Jogging is a high-impact exercise that stresses muscles in the legs. It is not surprising that there may be some pain when you run, especially in calf muscles which tend to tighten during a jog. Cramping or strains are the most obvious problems when running or even after a workout. Whenever you have pain, the best course of action is to see a doctor. Injury while exercising can cause damage and only a doctor can effectively diagnose the extent. There are steps you can take to help prevent calf pain and deal with minor aches from jogging.
Calf Strains
A strain is stretching or tearing of the muscle fibers and tendons. Calf strains are possible with any exercise where you push off the ground with your toes. Jogging pushes off from the toes with every stride. The pain of a calf strain will come on suddenly. You may feel a pop in the back of your leg when the injury occurs. A calf strain will probably affect just one leg as opposed to pain in both legs at the same time. Rehabilitation of a calf strain requires icing and leg elevation. You should stay off the leg to allow the tissue to heal. Serious strains may require physical therapy. Do not work out again until your doctor gives you the okay, if diagnosed with a muscle strain in the calf.
Muscle Cramps
Muscle cramps are different then strains. The pain from a strain comes from tearing or stretching of the calf muscle. Cramping pain is an involuntary contraction of that muscle. Like a strain, a cramp will come on suddenly and will probably be intense. With a strain, you may still be able to move, but with a cramp, the muscle will be temporarily unable to function. Muscle cramps are the result of dehydration and fatigue. Once the cramp dissipates, the calf may feel sore and tired. Massaging the muscle may help to reduce the cramp and ease the pain. Chronic muscle cramps can be a symptom of a more serious medical condition.
Prevention
Ultimately, the most effective way to prevent calf pain, from either cramping or a strain, is to stretch the muscle before and after your jog. Stand with your hands pressed against a wall. Keep your arms straight. Place one foot forward and the other back. Bend the front leg slightly and shift your body weight to your arms. Keep the back leg straight and press the heel into the ground. Hold for 5 to 10 seconds. Repeat the exercise to stretch the other leg. When your run, drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration that may lead to calf cramps, especially if it is hot.
Considerations
Use common sense when it comes to pain. If while running, your calf begins to hurt, slow down to a walk. Overuse of the muscle may be causing your pain. If you find the intensity of the pain is increasing, you may need a few days off from exercise. Apply ice to the affected calf every two or three hours until the pain subsides. If swelling occurs, see your doctor before jogging again. Pain that becomes chronic, that you feel often, needs to be evaluated by a doctor. Repeated muscle cramps in the calf muscles, whether jogging or not, may be your body's way of telling you something is wrong. Chronic cramping can be a symptom of poor blood circulation or nerve compression.
