Burning Sensation in back of legs whilst running

Hectorjelly

I play soccer twice a week and used to reasnably fit, but I injured my foot last year and was out for about 2 months, in which I did no exercise. I never regained my level of fitness. So last month I decided to start an exercise program to get fit again. I based it on the Guardians Army Fitness programme (http://lifeandhealth.guardian.co.uk/armyfitness/0,,2230720,00.html).

I have been following the programme, but im having a big problem with the running aspect of it (which is probably the most important bit). Whenever I run I get a burning sensation in the back of my lower leg, it starts off small but builds up and up until im able to continue. It goes away quite quickly afterwards. Sometimes it happens in both legs, but mainly the right.

I have noticed this sensation whilst playing football, but it isnt as painful and usually goes away after a while. This leads me to think it could be that im not warming up properly. I do about 5 mins of stretches and movement to get ready. Is this enough? Is there a specific way to warm up this muscle?

I'm 28, 5'11. Not sure of my weight, (heavier than most my height without being fat Id say) Over the last few weeks ive been trying to improve my diet. I didnt eat that unhealthy before, but I probably ate too much pizza and sweets. Breakfast I have a mixture of all bran and crunchy nut cornflakes. For lunch I have a something like a cheese salad sandwich and then either a salad/veg lasagne/noodles/pasta for dinner. I eat about two pieces of fruit, and usually some choclate or yogurt coverered peanuts/raisins. I also drink a danone actimel each day, and 10 almonds. I dont eat meat, but I do eat dairy products and so on. No fish though!

As some last background info, I work from home and dont travel that much on a daily basis. When I do I usually cycle, but probably only for 10 mins on average a day.

So my main question is what causes the burn, is there anything simple I should do about it? And also if there is anything glaring about my lifestyle that may be causing it. I dont get a similar pain from any other type of exercise.

jumbopalumbo

unlikely to be anythin lifestyle wise but it could possibly be a postural imbalance and flexibility issue, which are things dat just creep up on all of us, seek out a NASM qualified trainer and get an assesment done?

Imposter

If it's just behind your shinbone then its what's commonly referred to as shin splints but apparently is just a weak muscle that is getting shocked into use. Only thing for that is to rest.

If it's anything else then you probably should see a doctor or physio.

Hectorjelly

jumbopalumbo wrote: »

unlikely to be anythin lifestyle wise but it could possibly be a postural imbalance and flexibility issue, which are things dat just creep up on all of us, seek out a NASM qualified trainer and get an assesment done?

Ok ill do that, cheers.

Hectorjelly

Imposter wrote: »

If it's just behind your shinbone then its what's commonly referred to as shin splints but apparently is just a weak muscle that is getting shocked into use. Only thing for that is to rest.

If it's anything else then you probably should see a doctor or physio.

I dont think its that because it builds slowly up the leg, it doesnt seem confined to behind the shin.

Mhmm...weetabix

Hector, the only way you'll get an accurate diagnosis is by seeking treatment from a trained physician i.e Osteopath, Physiotherapist etc. who can actually see & test what condition your musculo skeletal system is in. All you'll get here is people who have an idea from experience or training but cant put together a full diagnosis.From what you're describing it could be a number of any problems
but as you're getting referral pains bi-laterally i.e travelling pains in BOTH your legs
I.d be thinking it could be a minor spinal issue which will subside with a good treattment and maintenance programme...

If you've no intention to see someone been that you play football i'd be focusing on stretching out your glutes,Piriformis, hamstrings and calfs more and defo up the stretching from 5 minutes to see if you get any relief. You probably wont notice any improvement for a while (if you notice anything at all) until you get signficant improvement in your flexibility. If I was you though I'd be going to see an Osteopath for an issue such as this, but again thats just my opinion!

Lil' Smiler

Hectorjelly wrote: »

I play soccer twice a week and used to reasnably fit, but I injured my foot last year and was out for about 2 months, in which I did no exercise. I never regained my level of fitness. So last month I decided to start an exercise program to get fit again. I based it on the Guardians Army Fitness programme (http://lifeandhealth.guardian.co.uk/armyfitness/0,,2230720,00.html).

I have been following the programme, but im having a big problem with the running aspect of it (which is probably the most important bit). Whenever I run I get a burning sensation in the back of my lower leg, it starts off small but builds up and up until im able to continue. It goes away quite quickly afterwards. Sometimes it happens in both legs, but mainly the right.

I have noticed this sensation whilst playing football, but it isnt as painful and usually goes away after a while. This leads me to think it could be that im not warming up properly. I do about 5 mins of stretches and movement to get ready. Is this enough? Is there a specific way to warm up this muscle?

I'm 28, 5'11. Not sure of my weight, (heavier than most my height without being fat Id say) Over the last few weeks ive been trying to improve my diet. I didnt eat that unhealthy before, but I probably ate too much pizza and sweets. Breakfast I have a mixture of all bran and crunchy nut cornflakes. For lunch I have a something like a cheese salad sandwich and then either a salad/veg lasagne/noodles/pasta for dinner. I eat about two pieces of fruit, and usually some choclate or yogurt coverered peanuts/raisins. I also drink a danone actimel each day, and 10 almonds. I dont eat meat, but I do eat dairy products and so on. No fish though!

As some last background info, I work from home and dont travel that much on a daily basis. When I do I usually cycle, but probably only for 10 mins on average a day.

So my main question is what causes the burn, is there anything simple I should do about it? And also if there is anything glaring about my lifestyle that may be causing it. I dont get a similar pain from any other type of exercise.

have you made sure to warm up? doesn't sound like shin splints to be honest.
If you still think it's shin splints, scroll down through the posts, I replied to someone about what they thought was shin splints as to what we do as Physical Therapists to sort the problem.

Seems like the burning sensation is probably due to a combination of things, dehydration, lack of warm up, lack of flexibility in the muscles, also could be tight bands in muscles following referral patterns in the legs.

get it checked out if you're worried

Reyman

It sounds to me like trouble with your gastrocnemius - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gastrocnemius_muscle.

Perhaps a bit of tightness and you just need more flexibility. I wouldn't ignore it though because this can be a big problem area as guys get into their thirties.

There's also a medical condition with similar symptoms involving blocking of the blood supply in the lower leg - though this usually affects much older people.

Either way it's best to get a physio to look at it

Hectorjelly

Thanks a lot for all the replies, I suppose in a way I just wanted to know if it was something easily sorted; I had hoped it was just my muscles being weak or something.

I'm very bad at warming up, so ill try and improve that. But ill also get a physiotherapist and see what s/he thinks.

Reyman - It does seem like that muscle

Does anyone recommend a good physio in or around Rathmines?

jhealy74

also make sure you ware a decent pair of trainers & try and not run on hard surfaces. there is a place on the dargle road in bray that is really good for advice and fitting

Reyman

Hectorjelly wrote: »

T

Does anyone recommend a good physio in or around Rathmines?

There's a place callled the Milltown Clinic on the Lr Churchtown Rd above the Dropping Well - not exactly Rathmines but quite a good place nevertheless

Hectorjelly

jhealy74 wrote: »

also make sure you ware a decent pair of trainers & try and not run on hard surfaces. there is a place on the dargle road in bray that is really good for advice and fitting

I thought that this might be a problem and tried running on a nearby park, I had the same problem. Would it be the case that a hard surface would have a long term affect? Nearly all of my running to this point would be on astro turf chasing hopeless balls!

Hectorjelly

Reyman wrote: »

There's a place callled the Milltown Clinic on the Lr Churchtown Rd above the Dropping Well - not exactly Rathmines but quite a good place nevertheless

Thats perfect, its just down the road. Thanks!

Rogueish

Hi OP,

I'm just going to reiterate what other posters have said and get yourself to a qualified experienced sports practitioner (physiotherapist/athletic trainer/sports rehabilitator) for an assessment.

Your problem could be something as simple as needing to warm-up or stretch more or more complicated to do with your biomechanics, referred pain from the lumbar spine or a compartment syndrome needing orthapedic intervention.

Just out of interest the burning sensation you describe how long does it last after stopping training/activity? Is ther any accompanying numbness or pins and needles? If there is where is it situated?

Hectorjelly

Rogueish wrote: »

Just out of interest the burning sensation you describe how long does it last after stopping training/activity? Is ther any accompanying numbness or pins and needles? If there is where is it situated?

It fades quite quickly, there is no numbness or pins & needles.

Hectorjelly

I went to the phsyio earlier in the week. Ill try to recount what he said, apologies if I get some of the lingo wrong!

He said that I have a biomechanical problem. My right foot (and my left to a lesser extent) is not cushioning the blow properly when it lands. He thought that I should get anti-pronatory runners for running in, and get shockabsorbing insoles for my astro boots.

He also gave me some special stretches to do, In Side lying, which lying on my side and attempting to move my leg upwards from the knee down, and some Calf Stretches.

I got the insoles during the week and played with them, I didnt get any pain in my calf at all. I did get a small amount of similar pain in my foot, ill ask him about that next week. I'm going to get the runners over the weekend and try running then.

Thanks for everyones help!

Reyman

Was that Brendan you went to in Milltown?

Hectorjelly

No, a friend recommended a place near my parents house in kill of the grange. I decided to go out there and kill two birds with one short bus trip

Whilst I'm here, the physio said to get anti-pronatory runners. I went to lifestyle and the guy behind the counter said they only stock nike and asics, or something to that affect! I probably should of foreseen that. Can anyone recomennd some cheapish anti-p runners? Under €100 if possible

Odysseus

Your best bnet is heading out to Bray to Amphibian King you will get a full analysis and the best advice around. Do a search for them there have been quite a few threads about them. Best of luck with it.

xebec

The Asics Kayano range of runners are anti-pronatory iric. The older Kayano 13 should be around €100 now, the more recent Kayano 14 retail at about €150. If you get the chance, then the trip to Amphibian King is well worth it.

Hectorjelly

I thought of this thread today whilst out running, the combination of shock absorbing insoles and physio work really helped. I can go much further now before feeling any discomfort, and it isnt any trouble at all whilst playing football. Cheers for the help!