Pain in Heels During Calf Training

[OhNoYo]

I was wondering if anyone had this similar experience as me. This only started to occur to me on a machine leg press that I began performing calf raises on but now it has started on seated calf raises, too.

When I go down in the fully stretched position sometimes on the latter reps, I get a sharp, nerve type tingling pain [}] in my heel that irritates the hell outta me for 2 reasons! One is that it makes me want to end the set immediately, but I don't since I just manipulate the bend in my knees, foot placement, and how far I go down to stretch, even though I feel I don't get a good enough eccentric phase this way. The other reason is that I figured since its nerve pain, it probably isn't good and unfortunately might be some type of nerve damage! Plus the bad thing is is that its now happening when I do seated calf raises also!

I hope someone can let me know if they have had this problem and how they've alleviated or corrected it. If not, I will just take the machine calf raise exercise out of my regimen and see if that might prevent it from occurring... I hope it does!

 

[CubbieBlue]

I was wondering if anyone had this similar experience as me. This only started to occur to me on a machine leg press that I began performing calf raises on but now it has started on seated calf raises, too.

When I go down in the fully stretched position sometimes on the latter reps, I get a sharp, nerve type tingling pain [}] in my heel that irritates the hell outta me for 2 reasons! One is that it makes me want to end the set immediately, but I don't since I just manipulate the bend in my knees, foot placement, and how far I go down to stretch, even though I feel I don't get a good enough eccentric phase this way. The other reason is that I figured since its nerve pain, it probably isn't good and unfortunately might be some type of nerve damage! Plus the bad thing is is that its now happening when I do seated calf raises also!

I hope someone can let me know if they have had this problem and how they've alleviated or corrected it. If not, I will just take the machine calf raise exercise out of my regimen and see if that might prevent it from occurring... I hope it does!

Achilles tendonitis. Basically your achilles tendon wasn't used to the stress you put on it doing calf raises. Take it easy on the tendon (no running, calf raises, etc.) for a week and let it rest. Then start stretching it out. Then go back to the calf raises but at a lighter weight. Look up "eccentric achilles exercise" on google. Do those often with little to no weight and it will help the tendon.

 

[OhNoYo]

Achilles tendonitis. Basically your achilles tendon wasn't used to the stress you put on it doing calf raises. Take it easy on the tendon (no running, calf raises, etc.) for a week and let it rest. Then start stretching it out. Then go back to the calf raises but at a lighter weight. Look up "eccentric achilles exercise" on google. Do those often with little to no weight and it will help the tendon.

Thank you 4 ur reply, Sir! I apologize for not being more specific though when I stated "heel pain", as I didn't mean the back of the heels, but the bottom of the heel, which would be the bottom of my foot. I may think it is plantar fascitis. You appear very knowledgeable, so if I may ask, do you think it may be this, or something else?

 

[CubbieBlue]

Thank you 4 ur reply, Sir! I apologize for not being more specific though when I stated "heel pain", as I didn't mean the back of the heels, but the bottom of the heel, which would be the bottom of my foot. I may think it is plantar fascitis. You appear very knowledgeable, so if I may ask, do you think it may be this, or something else?

It is probably a combination of the two. I am going through the same thing. Treatment is the same and it sucks. Many athletes get it and it screws up their season because if you don't stop irritating the issue it may become chronic.

What will help:
ice, rest, massage, rolling a golf ball or something equally hard to break up any scar tissue. A lot of podiatrists say roll with a frozen water bottle under your foot but this has never done jack for me. A night splint may help but for me it doesn't do much - but others swear by it.

There is a big debate about PF. Some say it's because your feet are weak from wearing over-supportive gym shoes (most barefoot runners say this) and most podiatrists say, no, you need to wear supportive shoes ALL the time. I tend to listen to the podiatrists and wear my gym shoes in the house all day/night except for in bed. I just got a new pair of orthotics too which are helping but has not cured it.

Anything weight bearing is going to aggravate it so get on the exercise bike.

 

[OhNoYo]

It is probably a combination of the two. I am going through the same thing. Treatment is the same and it sucks. Many athletes get it and it screws up their season because if you don't stop irritating the issue it may become chronic.

What will help:
ice, rest, massage, rolling a golf ball or something equally hard to break up any scar tissue. A lot of podiatrists say roll with a frozen water bottle under your foot but this has never done jack for me. A night splint may help but for me it doesn't do much - but others swear by it.

There is a big debate about PF. Some say it's because your feet are weak from wearing over-supportive gym shoes (most barefoot runners say this) and most podiatrists say, no, you need to wear supportive shoes ALL the time. I tend to listen to the podiatrists and wear my gym shoes in the house all day/night except for in bed. I just got a new pair of orthotics too which are helping but has not cured it.

Anything weight bearing is going to aggravate it so get on the exercise bike.

Thanks again for your reply! If it is in fact a combo of the 2, do you know the risk of someone who has achilles tendonitis to tear/rupture it? The reason I ask is that I hear that rehab/recovery can be up to 1year [}] and that is really something I don't wanna go thru to say the least!

 

[CubbieBlue]

Thanks again for your reply! If it is in fact a combo of the 2, do you know the risk of someone who has achilles tendonitis to tear/rupture it? The reason I ask is that I hear that rehab/recovery can be up to 1year [}] and that is really something I don't wanna go thru to say the least!

I am unsure. If I were you I would not be concerned with it. Just don't strain it too badly until you can do so pain free.

 

[Barrett]

hi guys,,,

Yes,I was in similar situation an year ago.I used high heels and it solves my problem.Wearing high heels make your feet pose in an unorthodox manner, your foot wasn't meant to be used this way so, it's calling out to you. You can try to wear a flatter shoe.

 

[Barrett]

hi guys,,,

Yes,I was in similar situation an year ago.I used high heels and it solves my problem.Wearing high heels make your feet pose in an unorthodox manner, your foot wasn't meant to be used this way so, it's calling out to you. You can try to wear a flatter shoe.

Baltimore fitness

 

[DIE KRAFT]

I know exactly how you feel. I had the same problem for well over a year. Did alot of things:
1) Inserts in shoes
2) Stretched alot
3) Rolled a frozen can of beans under the foot
4) Went to a podiatrist - had a series of cortisone shots
and this worked very well. Actually the pain never returned.

So, I would recommend seeing the Podiatrist and getting the shots. They are painful shots.
Good luck.