are two muscles that make up the calf complex or calf muscles, the Gastrocnemius and the Soleus. These muscles form the Achilles tendon that attach to the heel bone. These muscles are located on the back of the low leg and allow you to go up on your tip toes. Wearing high heels, or participating in activities where you are up and down on the ball of your foot can lead to the formation of knot spots. Muscle knots in the calf muscle can cause heel pain or pain in the bottom of the foot. Those who suffer from plantar fasciitis often find relief by working on the knot spots in the calf muscles.
Causes
Wearing High Heels: Wearing high heels forces the calf muscles into a shortened, contracted position, making them highly susceptible to developing muscle knots. These tight knots, especially in the gastrocnemius and soleus, can then cause aching pain in the calves and even refer discomfort up into the Achilles tendon or down into the foot. Over time, this chronic shortening and muscle knot formation can lead to persistent calf pain, Achilles tightness, and general foot discomfort when not wearing heels.
Walking or Running on Uneven Surfaces: Walking or running on uneven surfaces demands constant micro-adjustments from your calf muscles to maintain balance, leading to their overuse and a higher likelihood of developing muscle knots. These muscle knots in overworked calf muscles can then contribute to instability, making you more prone to ankle rolls or strains, and causing sharp or dull pain in the lower leg. The constant stress on already knotted muscles from uneven terrain exacerbates calf soreness, shin splints, and overall leg fatigue.
Worn Out Shoes: Worn-out shoes offer inadequate support and cushioning, forcing the calf muscles to work harder to stabilize the foot and absorb impact, thereby increasing the risk of forming painful muscle knots. These muscle knots in the calves can then lead to foot pain, arch pain, or even plantar fasciitis as the calves pull on connecting tissues and don’t properly support the foot. The lack of proper footwear support means the calf muscles are constantly under stress, perpetuating the cycle of muscle knot formation and chronic lower leg pain.
Hyperpronation: Hyperpronation, or excessive inward rolling of the foot, places unnatural strain on the calf muscles, particularly the soleus, making them highly prone to developing restrictive muscle knots. These muscle knots in the overstretched and overworked calf muscles can then cause a deep ache along the inside of the lower leg and contribute to shin splints and plantar fasciitis due to altered biomechanics. This can also lead to chronic calf tightness and persistent lower leg pain, often felt as a nagging ache after activity.
I Feel
Pain on the Bottom of the Foot
Pain on the bottom of the foot is the best way to describe muscle knots in the flexor digitorum longus. Pain or discomfort can also be felt along the back and side of the lower leg. This pain is often felt as a dull throb or sharp discomfort, especially during activities that involve pushing off the toes, such as walking or running. While the actual knot is in the calf, the referred pain to the sole can be pretty debilitating.
I Feel
Achilles Tendonitis
Achilles tendonitis usually feels like a nagging ache or stiffness right in the back of your heel, and you might feel it creeping up into your lower calf too. It’s often at its worst first thing in the morning or after you’ve been sitting still for a bit, and then it can flare up when you start moving around, especially if you’re doing something like running or even just walking a lot. The spot itself might feel ouchy if you poke it, and it could even be a little puffy or warm to the touch. Some people also describe it as a burning sensation or as if the tendon feels tight.
Shin Splints
Those usually feel like a dull, aching pain along the front or inner side of your lower leg, specifically along the shin bone. It often starts gradually and can feel like a general soreness or tenderness in that area. You might notice it more during or after exercise, especially high-impact activities like running or jumping. Sometimes the pain can be sharp or throbbing, and the area along your shin might even feel a little swollen or bumpy to the touch. It’s that kind of pain that can make you want to stop what you’re doing.
I Feel
Calf Cramps
Calf cramps feel like a sudden, intense tightening and pain in your calf muscle, almost like it’s seized up into a hard knot. It can be really uncomfortable and even quite sharp while it’s happening, making it difficult to move your foot or ankle. The cramp usually lasts anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes, and afterwards, your calf muscle might feel tender and sore for a while.
Night Time Calf Cramps
There is nothing worse than being woken up in the middle of the night with calf cramps. Calf cramps feel like a sudden, intense tightening and pain in your calf muscle, almost like it’s seized up into a hard knot. It can be really uncomfortable and even quite sharp while it’s happening, making it difficult to move your foot or flex your ankle. The cramp usually lasts anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes, and afterwards, your calf muscle might feel tender and sore for a while.
I Feel
Calf Cramps
Calf cramps feel like a sudden, intense tightening and pain in your calf muscle, almost like it’s seized up into a hard knot. It can be really uncomfortable and even quite sharp while it’s happening, making it difficult to move your foot or ankle. The cramp usually lasts anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes, and afterwards, your calf muscle might feel tender and sore for a while.
I Feel
Calf Cramps
Calf cramps feel like a sudden, intense tightening and pain in your calf muscle, almost like it’s seized up into a hard knot. It can be really uncomfortable and even quite sharp while it’s happening, making it difficult to move your foot or ankle. The cramp usually lasts anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes, and afterwards, your calf muscle might feel tender and sore for a while.
I Feel
Achilles Tendonitis
Achilles tendonitis usually feels like a nagging ache or stiffness right in the back of your heel, and you might feel it creeping up into your lower calf too. It’s often at its worst first thing in the morning or after you’ve been sitting still for a bit, and then it can flare up when you start moving around, especially if you’re doing something like running or even just walking a lot. The spot itself might feel ouchy if you poke it, and it could even be a little puffy or warm to the touch. Some people also describe it as a burning sensation or as if the tendon feels tight.
Shin Splints
Those usually feel like a dull, aching pain along the front or inner side of your lower leg, specifically along the shin bone. It often starts gradually and can feel like a general soreness or tenderness in that area. You might notice it more during or after exercise, especially high-impact activities like running or jumping. Sometimes the pain can be sharp or throbbing, and the area along your shin might even feel a little swollen or bumpy to the touch. It’s that kind of pain that can make you want to stop what you’re doing.
Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis typically feels like a sharp, stabbing pain in the heel, especially with your first steps in the morning or after a period of rest. It can also feel like a deep ache along the arch of your foot. The pain often improves with a bit of walking but can return or worsen after prolonged standing, walking, or exercise. Plantar Fasciitis can also be described as feeling like they’re stepping on a pebble or having a tight band across the bottom of their foot.
I Feel
Achilles Tendonitis
Achilles tendonitis usually feels like a nagging ache or stiffness right in the back of your heel, and you might feel it creeping up into your lower calf too. It’s often at its worst first thing in the morning or after you’ve been sitting still for a bit, and then it can flare up when you start moving around, especially if you’re doing something like running or even just walking a lot. The spot itself might feel ouchy if you poke it, and it could even be a little puffy or warm to the touch. Some people also describe it as a burning sensation or as if the tendon feels tight.
Shin Splints
Those usually feel like a dull, aching pain along the front or inner side of your lower leg, specifically along the shin bone. It often starts gradually and can feel like a general soreness or tenderness in that area. You might notice it more during or after exercise, especially high-impact activities like running or jumping. Sometimes the pain can be sharp or throbbing, and the area along your shin might even feel a little swollen or bumpy to the touch. It’s that kind of pain that can make you want to stop what you’re doing.
Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis typically feels like a sharp, stabbing pain in the heel, especially with your first steps in the morning or after a period of rest. It can also feel like a deep ache along the arch of your foot. The pain often improves with a bit of walking but can return or worsen after prolonged standing, walking, or exercise. Plantar Fasciitis can also be described as feeling like they’re stepping on a pebble or having a tight band across the bottom of their foot.
I Feel
Calf Pain
Calf pain can feel like a wide range of symptoms, depending on the underlying cause. It could be a dull ache or general soreness if you’ve just worked out or been on your feet for a long time. Sometimes it’s a sharp, sudden pain if you’ve pulled a muscle or gotten a cramp. It might feel tight and constricted, especially during a cramp. If it’s something like a strain, it could be tender to the touch and hurt when you flex your foot or walk. You might also notice a burning sensation or a feeling of heaviness in your calf. Any uncomfortable or painful sensation in the back of your lower leg could be described as calf pain.
