What's wrong with leg and stomach pain after running

Back leg abdominal pain during running is usually caused by muscle fatigue, lactate accumulation, muscle strains, dehydration, or electrolyte imbalance. It can be relieved through rest, cold compress, stretching, hydration, and medical examination.

1. Muscle Fatigue

During running, the calf muscles continue to contract and exert force, especially when they are not adapted to the intensity of exercise or when running suddenly increases, muscle fibers may be slightly damaged. This kind of pain is mostly a feeling of soreness and swelling, which gradually subsides after rest. It is recommended to avoid repetitive high-intensity training within 48 hours after running and promote blood circulation through low-intensity walking.

2. Lactic acid accumulation

During anaerobic exercise, muscle glycogen breakdown produces lactic acid that cannot be metabolized in a timely manner, which can stimulate nerve endings and cause burning pain. Commonly seen after sprinting or slope training, the pain usually subsides on its own within 1-3 days. Hot compress and mild massage can help accelerate lactate clearance, but avoid severe rubbing that exacerbates inflammation.

3. Muscle strain

An emergency stop, change of direction, or incorrect posture may cause partial tearing of the gastrocnemius or soleus muscles, manifested as local pain or bruising. Mild strains require stopping exercise and applying ice. In severe cases, walking difficulties may occur, and the extent of the injury should be confirmed through ultrasound examination. If necessary, elastic bandages should be used for fixation.

4. Dehydration spasm

Excessive sweating leading to sodium and potassium loss can cause muscle spasmodic pain, often accompanied by cramps. An appropriate amount of electrolyte drinks should be replenished 2 hours before exercise, and a small amount of water should be consumed every 20 minutes during running. If spasms occur, the affected limb can be stretched in reverse and slowly hydrated to avoid excessive drinking at once.

5. Fascial inflammation

Long term repetitive movements may induce medial tibial stress syndrome or plantar fasciitis, with persistent dull pain. Need to replace running shoes with better cushioning, reduce hard training, and use fascial balls to relax after exercise. Repeated attacks require investigation for biomechanical abnormalities such as flat feet. After running, if you experience leg and stomach pain, you should first stop exercising and observe. Apply cold compress to the affected area within 24 hours, and then apply hot compress to promote recovery after 48 hours. Pay attention to supplementing magnesium rich foods such as bananas and nuts in daily life, and do dynamic and static stretching before and after exercise. If the pain persists for more than a week or is accompanied by swelling and fever, seek medical attention to rule out serious injuries such as stress fractures. It is recommended that novice runners gradually adapt by using a combination of running and walking, with a weekly increase in running volume not exceeding 10%, and choose plastic tracks or other cushioning surfaces to reduce impact.