Causes of Calf Pain and Cramping
      Pain in the calf and Achilles tendon regions is frequently caused by trigger points in the calf muscles. Women who experience calf pain on a regular basis should avoid wearing high heels, as these muscles are easily overloaded by the foot position that these shoes require. Trigger points in the calf muscles are also very likely to become activated by stress or emotional tension.

The Muscles and Trigger Points that Cause Calf Pain & Cramping:
The calf region is composed of two large muscle groups:
  • Gastrocnemius
  • Soleus
     The Gastrocnemius muscle attaches in the back of the knee region and runs downwards to connect to the Achilles tendon. Contraction of this muscle will lift you up onto your toes (plantar flexion). Trigger points in this muscle cause pain in the calf region and also on the bottom of the foot (resembling the pain from plantar fasciitis). Additionally, the trigger points can cause the muscle to cramp, frequently at night. People with Gastrocnemius trigger points will have difficulty walking upstairs or on steep slopes, and will frequently have calf pain while standing.
     The Soleus muscle lies beneath the Gastrocnemius muscle in the calf region. It attaches just under the knee and also connects to the Achilles tendon. Contraction of this muscle will lift you onto your toes. Additionally, the rhythmic contraction of this muscle assists the return of blood to the heart. Trigger points in this muscle cause pain in the calf region, extending down to the Achilles tendon.
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Important: The following content is provided for information purposes only. A proper diagnosis of any condition requires a physical examination by a licensed doctor.