Pain is normal after kickboxing competition or practice, which should come as no surprise for a sport that's vigorous and includes being kicked in the legs. "Normal," however, doesn't mean "painless." The soreness can be miserable, and some calf pain might signify more serious injury than simple trophies from training. Consult your doctor if pain persists or worsens.
Muscle Soreness
When you work out, your muscles suffer microscopic tears from the exertion. When those tears heal, the muscle fibers grow back thicker and stronger -- much like the scars on your skin after a cut. Although this is a normal part of working out and getting stronger, it can also leave your calves sore for several days after your workout.
Impact Injuries
Low kicks are part of kickboxing; kicks to the calves are part of that tactic. You can also bang your own calf on an opponent's elbow, shoulder or similarly hard, pointy part. Either way, this can leave bruises, "charley horses" and cramps that you can feel several days later.
Treatment
For soreness and minor impact injuries, the treatment is essentially the same. Ice the afflicted area as soon as possible after practice, to minimize inflammation and reduce recovery time. An anti-inflammatory drug like ibuprofen can also help ease the pain and swelling. Drinking plenty of water and eating foods rich in potassium and vitamin C can also speed the healing process. You may still be uncomfortable for a few days, but the soreness should be manageable.
Prevention
Preventing muscle soreness from a workout is primarily a matter of conditioning yourself until the workout is routine, rather than a stretch for your capabilities. Warming up before your kickboxing session, and stretching after, can also help. Preventing impact injuries is a trickier proposition: You can only do that reliably by getting better at kickboxing — and even the best get "dinged" regularly.
Warning Signs
Soreness is an unavoidable part of kickboxing, but some symptoms may warn of serious injuries. If the pain is sharp or shooting, or accompanied by limited range of motion in your joints, see a doctor about the soreness. It might be nothing, or it could be a serious bruise or joint injury requiring treatment.
Posted in: Kickboxing