💪 Your calves aren’t just for looks-they’re called the “second heart” for a reason! Every step squeezes blood back toward your heart, keeping circulation strong and fighting gravity. 🩸 When this calf muscle pump is weak, it’s linked to swelling, varicose veins, and chronic venous disease (Houghton et al., Blood, 2021). 🚫 On two separate occasions my right leg was immobilized. Once for microfractures. Then a a few years later an Achilles tendon tear-both times months were needed of physical therapy to regain normal function. To this day, the previously injured same leg/calf is smaller than the other because of the immobilization and atrophy. Despite that, I continue to work on it. Good news: walking, calf raises, and daily movement keep your “second heart” pumping strong (Mayo Clinic Proc., 2024). 👟❤️ @luvscows612 I know how you like science stuff!

Posted by Bob Collins at 2025-10-02 00:23:12 UTC