Hatrack River Forum: CT Muscle Strain question

This is topic CT Muscle Strain question in forum Books, Films, Food and Culture at Hatrack River Forum.

To visit this topic, use this URL:
http://www.hatrack.com/ubb/main/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=2;t=017817

Posted by ak (Member # 90) on :

Saturday I went a little nuts with the exercise, doing intense calf work in pilates class, then running hard intervals until I dropped. Three days later I still can't stand up straight with my heels on the floor. I can either walk on tiptoe, with quite a bit of pain, or stand in a sort of 2nd position plie. (If you took ballet you will know what that looks like.) I've been taking Vioxx 25mg BID, and sleeping with my legs on a heating pad on low, which seems to help. Also lots of hot bath soaks. Other than that I've been trying to let them rest so they can recover.

Would it be advisable for me to go and run and try to loosen them up again? I think it might be possible but this also might exacerbate the injury. Any suggestions? I mean apart for berating myself for idiocy, which I already have well in hand? [Smile]

Posted by TomDavidson (Member # 124) on :

If you can't walk, except on tiptoe, how can you possibly run?

Posted by Julie (Member # 5580) on :

I've always been told to ice, 20 min. on 20 min. off 3 times. It tightens up the muscles at first, but I think it helps in the long run. Also try stretching. If you can run, it might help, but I would wait until you could walk first.

Posted by ak (Member # 90) on :

I'm thinking that if I get out there and warm up, I will loosen up eventually and be able to run normally or almost normally. I know that after I cool down I will tighten up again, but what I don't know is if it will help overall to do this or make things worse.

Julie, is the ice still a good idea 3 days later? I was thinking that was good right after the injury, but heat was better later on.

There's no swelling, by the way, just tightness and soreness that's intense enough to be called a sharp pain.

[ August 26, 2003, 05:04 PM: Message edited by: ak ]

Posted by mackillian (Member # 586) on :

Ice bath. Just read 'bout it in Runner's World.

*shudder*

Posted by Paul Goldner (Member # 1910) on :

Ice is for the first 48-72 hours. Before that, you shouldn't use heat. After that, heat is good, but so is icing. I'd recommend heat, then stretching it out, light exercise, stretching, ice. Rinse and repeat [Smile]