This article is a transcribed edited summary of a video Bob and Brad recorded in March of 2023. For the original video go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0LAEOTf02M&t=128s
Brad: Exercising, walking, any activity that you do to increase blood flow in your legs, can be a wonderful idea.
Mike: But it can be absolutely the wrong thing if you experience any of these symptoms. Here are the warning signs to look out for.
Brad: Let me give you one example, you are doing an exercise, whether it's walking on a treadmill, or on a stationary bike, and you consistently get pain in your legs and feet. It may be cramps, it may be burning, or it may be numbness. But another thing that always happens is when you stop to rest, that pain, those symptoms, go away.
Mike: This is a sign of peripheral artery disease. That means your arteries are being blocked, and the blood flow isn't getting down there. This is relatively common in people, but you want to see your doctor and get it diagnosed properly.
Brad: That's right. All right, this is one diagnosis I'm very closely familiar with because my father had it prior to his death. When he'd get up and walked, within a hundred feet, his muscles and his legs felt weak. He always said, "My feet are breaking down," and he couldn't understand it. The color of the skin is kind of like a blue-gray or an ashtray color, which in his case, the pulse in the feet is weak. We did a video on testing your pulse in your foot a while ago. So, all these symptoms are consistent.
Mike: And it may be appropriate to still exercise if you have peripheral artery disease, but you want to check with your doctor first, have a good assessment, and set up a beginner exercise protocol for it.
Brad: Exactly right. You do not want to work through the pain on this, you want to do it appropriately. You probably need to see a personal trainer or a physical therapist to make sure you do not overdo it.
Mike: Another reason you may be having calf pain, is due to a DVT, or blood clot.
Brad: Right, so a DVT, the same as a blood clot, means deep vein thrombosis. They typically happen in the calf, in the upper calf. It means that you have a blood clot interfering with the blood flow. Again, this can be very serious. It usually only happens in one leg, and you really need to see a doctor to have this looked at and assessed. They're not very serious if you catch it early, it's treated with medications, and it's not a big deal. I've worked with many, many patients over the years with blood clots. We go with the doctor's recommendations, and things work out very well. But you need to get it checked out.
Mike: So if you're having calf pain, make sure to get checked out. It could be either of these problems. And what else are people supposed to do?
Brad: Well, obviously you and I concur about this, so we feel very strongly, and it is the right thing to do, but yeah, the four Bs, or three Bs.
Mike: We want to be happy.
Brad: Be careful.
Mike: Be helpful.
Brad: And behave.
Visit us on our other social media platforms:
Bob and Brad also have a Podcast where we share your favorite episodes as well as interviews with health-related experts.
For this week’s Giveaway visit: https://bobandbrad.com/giveaways
Bob and Brad’s Products
Pain Management:
C2 Massage Gun (US) Fit Glide
Fitness:
Stretching:
Wellness:
Check out our shirts, mugs, bags, and more in our Bob and Brad merchandise shop
The Bob and Brad Community is a place to share your experiences, ask questions and connect with others regarding physical therapy and health topics.
Medical Disclaimer All information, content, and material on this website is for informational purposes only and are not intended to serve as a substitute for the consultation, diagnosis, and/or medical treatment of a qualified physician or healthcare provider.
Affiliate Disclaimer: Keep in mind that we may receive commissions when you click our links and make purchases. However, this does not impact our reviews and comparisons. We are highly selective in our products and try our best to keep things fair and balanced to help you make the best choice for you.
Kommentare