One of my video viewers wrote to me, asking “What can I do about painful tight calves that tend to cramp during my workouts?”
Cramping muscles from Parkinson’s is usually related to a neuromuscular problem versus an electrolyte imbalance. It’s always important to stay hydrated and address your electrolytes (simple sources are pickle juice, magnesium, or mustard), but with Parkinson’s you’ll need to address the muscles and connective tissue directly.
The best way to release the fascia in the calf muscles is with a ball. Medicine balls or basketballs are the best tools for this because they’re firm and have a large surface area. You could also try a softball, racquetball, or a rolling “stick.” Any of these items, plus your hands, are all you need to get some relief and hopefully reduce the frequency of the cramps.
Watch this video to learn how to do a myofascial release for your calves:
This should be done daily and combined with the myofascial release technique for your feet.
In most cases, your calves will start to respond after a few days of this routine. You may have to do it a couple of times each day.
If you’d like even more tips and tricks for treating tight muscles and sticky fascia, check out these other resources:
- Blog/Video: You Must Do This Every Day if You Have Body Pain With Parkinson’s
- Virtual Course: Rebel Fit Club’s “From Cramping Feet to Happy Feet!”
Thank you for your questions! Keep them coming!
Coach Kimberly
Now in Session: Rebel Fit Club’s Posture School—In-Person and Virtual!
Coach Kimberly instructs this five-week exercise series to address one of the most problematic symptoms of Parkinson’s: stooped posture, which causes falls, pain, and crowds your breathing and digestion. You will learn lifelong exercises that you can do every day to prevent or treat poor posture. We also offer an in-person, seated version of this class for our fighters who can’t exercise on the floor. If you want to feel stronger, sit and stand straighter, and move better, contact Kimberly today to get on the list for our next session!
Would you like to be a part of our Posture School, but live too far away to come to the Rebel Fit Club? Not a problem—we also have Virtual Posture School!
Ready to take back your fight?
Contact me to get started in Kimberly Berg’s Rebel Fit Club Parkinson’s Boxing classes today. We have online workouts, too!
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