14/11/2025
What Really Happens After a Deep Calf Massage
(Especially for Tight or Chronically Stiff Calves)?
If your calves have been super tight for a long time (from running, standing all day, poor posture, or just neglect), you probably expect a good massage — especially one targeting trigger points or doing myofascial release — to make them feel loose and amazing right away.
Reality check: It often feels worse before it gets better.
Many people are shocked the next day (or even immediately after) when their calves feel sore, stiff, or even temporarily harder to move — like you can barely walk or point your toes without discomfort. This is completely normal, especially after deep work on the gastrocnemius (the big, visible "calf" muscle) and soleus (the deeper, flatter one underneath).
(Especially for Tight or Chronically Stiff Calves)