Burning in calf during partner hip stretch

[apat7]

Hello all,

I have been making good progress in the mastery course and have just now started incorporating partner hip stretches.

On my right side, I can feel how effective this is immediately, however on my left side (typically my more flexible side) I get an intense burning sensation on the inside of my calf on the leg stretching behind me (side of the hip being stretched) once my partner sits down. I have to tell my partner to get off quickly as it feels exactly the same as if someone were holding a lighter to that part of my leg. I am certain it is some kind of nerve sensation as it's so far from the hip itself being stretched. The area where I feel this is small (maybe a couple inches of area).

I have not been able to replicate this in any solo stretch yet, so I wonder if it has to do with the area being compressed by my partner rather than the hip stretch itself, but this is just speculation.

Here's an image with the area where I feel this sensation circled. I am not sure what is causing this pain, so any help/thoughts are appreciated as I cannot use the partner hip stretch at all on this side.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Kit_L]

Definitely fascial. Keep doing the exercise, but with (for a while) a lower intensity partner weight/force. All exercise sensations have to be tolerable to be effective, because if they're not, you can't relax in the end position. We use the C–Rs and other techniques to get into new ROMs, but without this critical last part (relaxing in wherever you are in the ROM), the new ROM will not become permanent.

What you are feeling is relatively common. In our experience, it is always adhesions that produces this kind of reaction. The critical point is not to force it (because a tear is a real possibility) and massaging that area (and above that area, because above it is probably where the adhesion is located) but even if you can't find it precisely, it will change if you persist, and don't tear it. 

[apat7]

Thank you for the quick response, Kit! That is reassuring to hear. I have had a similar (lesser) sensation once before in my quad that concerned me, but I think I may have broken up that fascia now. I will try both massage and lightening the load of my partner (I have some rings they can pull some of their body weight off with). Can I ask how you know (or suspect) it is not nerve related (although I do believe you)? I think I feel some general fear around hurting nerves although this feels different than other nervy sensations I've worked through so fascial adhesion makes sense.

I will report back after taking your recommended approach for some time.

P.S. Thank you for your work and for these programs. The mastery course and the relaxations have already made a big difference for me since I started last August!

[Kit_L]

@apat7: I take a pragmatic approach: nerves must be involved (or you would not feel any pain, or anything else, for that matter). But the approach I have outlined for how to approach this is identical in either causal scenario. Neural involvement is more common in the pike and pancake movements, simply because in those the sciatic nerve itself is under tension. Usually this produces either numbness or pins and needles in the extremities, rather than what you described above. Proceed with full awareness; you'll be fine.

[apat7]

That makes sense to me, I will take this approach. Thanks!

[oliviaa]

Hi there. I get the same sensation on one side, but only when the partner is holding the calf of the back leg. I ask the partner to instead hold the ankle, with both a downwards (into floor) pressure and a slight lengthening (away from our bodies) force, and then I don't feel the nerve-type stretch in the calf.

Cheers, Olivia

[Kit_L]

And keep in mind that tensioning fascia can produce a nervy sensation, too; might not have anything to do with the sciatic nerve.

[apat7]

The last couple of times I did this, I had some success with my partner using less of their weight, but I will see if they can use more again by holding the ankle. Thanks!