How to Stretch the Outside of the Calf Muscle

If you have pain on the outside of the lower leg above the ankle, you might have a calf strain. Whenever you lift your heel to step forward or walk on your tip-toes, the calves flex. Because of this, the calves become well-developed if an exercise routine contains lots of walking and running, even if there aren't any particular calf exercises being performed.

However, the outside calf muscles could become uncomfortably tight if more time is spent working these muscles than stretching them, according to the University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine in Aurora. This might cause pain in a broad range of areas, including the knees, feet, and heels. If the outer calf — the gastrocnemius muscle — feels particularly tight, stretching this area could provide relief.

Stretch for Calf Muscle Pain

The outside calf muscles are exercised whenever someone stands on tip-toe, walks, or runs, and the constant muscle contractions could make calf muscles stiff.

Devoting a couple of days per week to stretching the calves may not be enough to make up for the constant stress on these muscles. You use your calves every day — you should also stretch them every day to stay flexible.

A good opportunity to stretch for outside calf pain is after an exercise session when the calves are warm and receptive to being stretched. However, anyone with especially tight calves may want to stretch cautiously even after warming up with a walk or run.

Try these moves to stretch the outside of your calf muscles, and be sure to consult a healthcare professional if you experience persistent or unusual pain.

1. Standing Wall Calf Stretch

This stretch is an effective way to increase the flexibility of the outer calf muscles, according to OrthoInfo.

How to do it: Turn toward a sturdy wall with your body upright. Place your right foot on the wall with toes slightly higher than the heel, keeping the right heel on the floor. Turn the right foot slightly so that the toes point inward to stretch the outside of the calf. Maintain balance by placing your left hand on the wall for support.

Lean the right hip and right leg forward until the outer calf of the right leg feels stretched. Stay in the stretched position for about 15 to 30 seconds, and then repeat this stretch for your left foot. If performing multiple sets, take up to a one-minute rest before moving on to the opposite calf.

2. Towel Calf Stretch

This stretch for the outside of the calf is performed seated and only requires a regular bath towel to do properly, according to OrthoInfo.

How to do it: Sit on the floor, keep your body upright, and hold the ends of a towel in each hand. Bend your left leg, placing the left foot on the floor. Then extend your right leg, placing your right ankle on the floor.

Place the middle of the towel over the top of your right foot while turning it in slightly to emphasize the outside of the calf. Gently pull on the towel to move your right foot back until there is a feeling that the right, outside calf is being stretched.

Stay in the stretched position for 15 to 30 seconds and then repeat the stretch for the other foot. If performing multiple sets, take up to a one-minute rest before moving on to the opposite calf.