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steve collins the joint nundah northgate strength and conditioning calf pain in runners loving local brisbane physiotherapist physiotherapyStrength and Conditioning Advice with Steve Collins from The Joint Nundah

Calf Pain in Runners

While gyms were closed, a number of people took up running, doing couch to 5km programs or completing virtual marathons to escape the indoors.

If you’re new to running, or if you have increased your running, you may be experiencing something that is all too common – calf pain.

Do your calf (lower leg) muscles ALWAYS feel tight and uncomfortable? Despite all of your stretching, do you STILL feel like your calves are stopping you from achieving your time or distance?

If any of this sounds familiar, try this test to measure your calf length:

  1. Stand facing a wall with your heel on the ground. Bend your knee forward, over your toes and touch the wall with your knee, without lifting your heel.
  2. Measure the distance from your big toe to the wall. Around 10-12 cm is normal, so in this case, it’s likely that stretching isn’t going to help with your ongoing calf woes.

The solution usually lies in looking more closely at your running program and building some capacity in your calves. Adjustments to your program can help with the pain and improve your performance.

The Joint | 9/1220 Sandgate Rd, Nundah and 1/62 Crockford St, Northgate | Ph: 3191 4455
www.thejointnundah.com | www.facebook.com/thejointnundah