I’m working to overcome very tight and sore calves/soleus with a variety of modalities including yoga, elevation, massage and accupuncture and now wondering about compression. A couple of nine hour flights this week where I used compression socks as protection against DVT got me thinking - perhaps I should wear them regularly for a while anyway?
Advice/experience/help appreciated.
Try using a rolling pin or lacrosse ball to roll on it. It helps a lot!
Thanks for the tip - I should have said that one of the forms of massage I’m using is rolling a small medicine ball underneath the calf while I lie on the floor. I’m guessing this is pretty much what you’re suggesting? Certainly helps with hitting the trigger points.
pete
No, compression socks will not help.
I’ve been thru the same journey.
Roll, roll, roll, morning and night, every day, and in a week the tightness and perceived muscle strain will be a thing of the past.
Medicine ball could be too soft, as with a foam roller.
Try a can, tin, rolling pin, or Trigger Point Product roller
No need to stretch
I am not a doctor. But they help me with sore calves. CEP seem to be the best
Do you run in Newtons?
Nope, there is no way that compression hose will help flexibility.
Yes. In my experience, they do.
This is my theory:
Running etc. causes small micro tears in the muscles. The muscles then tighten up to protect themselves. They are more likey to do this if you have strained the area in the past, whether it’s due to scar tissue, adhesions, etc.
This can happen even if you are religiously strengthening/ stretching. For whatever reason, compression helps break this cycle for me.
Thanks guys. Appreciate the thoughts - from all perspectives
WRT the shoes - no, I don’t use Newtons. In very straightforward New Balance 1064 at the moment and might move to a flatter/lighter shoe when I’m running freely again. Bought the NB following extensive discussions with local running shop including a session at the park looking at gait etc. I have had Newtons in the past but this problem goes back before them. I tried the Newtons as a solution but as I have a reasonably good running style and am already “up” on my midfoot they are kind of redundant for me. I was ending up running on my toes which is fine for a sprint but not so good over distance as you guys would know.
FWIW - I feel like the stiffness/tightness comes from cycling and then gets worse when I run.
I’m at the stage now where I’m being sent for testing for Compartment Syndrome in my right calf/soleus. I’ve been suffering tightness and tears for around a year and I can’t get on top of it. It’s weird, I’ve done a HIM, Half Mara, a couple of Oly’s and numerous sprints in that time and I’ll break down at completely random times. I’ve got through both 21km runs this year with no problems at all (even setting a huge PB in the Half Mara), but I’ve broken down 5km into a training run.
I’m currently not running after tearing the soleus a couple of weeks ago and with less than two weeks until Noosa Oly (which I’ll be doing). I’m going to try compression socks for Noosa because I figure they probably won’t hurt me and they may just help me. The physio said to give it a try for the same reason.
Hopefully it’s not CS, but if it isn’t I’m not sure what to do to be able to keep running.
Your issue sounds like mine although I’m pretty sure I don’t have C/Syndrome. Had this checked out before as it can be pretty nasty (and means the end of running for a while at least) but my doctor doesn’t think so - and he’s pretty qualified in sports medicine.
I’m also goin to race at Noosa - will be only running up to that distance during next week for the first time in months though. Although I had higher ambitions, my plan now is just to finish the race without injury.
Your issue sounds like mine although I’m pretty sure I don’t have C/Syndrome. Had this checked out before as it can be pretty nasty (and means the end of running for a while at least) but my doctor doesn’t think so - and he’s pretty qualified in sports medicine.
I’m also goin to race at Noosa - will be only running up to that distance during next week for the first time in months though. Although I had higher ambitions, my plan now is just to finish the race without injury.
Haha. Me too.
I’m going to hit the swim and bike as hard as I can, then run as fast as I can as far as I can. It’ll either be a PB or a sad walk home.