Calf pain makes it hard to fall asleep

When the calf muscles feel sore due to various reasons, people often become very anxious. Sometimes this discomfort occurs during the day and gets better at night. However, for some people, the closer they are to bed, the more severe the calf pain becomes. The pain is often so severe that they find it difficult to fall asleep, leading to frequent insomnia, which directly affects their work and life the next day. If the pain is so severe that you can't sleep, it is recommended that you seek medical attention as soon as possible to avoid delaying the condition. Let’s take a look at the causes of calf pain and difficulty falling asleep, as well as the corresponding examinations and treatments.

1. Lumbar disc disease

1. It is caused by lumbar compression and can be diagnosed by lumbar spine X-ray. Exercise regularly and avoid overwork. Avoid standing or sitting postures for long periods of time. Go to the hospital to check the intervertebral disc and rule out the cause of intervertebral disc disease. If it is confirmed that the disease is caused by the intervertebral disc compressing the nerve roots, then the following treatments should be adopted: hot compress therapy, direct application of Chinese medicine, various Chinese and Western medicine treatments, traction therapy, bone setting, massage therapy, physical therapy, acupuncture treatment, and external application of Chinese medicine for fumigation and washing. Simple bed rest is also a traditional and effective treatment method. In daily life, pay attention to avoid bending over and keep the waist muscles and ligaments warm to avoid wind and cold.

2. Further examination such as CT or MRI is needed for further diagnosis.

3. Generally, if the symptom is not very serious, traction therapy can be used. In the acute phase, blood circulation and blood stasis removal drugs combined with mannitol infusion can be used to reduce the swelling caused by the protrusion compressing the nerves.

2. Calf muscle strain

It is caused by excessive exercise. It is recommended to pay attention to rest and avoid catching cold. Local hot compresses, massage, acupuncture, and electrotherapy can be applied.

2. Excessive secretion of muscle lactic acid

Caused by excessive exercise, rest in bed more often. Soak your feet in hot water before going to bed.

3. Phlebitis

Thrombophlebitis, also known as phlebitis, refers to inflammation of the veins. Depending on the location of the lesion, phlebitis can be divided into superficial phlebitis and deep phlebitis, which can be examined by color Doppler. Its pathological changes include hyperplasia of the vascular intima, narrowing of the lumen, and slow blood flow. The surrounding skin may appear congested and erythematous, sometimes accompanied by edema. Then it gradually subsides, the congestion is replaced by pigmentation, and the erythema turns into brown. A small number of patients may experience reactions such as chills, fever, increased white blood cell count, etc. Patients often complain of pain and swelling. There are many causes of venous thrombosis, such as trauma, surgery, pregnancy, childbirth, heart disease, malignant tumors, oral contraceptives, and long-term standing, squatting, sitting, lying in moisture, etc. The most common cause is after various surgical operations.

4. Calcium deficiency

To supplement calcium, eat more soybeans, drink soy milk every day, and bask in the sun after meals to help calcium absorption. Eat more acidic foods. Because calcium is easily soluble in acidic solutions, it forms insoluble calcium salts in alkaline environments. Therefore, eat more sour fruits, amino acids, etc. Can promote calcium absorption.

1. Muscle spasms

Perform muscle massage to relieve and eliminate spasms.

2. Kidney Deficiency

Sexual intercourse and excessive labor should be avoided. You can do self-massage, practice Tai Chi, take frequent baths or take hot baths.

3. Get cold

Symptoms of blood circulation blockage caused by local cold. Need to recuperate slowly.

1. Eat a light diet and pay attention to nutrition.

2. Pay attention to rest and avoid fatigue and cold. It is recommended to use blood circulation and pain relief, muscle relaxing drugs, and hot compress. It is recommended to use acupuncture therapy, massage, scraping, cupping to stimulate acupoints, promote blood circulation, and pay attention to keeping the area warm.

4. Tips

The treatment for leg pain can be divided into five steps:

1. Pinch the Achilles tendon: The Achilles tendon is commonly known as the lazy tendon, located at the upper back of the heel. Lying on the bed, use the middle sections of the thumbs and index fingers of both hands to pinch the Achilles tendons on both sides with a little force. Pinch 20 to 30 times as much as you can tolerate.

2. Push the calf: If the back of the calf is numb and painful, push the calf; if the outside of the calf is numb and painful, push the side of the calf close to the little toe. The method is to sit on a stool and use the base of your palm or thenar eminence to maintain pressure and push downward from top to bottom.

3. Shake your legs: When standing, use the healthy leg to hold the weight, relax the affected side, press your palms on the back of the thigh and shake the muscles left and right for 1 to 2 minutes, then sit down, bend your knees slightly, press your palms on the back of the calf, and shake the muscles left and right for 1 to 2 minutes. The shaking should be continuous, smooth and natural.