The calf is the big muscle that we all have at the back of the lower leg. This muscle acts to point the foot away from the body and helps to bend the knee. There are certain movements that can harm this muscle over time, but what usually does it is over exercising without proper heating.

It is very common to suffer from calf strains if you have tight calf muscles, but really it could happen to just anybody that doesn’t warm up before engaging in muscular activity. Resting is always necessary, but it is also good to treat the body with ice, compression and the elevation of the muscles. It is very good advice to cold down the body to avoid inflammation and internal bleeding, and, after the first hours have passed and we feel better, it is also a good option to use heel pads, though they could create muscle imbalances if not used in both legs.

Dehydration is another common cause for calf strains, as well as calcium deficiency or the presence of trace minerals and magnesium. If you ever suffer from a calf strain you better give your legs a good rest, laying down and getting to a lower temperature, relaxing your muscles. And when you recover, gradually increase your exercise routine again, until you feel completely recovered.