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Whats best for a strained calf muscle?
I think ice, but what else? Stretching?, heat?
Is it strained or locked up.
Just going through some dreadfully painful physio to release my locked up calf muscles. Week 1 and she was almost peeling me off the ceiling... try a grid roller, look out up on Amazon and YouTube.
Just a strain. I say just.....
RICE.
Rest. Ice. Compress. Elevate.
Kneel down and place a ping pong ball on your affected calf. Sit back on it. It'll hurt but eventually the pain will ease. After another 15secs move ball down an inch and repeat. Worked for me.
If strained - total rest + elevation for about 1 week (or more depending on how bad it is). Ice until the swelling goes down, then heat may be more beneficial.
Stretching and calf-raises as soon as you can tolerate them.
Heel risers in your shoes take the strain off when walking (really, do this if you're walking with a limp, the difference is incredible!).
When you can do 3 sets of 20 single-leg calf-raises without pain, then you can get back to gentle exercise.
I did mine 2 weeks ago and I'm in the middle of the above re-hab program! I have a month of snowboard instructor exams in 3 weeks time and it is going to be touch-and-go!