Pain While Walking

BlindFaith
BlindFaith Posts: 45
edited September 25 in Fitness and Exercise
Having just read a topic where someone had pain in their shins while running; I thought I'd ask for some advice as well on a similar subject.

I don't run, but I do try and take walks whenever I can; but I've noticed that the backs of my calves ache really badly while I'm walking.
It feels like a burning, almost stabbing kind of pain that doesn't get any better after stopping to rest.

I've tried stretching, rubbing the muscles...anything I could think of but it still happens - anyone have any ideas?

I'd ask my Dr but given how useless they are, I'd rather figure it out on my own to be honest :laugh:

Should probably add that I do have M.E and fibromyalgia as well; but I've not had either of the two affect my calves before.

Replies

  • lutzsher
    lutzsher Posts: 1,153 Member
    What kind of shoes do you have, how old are they? This can make a BIG difference to your comfort and pain. Once I changed shoes i felt a lot better.
    I also try to start out slowly and work up to a brisk pace, you could also do some stretching before your walks along with a good warmup to help.
  • baisleac
    baisleac Posts: 2,019 Member
    want to watch this thread.
  • BlindFaith
    BlindFaith Posts: 45
    The shoes are running shoes, relatively new and this problem has only sprung up over the last week or two.

    I stretch before going for a walk, I take things pretty easy (by default, I use a stick to help so I can't go too fast anyway, lol) so this is just a bit puzzling to me.

    I thought it was a pulled or sprained muscle but surely that would hurt when I walk around normally and not just when it's more walking than I usually do?
  • ameeann
    ameeann Posts: 39 Member
    When your stretching, make sure you add some cardio in, like jumping jacks to raise your heart rate because your muscles will stretch a lot better!

    also your shoes do they have a little bit of a lift at the heel?

    Because I used to have the same problem and I found out (through trial and error) it was because my shoes were too flat!

    hope this helps :)
  • Timelessmissv
    Timelessmissv Posts: 18
    I used to have pain all the time as you get stronger it will go away a little patience and advil go a long way . I am still stiff till this day i am asking my body to do stuff i never did before so yeah it will protest , but if you can keep doing it even every other day it will make a huge difference in the long run .
  • scagneti
    scagneti Posts: 707 Member
    This happened to me a few years ago, and can still happen if I'm not careful. It happened a few times in dress shoes, so I bought some runners for relief and it happened in them, so then I started to panic.

    I know what you're talking about with doctors -- they're useless. I went to a doctor and he tried to put me on some blood thinners (at 30!) that I would have been on forever. What ended up working for me is finding the proper arch support for my shoes. That was it. A simple solution.

    That might not be what's wrong with you, but try out all your shoes to see if any of the shoes DON'T make your calves hurt (and i know what you're talking about -- they feel like they're on fire and you just want to cry because you're in so much pain). Hopefully it's a simple as finding the proper support for your arches.
  • pixietoes
    pixietoes Posts: 1,591 Member
    I have had similar problems with pains in my lower legs, although most recently the pain has been found on the exterior sides of my calves/shins. My trainer thinks it's a stride problem. While I'm learning to deal with that issue (changing one's stride takes some concerted effort) he has given me some supports to wear, a bit like Spanx for one's calves, they have made a big difference.

    FWIW, my stride issue has been landing too heavily on my heels and letting the front of my foot flop down. Learning to step more on the midfoot has been challenging but worthwhile.

    Good luck
  • fbmandy55
    fbmandy55 Posts: 5,263 Member
    This happens to me often. I tried stretching for at least 10 mins or doing yoga and I was still getting the pain in my calves about 7 mins into my walk. I have now figured if I PUSH through it and deal with the pain for about 5-10 minutes it completely goes away and I feel like I could run 10 miles, super relaxed and limber!

    Also, I think hydration has something to do with this. I found that out the hard way over St Pattys. I had to do the walk of shame about (5 blocks) back to my car the morning after and I was so dehydrated the I woke up with a terrible headache and my muscles were sore/stiff before i got out of bed. The walk about killed me!
  • BlindFaith
    BlindFaith Posts: 45
    I'm so sorry but I giggled so much over "the walk of shame" :laugh:
    I know what you mean about dehydration though - it makes me feel awful. I think I go through over 3L of water a day just so I don't feel that bad.

    Well, I've walked about in flat shoes and I don't get the pain, although flats make my ankles ache if I'm in them for too long (I can't win, really, lol)
    I'm actually looking for some new trainers/skate shoes/whichever are more comfortable so I'll see if it stops happening in new shoes - if it gets better then I'll know not to buy Puma shoes again!
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