I'm just about one year into swimming since stopping after college thirty years ago. I always retained great leg strength though biking but seven years ago I developed very bad sciatica at disc L5-S1, and pain down my left leg was excruciating. Three years ago I had a 2nd surgery and finally began recovery. The problem that remains is a tendency (actually more of a certainty) of getting bad cramps in my left calf and both arches in my feet. The chiropractors we get at big swim meets all say any nerve damage would be healed by now and I simply need to strengthen my calf muscle. Using fins will guarantee a cramp in seconds and actually so will a pull-buoy.
Anybody else every had this dilemma?
Hey Patrick! The cause of your cramps may be completely unrelated to your previous back problem. Are you keeping hydrated while you swim? I make sure to drink water before I swim and keep a bottle handy to drink from throughout my workout. And, depending on the conditions and workout, I will drink Gatorade (or something similar), as well.
You may also have a potassium defiency which can lead to cramping. It wouldn't hurt to eat a banana before you swim and see if that helps.
How cold is the water you are swimming in? As much as I love swimming in cooler water, my legs will cramp in anything cooler than 79 degrees, if I don't keep moving.
As you know, I am not a doctor, but I believe my suggestions are valid. If none of this applies to your situation, you may want to check with your doctor for advice.
Good luck and see you at the next meet! :D
Hey Elaine.... no, I'm sure this is sciatica related. I drink water and power aid through the day, and usually have at least one banana in the morning. It also doesn't matter what pool I'm at or the temp. I'm worried there's still a bit of pinched nerve in there so I'd start with an orthopedic specialist.
I'm sorry to hear that; I hope you are able to get the problem resolved soon! I can relate, regarding your back surgery. In 1987, I had a laminectomy and discectomy on the exact same disc. It did take about one year for the nerves to regenerate in my left leg and foot. Fortunately, I haven't had any problems since.
Good luck!
I remember I would get tremendous cramping on the bottom of my feet, lower calves, and hamstrings. The muscles would suddenly contract and amass if I didn't stop and relax. I would be swimming along, get hit by it, then struggle to the side nearly drowning and get out. For me it had nothing to do with hydration and salts, but was very consistent with endurance. Hard dryland resistance training just made it worse unless fully recovered. Had marginal success as my endurance increased, but was still inevitable long before any decent degree of workout was achieved.
Then, about a year ago I started toying around with yoga positions I found illustrated in a book of my wife's. Just assuming here, but the cramping has disappeared since then. This is with all activities, swimming, sleeping, or whatever (once had a bad cramp during peak intimacy which almost ruined the mood).
Though my swims are mostly low yardage and sprint-like, it was put to test the other day with a long slower paced swim (100 X50yds on 1:00 holding low 40's) that followed a full body workout with weights (much more than I typically do in a day). No cramping. Not sure what type of yoga it is or if I'm doing it right but it has definitely helped with cramping, among other stuff. Might be worth a try.
Hey Patrick! The cause of your cramps may be completely unrelated to your previous back problem. Are you keeping hydrated while you swim? I make sure to drink water before I swim and keep a bottle handy to drink from throughout my workout. And, depending on the conditions and workout, I will drink Gatorade (or something similar), as well.
You may also have a potassium defiency which can lead to cramping. It wouldn't hurt to eat a banana before you swim and see if that helps.
How cold is the water you are swimming in? As much as I love swimming in cooler water, my legs will cramp in anything cooler than 79 degrees, if I don't keep moving.
As you know, I am not a doctor, but I believe my suggestions are valid. If none of this applies to your situation, you may want to check with your doctor for advice.
Good luck and see you at the next meet! :D
Hey Elaine.... no, I'm sure this is sciatica related. I drink water and power aid through the day, and usually have at least one banana in the morning. It also doesn't matter what pool I'm at or the temp. I'm worried there's still a bit of pinched nerve in there so I'd start with an orthopedic specialist.
Hey Patrick- try the tennis ball massage with a frozen water bottle of the same diameter- you get the same massage and some anti-inflammatory effect as well.
In addition to the water and potassium, you might want to also try 500mg of magnesium from your local pharmacy.
I used to always get cramps in my legs but taking potassium gluconate 550mg before swimming every day has helped me substantially.
I've heard from some that magnesium helps as well. It might be worth a shot. If you do try it, watch what you buy because some magnesium salts are laxatives- like magnesium citrate. You'd want to buy one recommended for muscle/nervous system/bone health. Eating lots of sugar and drinking alcohol can decrease your Mg levels substantially
I've had a few doctors recommend magnesium for my constant back spasms. It didn't help me, but I have a very complicated situation.
Thanks all for the tips. Another swimmer at Greensboro was also stressing yoga so I'll look into it. I have also tried the tennis ball/ golf ball for messaging my arches -easy at work to just stand up once in a while and roll the ball under my feet. It hurts but it helps. I'll try the same thing with my glutes and piriformis muscles.
I have had lots of calf and especiall foot cramping over the years. I have had lots of hip trouble over the years that also really affects my calf and achilles. What tends to happen is the hips block lots of the blood flow and nerves that extend to the lower limb. This has caused problems for my calf in the past and they really tighten up.
To overcome this I stretch and massage my hips LOTS! One of the best stretches I have found is:
Lie on your back and raise 1 leg in the air so that it is pointing to the cieling. Wrap a theroband or skipping rope around the foot and the with your hands pull it across your body. Try to keep your shoulder AND hips on the ground. Hold this for 30sec and then do on the other side.
In terms of massage I do this constantly. I get a baseball and put it into my glutes and hips as I lie on it and gently roll around on it. Or I lean up against a wall and push my glutes and hips into the ball. This can be painful but boy do I love it. It frees everything up and amazingly it actually helps my lower legs as well as my back and hips.
Not sure if this will help you but it has really helped me so may be worth a go. Good luck with it all.
After the tennis ball butt massage yesterday not really any cramps in today's swim -even on 12x 50 backstroke kick with flippers. But man my glutes are sore. Lots of stretching in order tonight.
Thanks again everyone.
