Forums General Calf pain

Tagged: 

Viewing 10 reply threads
  • Author
    Posts
    • #70499
      AvatarRosalie Timmerman

        I am looking for help with a reoccurring problem.  Recently I have been performing heavy farmers walk, tire flipping, and super yoke.  Whether in the same workout one after the other or as a separate workout with just one of the movements my calves get really tight after a few trips walking with heavy weights.  Once the tightness starts the extreme pain follows almost as if i tore my calf muscle behind my knee where it meets the hamstring.  My calves are usually sore for a couple of days then they are fine but I am unable to complete a workout pain-free.  Any help would be appreciated.  It’s affecting my workouts.  I haven’t been able to get anywhere near pushing my maximal weights because I end up having to stop early because of calf pain.

        Joey

      • #72881
        AvatarRosalie Timmerman

          I forgot to mention that I have to wear boots everyday for work and spend a significant amount of time sitting for my job.  Im pretty sure this doesn’t help.

        • #72882
          AvatarAnonymous

            Joey–
            Yes wearing boots and spending a significant amount of time sitting for work does come into play.
            Many times boots have a raised heel.
            Wearing a raised heel will systematically shorten your heel cord.
            Your heel is meant to be flat on the ground.
            Without
            this your heel cord shortens and you start to lose dorsiflexion, and
            the problem is solved mechanically by turning the foot out.
            With the heel raised the entire system is impacted.
            Knee bends and over extension occurs to compensate for the entire system being forward.
            The weight of your boots comes into play for every 500 grams on your feet =10lbs on your back.
            Sitting
            Here are a couple episodes that hit different aspects of sitting
            Why Sitting Wrecks Your Mad Hip Action

            If you wear body armor while sitting
            Pro Episode # 47 – Pro user Request Friday: Wear a gun and body armor? And sit? Save your spine.
            Episode 276: MobilityWod Google Talk: Desk Bound
            Episode 274: The Standing Athlete
            Episode 272: TJ Murphy Edition and Hamstring Stiffness
            Episode 251: High Skilled Sitting/Abdominal Bracing

            Episode 187: Death by Chair. How Much Do Actually Sit?
            Episode 91: Mobilize In the Position of Death by Chair

            Episode 88: Desk Athlete Hip Rescue
            Episode 15: You Must Defeat The Evil Chair Part 1
            Episode 15: You Must Defeat The Evil Chair Part 2

          • #72883
            AvatarJeff Parker

              Just to chime in – I’ve just recently begun working a laboratory analyst position that requires steel toed safety shoes. I ended up getting (I’d had them in the past, too) a pair of Carolina logger boots that hurt my calves – specifically the soleus just below the gastroc and lateral gastroc head – like I’d never felt pain before. 

              I ended up switching to a Keen steel toed shoe that does NOT have a high(er) heel and the pain has literally disappeared overnight.
              I know all of this may seem like common sense info – but I had no clue that the shoes I wore could impact me so much outside of work. As the night ended, the pain would actually grow MORE when I changed into street shoes…absolutely terrible. All of this made no sense to me initially since I’m in good shape by any standards and I didn’t think my shoes could be so brutal! 
              Thankfully, new shoes = no pain. Hopefully you’ll find some sense of relief if you switch footwear, too. Good luck! 
            • #72509
              AvatarRosalie Timmerman

                Thank you Kaitlin!  Yes you correct I do wear body armor as well.  When I am on a call-out the body armor is much heavier.  I dont have much of a choice on boot selection for duty but off duty all my shoes are completely flat and now I see why I have the issues I have when I train. 

                I will put your ideas to work asap.  Would you suggest banded heel cord for my shorten heel cords?

              • #72506
                AvatarRosalie Timmerman

                  Shane thanks for chiming in as well.  Unfortunately, I dont have a lot of freedom on selections for boots on duty.

                • #72008
                  AvatarAnonymous

                    Joey–
                    Here are a few different episodes that hit ways to address the heel cord.
                    Hitting different places/aspects will help to clean everything up.
                    See which hits the aspects of your restrictions and where you see the most improvement.

                    Pro Episode # 44: The Last 25% of Your Ankle Restriction (Snatches and Pistols here we come!)
                    Episode 350: Tack And Floss: Heel Cord Edition
                    Episode 337: Long Ruck Feet Or Ultra Marathon Feet?
                    Episode 319: Protect Those Heel Cords Man!
                    Episode 285: Sliding Surfaces; Ankle Range of Motion Case Study Part 1
                    Episode 285: Sliding Surfaces; Ankle Range of Motion Case Study Part 2
                    Episode 258: Ankle Mobility-Self Mulligan Technique
                    Episode 237: Heel Cord Love

                    Episode 167: Unglue That Heel Cord
                    Episode 54: Pinchy Ankles and Weak Feet
                    Episode 30: Partner Heelcords–Safeword? Part 1
                    Episode 30: Partner Heelcords–Safeword? Part 2
                    Episode 25: Heel Cords of a Cheetah, Achilles Well Being
                    Yes, you may have restrictions options for boots for work. In these situations it is picking the best option of what is available within your circumstances. When you are more aware of the impact you can stay on top of the situation and it will be more maintenance type work. Undoing what happens at work.
                    SJSU women’s swim team does an exceptional job of undoing the repercussions of travel to a meet or event by taking time as soon as the arrive to start addressing needed areas. And addressing the areas needed each day following until they are normal again.
                  • #73013
                    AvatarJennifer Gaynair
                    Participant

                      Sorry to hijack, but I have a real quick question regarding boots. I currently work on my feet all day, lifting etc. Would anyone recommend boots even if they have a 0 drop? Or should I avoid them and just find a sturdy pair of waterproof trainers etc. Thanks

                    • #73014
                      AvatarJennifer Gaynair
                      Participant

                        Sorry to hijack, but I have a real quick question regarding boots. I currently work on my feet all day, lifting etc. Would anyone recommend boots even if they have a 0 drop? Or should I avoid them and just find a sturdy pair of waterproof trainers etc. Thanks

                      • #73015
                        AvatarAnonymous

                          Christy–
                          If you need to wear boots for work find the best option available.
                          There may not be a pair available that fits all of the criteria you are looking for. If this is the case get the best available option.
                          Then counter the effects of wearing boots all day. Address the areas
                          that are impacted by wearing boots all day and undo the impact. Each day pick 3 things to address. Keep it to 3 a day.

                          Depending on the type of boot you need these may be an option
                          http://www.bellevilleboot.com/shop/inde … etail&p=97
                          I’ve heard Nike has good options
                          http://www.uspatriottactical.com/shop-by-brand/nike/military-combat-boots.html?gclid=CP6Xlv2SqboCFcid4AodhkMAIA

                        • #73024
                          AvatarJennifer Gaynair
                          Participant

                            Hi Kaitlin.

                             Thanks for such a speedy reply. Sorry my original post was ambiguous. I don’t have to wear boots. However, I work in a butcher shop, and so it can be quite dirty work, especially for my shoes. I figured a pair of boots would be a good bet since they are rugged, and the ones I’d be considering would be waterproof. However, I hadn’t realised boots had a such a derogatory effect on my mobility, so I’ll stick to trainers. Are there any you’d personally recommend that are sturdy. I love my innov 8 trainers, but the blue colour and very breathable material just don’t seem practical. 
                            Thanks again. 
                        Viewing 10 reply threads
                        • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.