In the last year I have been getting incredible calf cramps or spasms about 1000 - 1500 m into my workouts. My typical workout is 2500m, 3x per week. Usually the cramps are instantaneous, for example when I push off the wall. I also notice i get them with fly more than any other stroke. Sometimes they are so bad I have to get out of the pool, and I can't walk. To help the situation, I have been stretching, both during the day and after my swim warmup; drinking water during practice; and eating a banana before practice.
I am a pretty fit person; I have been swimming most of my life
Anyone else had this issue? Any advice you could give would be really appreciated.
Parents
Former Member
I get calf and arch cramps every workout, and it's not a dietery or stretching issue so much. I had back surgery (L5/S1) in 2005 and 2009 due to sciatica. I'm pretty sure the nerve damage from disc herniation is still there and may always be there. If you have back pain your cramps may be due to nerve compression in your spine. Surgery is usually not needed and a cortesone shot can often work very well, but of course, consult your doctor. And I'm not one.
Here's a dermatone chart to illustrate what spinal disc effects what muscle...
www.drstevenjdolgoff.com/peripheral_neuropathy_dermatome_chart_page_8.htm
I get calf and arch cramps every workout, and it's not a dietery or stretching issue so much. I had back surgery (L5/S1) in 2005 and 2009 due to sciatica. I'm pretty sure the nerve damage from disc herniation is still there and may always be there. If you have back pain your cramps may be due to nerve compression in your spine. Surgery is usually not needed and a cortesone shot can often work very well, but of course, consult your doctor. And I'm not one.
Here's a dermatone chart to illustrate what spinal disc effects what muscle...
www.drstevenjdolgoff.com/peripheral_neuropathy_dermatome_chart_page_8.htm
