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Home remedies for calf pain
The pain in the calves begins suddenly, after certain burdens, are light or very massive, chronic, boring, stinging or dull. Depending on the causes, the symptoms can be felt at rest, when walking, running or climbing stairs.
contents
- Causes of calf pain
- Circulatory disorders
- inflammation
- Spinal disorders
- Mineral deficiency: sodium, potassium, magnesium
- Home remedy for spasmodic calf pain
- Home remedies when the veins are affected
- General tips against calf pain
Causes of calf pain
Most of the causes are in the area of the muscles. Overuse or overwork and injuries, especially in connection with sports activities such as torn muscle fibers or muscle strain are among the common causes of pain in the calves. Calf pain is especially known as sore muscles after unusual or too long loads.
There are often calf pain associated with overuse. Different home remedies promise relief here. (Image: Paolese / fotolia.com) Causes of pain in the calves are circulatory disorders, inflammation of the leg veins, dysfunction of the venous valves, varicose veins and spinal damage with constriction of the nerve root and a chronic louse syndrome. But also diseases such as Lyme disease or leptospirosis and a lack of sodium, potassium or magnesium can cause calf pain.
Circulatory disorders
Pain that disappears at rest, but immediately occur when walking or running again, suggest circulatory disorders. These can arise, for example, because of deposits that impede the permeability of the vessels (arteriosclerosis). The pains appear because the vessels of the required blood flow performance can no longer meet. Affected suffer from the vascular calcification in the calf usually also under vascular deposits in the heart, which brings with it an increased risk of heart attack.
A dangerous disease is the deep vein thrombosis, also called phlebothrombosis, in which the calf pain is very massive and usually occur quite acutely. The doctor often prescribes immediate bed rest, as it can solve a so-called thrombus (blood clot), which is transported with the bloodstream to the lungs and there may trigger a life-threatening pulmonary embolism.
inflammation
Inflammations in the area of the superficial veins sometimes cause severe calf pain. The affected leg is red, swollen and hot. This disease is called thrombophlebitis. In the abacterial form, a blood clot forms, as a result of which migrating to this place leukocytes (white blood cells) trigger inflammation. Bacterial inflammation, on the other hand, is the result of minor injuries and subsequent spread of the bacteria. In both forms, sufferers must necessarily go to the doctor.
Pain in the calf may be related to diseases of the lumbar spine. (Image: artstudio_pro / fotolia.com) Spinal disorders
Spinal disorders, especially in the lumbar spine, can also sometimes cause calf pain when there is nerve compression (for example, triggered by a herniated disc). Degenerative spiral canal narrowing can also trigger pain in the calf area.
The lodge syndrome / compartment syndrome is one of the circulatory disorders - a single muscle group. The functional unit of a muscle is called the compartment or lodge. This is covered by a fascia that rests like a tight skin. If, for example, the muscle swells as a result of a hematoma, the tissue pressure in the compartment increases, disrupting microcirculation and causing muscle and nerves to be undersupplied. This occurs acutely, for example, as a result of a broken bone or a bruise, the calf pain is very strong and the whole is a medical emergency dar. The chronic louse syndrome are almost exclusively athletes affected.
Mineral deficiency: sodium, potassium, magnesium
A lack of the minerals sodium, potassium or magnesium can lead to calf pain. Sodium and potassium are important for the fluid balance and function of nerves and muscles. Magnesium is also needed for nerve and muscle function and is involved in energy metabolism. However, minerals should not be taken without medical clarification. Here, if necessary, the creation of a blood picture is necessary.
Home remedy for spasmodic calf pain
The mentioned diseases leading to calf pain belong in the hands of a doctor. For mild pain, however, home remedies can be used. Especially overloading or poor posture cause complaints that respond to simple home remedies quite well.
To prevent pain in the calves, athletes should, for example, eat a banana or a few almonds. (Image: airborne77 / fotolia.com) After physical exertion, the pain often occurs in the form of calf cramps. Drinking isotonic drinks or an apple juice spritzer can prevent this. A banana before the sport serves as a preventive measure, because it is particularly rich in magnesium. Here are also almonds and sunflower seeds to mention, which are particularly rich in minerals and therefore can prevent calf pain. Often the warm-up is recommended in the form of stretching and stretching exercises, which should be done before the sport, so as not to let any complaints occur.
Pain in the calves can also be caused by a kind of "hyperacidity". A healthy, balanced base-rich food, which consciously reduces the amount of animals and, above all, eats fresh fruits and vegetables, counteracts this. For a long time, basic tablets and base powders also help to establish a "healthy" ratio in the acid-base balance. However, these base agents are not suitable for long-term use and should only be taken for a period of time or as needed.
A very soothing home remedy for spasms in the calves is rubbing with some cold pressed oil, mixed with a few drops of lavender or rosemary essential oil. This relaxes the entire calf muscles. Lavender and / or rosemary as a tea can support the effect. However, rosemary should never be used by sufferers who suffer from high blood pressure, as the medicinal plant can increase blood pressure.
Do not help all home remedies, so the walk to the doctor is required. Possibly underlying diseases or even a lack of minerals can be detected and then treated specifically.
Creams and ointments with horse chestnut strengthen the veins and promote blood circulation. (Image: Comugnero Silvana / fotolia.com) Home remedies when the veins are affected
A disease of the veins belongs in any case to the doctor. However, there are some home remedies that can be used in addition. Worth mentioning here is the horse chestnut. This, applied in the form of a tea strengthens the veins and works against calf pain caused by venous insufficiency or varicose veins. The horse chestnut is also contained in many ointments and gels, which - gently massaged into the calves - can bring relief. Especially when prolonged standing or sitting can not be avoided, the external application of horse chestnut is used for prevention, but also for aftercare.
Another home remedy for calf pain is the stone clover. This herb has a vein-strengthening, antithrombotic and decongestant. Stone clover is also found in some venous ointments, but can also be consumed as tea. The third herb in the league is comfrey, which is contained in various venous ointments for external use. The mentioned teas should not be drunk continuously for more than six weeks. Thereafter, a break of at least two weeks is required.
Cool compresses or a wrap for the calf with healing earth can relieve the pain. From healing earth, a pulp is made with a little cold water. Placed on a sheet, this folded and then placed around the affected calf, is a good home remedy that relieves the pain.
Even normal lean quark serves well for a calf wrap. The quark is placed on a cloth, the ends are wrapped and the cloth is then wrapped around the calf. It cools and relieves the venous system.
Elevating the legs promotes the venous return and can thus relieve the pain. (Image: Andrey Popov / fotolia.com) For calf pain, it is important to raise your legs as often as possible. Special venous pillows are recommended for this purpose. But also laying down on the floor, in which the legs are leaned against the wall or the door frame, for example, relieves the legs. The blood can flow back and the vein pump, which may not work as well, will be relieved.
In general, there are vein problems due to venous weakness, so care should be taken to avoid prolonged sitting and standing. However, if this is not possible, wearing suitable support stockings will help. Especially during a flight this is recommended.
Pain in the calves due to venous problems means avoiding heat. A walk to the sauna or the spa should be discussed in advance with the attending physician. Massaging the calves is also contraindicated. Rubbing the calves with appropriate venous ointment should be gentle.
General tips against calf pain
For aching calves, pay attention to good footwear. Especially when longer distances have to be covered on foot, a well-cushioned sole is very important. In summer, walking barefoot helps. If the discomfort occurs after jogging, then perhaps the running shoe is not the right one or the running technique is not suitable. Helpful here is a running analysis, which offer some sports shops. Also the clothing during sports activities plays a not insignificant role. For example, the legs should always be kept warm and a pair of shorts is only suitable for very warm temperatures. (sw, nr, updated on 6.9.2017)