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calf tightness

Calf tightness

Remedial Massage Preston for calf tightness

Preston Remedial Massage by Billy provides effective remedial massage treatment for tight calves to residents of Preston, Fairfield, Kingsbury, Northcote, Reservoir, Thornbury, Coburg and surrounding suburbs. Get pain relief and restore ankle movement today. Book online. HICAPS & EFTPOS available. Read more about tight calves and learn how remedial massage can help below.

What is calf tightness?

Pain in the calf (the back part of the lower leg) is usually caused by a cramp or muscle strain. However, sometimes calf pain can be a symptom of something more serious.

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Cramp

Calf pain is usually caused by cramp, when the muscles suddenly contract. This might happen if you have been doing new exercises, if you are dehydrated, or if you are deficient in some minerals. Cramps normally go away quite quickly by themselves.

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Calf strain

The calf is made up of 2 muscles called the gastrocnemius and the soleus. They meet at the Achilles tendon which is attached to the heel bone.

Overstretching or tearing either of these 2 calf muscles is known as a calf strain. Normally there is a sudden pain in the calf, and you may feel a pop, snap or tear. A calf strain may also mean you experience the following symptoms:

  • Sudden pain at the back of the leg.

  • The calf is stiff and weak when you walk.

  • You find it hard to rise up onto your toes.

  • You may have bruising on your calf after 1 or 2 days.

Other possible causes of calf pain include:

  • Achilles tendonitis in which the Achilles tendon becomes inflamed.

  • sciatica — when you have problems with the sciatic nerve which controls your lower leg

  • a bruise due to injury

  • diabetic peripheral neuropathy — when you have nerve damage that affects your feet, legs, arms and hand

  • deep vein thrombosis (DVT) — when a blood clot forms in the deep veins of the arm or leg. This is a medical emergency. See your doctor immediately if you think you might have DVT (see below)

what is calf tightness
calf tightness treatment

How is calf tightness treated?

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

If you have a calf strain or Achilles tendonitis, you should first of all use the ‘RICE’ method of treatment:

 

  • Rest the area.

  • Ice the area for 20 minutes, using a covered icepack or bag of frozen peas.

  • Compress the area with a bandage (but if the pain gets worse, loosen the bandage).

  • Elevate the lower leg by sitting or lying down (for example with pillows), so it is above the level of the heart.

  • Remedial Massage to decrease pain and restore ankle range of movement.
     

You can take anti-inflammatory medicines to relieve pain and bring down the swelling. After 48 hours, start stretching and strengthening the muscle, for example by doing heel raises and calf stretches. Don't return to full physical activity until you can move your ankle and knee properly, the pain and tenderness have gone, and the strength has fully returned to your calf.

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