Whether you do running just as an aerobic exercise or as a part of your fitness regime as a professional athlete, one common ailment you might have faced is calf and shin pain. Although it’s common to experience these sorts of pains, you necessarily need not neglect it, as it might take a serious turn if left untreated over a while. Possibilities for the complications include a stress fracture, skin discoloration, severe swelling and pain in the calves, problems while walking or moving, and more. While running compression sleeves might alleviate the pain levels to an extent, it’s crucial to get an assessment done to find out what exactly is causing pain in these two critical areas of the legs. Here are some common reasons why you might be struggling with calf and shin pain while running.
1. Shin Splints
Due to shins getting overstressed, you might experience pains in either the front or outside of the shin or on the inside of the lower leg above the leg. Pain levels might vary based on the activity done. Typically, it happens with muscle and bone tissues overworking due to continuous activity of the same kind. It even occurs because of sudden changes in the frequency, duration, and intensity of exercise done. To treat it, a healthcare practitioner might suggest using compression sleeves for shin splints to mitigate the pain levels.
2. Overtraining
Overtraining, as the name suggests, is training more than what you can potentially do. Usually, it occurs when you run for extended periods regularly, without allowing the body to get rested and recover duly. When done, it causes both calf and shin pain. Other than that, it might be the result of overdoing running, especially when you’re just getting started with it or getting back to your old running routine after returning from a break or an injury. Thus, experts suggest commencing your running practice with small-duration drills and progressing gradually as you feel comfortable doing so.
3. Dehydration
It’s quite normal to sway while running and forget to fulfill your body’s water requirements. When done, it can cause muscle cramps that lead to calf and shin pain. The science behind it is that you lose electrolytes while running. Due to this shortage, muscle cramps occur that ultimately lead to aggravated pain in your calves and shins. To prevent this scenario from taking place, ensure you drink enough water before, during, and after your run. You can even opt for electrolyte mixes or drinks to replenish the lost electrolytes in the body.
4. Varicose Veins
Those already having some symptoms of varicose veins need to follow extra precautions while running, as neglecting to do so might result in intensifying the existing problem of chronic venous insufficiency or varicose veins, resulting in more pain in calves and shins. Muscles contracting while running puts more pressure on the leg veins, making them get more bulged and painful. To prevent this from happening, avoid running on hard or uneven surfaces and prefer soft and shock-absorbing surfaces like grass or tracks made for running.
5. Deep Vein Thrombosis
Professional athletes, especially those who are inured to running marathons, have a slightly higher tendency to face the problem of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). This occurs due to them remaining steady after their major athletic events, leading to an increased risk of blood clot formation. Other probabilities for it include a microtrauma that might be a result of repetitive pressure being put that leads to an increased risk of blood clots. Athletes might experience thumping pain in the calf or thigh of one leg, specifically while standing or walking. This very pain might even resemble cramping or soreness that worsens while bending the foot.
Conclusion
No matter what exactly might cause calf and shin pain while running, it’s wise on your part to prefer wearing a pair of calf compression sleeves while running to minimize the risk of such discomfort. You can rely on brands like SNUG360, an eminent supplier of calf compression sleeves made using premium fabric, fused with 70% nylon & 30% spandex to offer extraordinary support while running.
