Calf Muscle Pain. When the calf muscles are stretched beyond its normal length, it results in injuring some calf muscle tissue. Calf muscles tears can range from mild (minor discomfort) to extremely serious (full tear of the muscle tissue). This article will discuss calf stretches and strengthening exercises that can help you maintain a healthy and strong calf.
First of all, calf stretching exercises are important to help relieve soreness
Some calf stretching exercises include standing calf raises, standing side-to-side raises, seated calf raises and walking calf raises. To do any of these exercises correctly, you must stretch your calf muscles with an underhand or standing hold. This holds the muscle tissue and decreases strain on the ligaments and tendons that may be strained during a stretching exercise.
A good way to strengthen the calf is by performing the standing calf raise. You should lie on your back with your knees bent and your hands resting on the floor. Now slowly bend your knees to the left and straighten the legs. Hold for a few seconds and repeat with the right leg.
Another simple calf stretch is to stand with your feet apart. Slowly raise your heels up to the chest and then slowly lower them back down to the floor. Hold this position for a few seconds before returning back to standing.
If you find that you are having difficulty doing the standing exercise, you may want to try using a stability ball or something similar as a guide when you do your stretches. Another great exercise is the seated calf raise. You will need a stability ball to perform this exercise because you will have to sit in a chair with your feet placed a few inches away from your chest.
Begin by placing your heels on the ball and your weight resting on the ball while you bend over a few times. Move your heels slowly until they are just touching the floor and then bring them back up to the starting position. Repeat this for the next several times.
Standing side to side raises are another good exercise for the calves. Simply begin by lying on your back with one leg in front of the other and placing your heels on the ball and lifting your feet off the ball slowly. while keeping your back straight.
Another good way to warm up the calves before a workout is by using a push-up
After a good warm up, you can begin the work out by doing ten push-ups on each of your toes.
Another good way to warm up the calves is by doing a leg curl before and after your workout. This is a great way to increase strength and flexibility in the calf muscles without stressing the knee cap.
Stretching is also a good way to increase flexibility. Try doing a couple sets of ten exercises, then switch to five sets of twenty and so on. This stretches your entire leg, making it more prone to injury.
Yoga postures and stretches are also very beneficial. Yoga also strengthens the muscle tissues and increases circulation. Yoga also helps increase flexibility in the leg and improves your posture, which may help prevent any ankle injuries.
Stretching before you workout is also a good way to reduce the risk of injury. Stretching before a workout can relieve the strain on the muscles in your calves.
If you are experiencing pain in your calf or leg, it is a good idea to first try a good calf stretches. If the pain doesn't go away, and if the condition continues, you should consult a health care professional. Your doctor will be able to recommend the best treatment.