Hi All,
I'm looking for some advice on how to improve flexibility in a very tight calf. This has been a problem for me for a long time and I'm pretty much certain that it's one of the causes of my persistent achilles tendonitis (I've had AT in both legs, but it's always been worse in the one with the tight calf).
When I run, my left calf gets stiff and sore very quickly, and will often stay sore for 2-3 days afterwards. I don't get the same problem in my right calf, which is what tells me that this is more than normal tiredness. The tender area is in the middle of the calf, beginning just below the thicker part (soleus?) of the muscle. When I massage it I can find the tender area very easily and to my (admittedly inexpert) fingers it feels thicker and less pliable than the same spot on the other leg.
I'd appreciate any tips on how to strengthen the calf and to improve flexibility. I'm reluctant to do too much stretching, partly because it hasn't worked in the past and partly because I'm concerned about straining my achilles tendons. At the moment, this problem is the main thing holding back my running. When my calf is stiff it tends to wreck my form and I'm worried about causing other problems by landing badly. I'm having to take 2-3 days off after each run to let the soreness subside.
Any thoughts?
I'm looking for some advice on how to improve flexibility in a very tight calf. This has been a problem for me for a long time and I'm pretty much certain that it's one of the causes of my persistent achilles tendonitis (I've had AT in both legs, but it's always been worse in the one with the tight calf).
When I run, my left calf gets stiff and sore very quickly, and will often stay sore for 2-3 days afterwards. I don't get the same problem in my right calf, which is what tells me that this is more than normal tiredness. The tender area is in the middle of the calf, beginning just below the thicker part (soleus?) of the muscle. When I massage it I can find the tender area very easily and to my (admittedly inexpert) fingers it feels thicker and less pliable than the same spot on the other leg.
I'd appreciate any tips on how to strengthen the calf and to improve flexibility. I'm reluctant to do too much stretching, partly because it hasn't worked in the past and partly because I'm concerned about straining my achilles tendons. At the moment, this problem is the main thing holding back my running. When my calf is stiff it tends to wreck my form and I'm worried about causing other problems by landing badly. I'm having to take 2-3 days off after each run to let the soreness subside.
Any thoughts?