Calf Knots always in the inside calf muscles (Read 2304 times)

I get repeated knots in the inside of calves, never in the middle, or the outside. Loosing my patience with the whole deal. Could it be not enough arch support? I used to alternate wearing stability shoes and a more natural shoe. (I really hate the stiff stability shoe, but I think I was doing better with that plan. Just wondering if running is in general harder on the inside shoes or is this odd?

Cash,

I'm SO VERY TIRED of it I went bike shopping today and going back again tomorrow. Only thing is biking seems like a hassle, and will likely annoy the hell out of my spouse.

 

 

Should I try calf supports like Zensah's?

Bugs, first off, it's nice to hear from you, been a while since we talked.  As far as knots in your calfs, the best thing is a product called "the Stick".  Google it.  You will aslo find it in most running store.  It works great for knots in your muscles.  I brought mine to my last marathon and was the most popular person at the finish line. 

Well first off, that sounds like the soleus muscle. Do you do soleus stretches?

 I agree

 

You need to do both types of stretching for the calf the straight knee and the bent knee.

 

My calf esp the soleous does tend to get tight even injured it last year

Knots, and it is not soleus, it is the inside of my calf muscles only. It starts there, and then tendons to the knee get knotted up, sore next. I get graston to get rid of it as the knots (and scar tissue) is very difficult to do on my own but would like it to stop coming. It might be from a sudden transition from TM to pavement with the winter thaw. I am also very good at foam rolling after a TM run (since I'm at home) and don't even stretch after a regular run. That and I went swimming on a recovery day, and I really tense my calves swimming and shouldn't have done that. Just makes me wonder if I'm not using all of my calf muscles, since only the inside gets hurt.

I only got calf cramps from swimming, before yesterday -- so my deduction is that swimming works the calves. But I've nothing else remotely helpful to contribute here; sorry.

new member, my first post, but wow can I relate!

 

I have similar problems with knots in my calves. Most of them are in the inside calf muscle, but I have them throughout. Yesterday I massaged out at least 3 knots per leg. They tend to go away after a good massage (self, or from the girlfriend when I'm lucky), and stretching. But it sure does take a lot of stretching. If I don't stretch for at least 10 minutes after running, I feel my calves tighten right up as I cool down.

 

All that being said, these calf knots are new to me, and really started shortly after I switched to a midsole striking stride after reading born to run. Not sure how these forums feel about the book / barefoot running, but I enjoy it, even if it causes some calf pain.

 

 I also agree with the swimming comment. My calves tighten up, sometimes cramp, when swimming after a long run and pointing my toes. Eventually works itself out with proper hydration and stretching.

 

One culprit that people often miss is the shoes they're wearing when they're not running.  Anything with a raised heel will tend to leave you with shorter, tighter calves.  Even the little bit of lift in mens dress shoes can do it.  Womens shoes can be far worse. 

 

It's also more common that people experience calf issues in the spring, because that's when they finally get their flat shoes (flip flops, etc) out and stop wearing boots with raised heels.  At least that's what I remember hearing from an orthopedic doc.

 

Some people swear by using a slant board to stretch the calves and gradually get them longer and looser.