A pulled calf muscle can be very painful and may occur due to a host of reasons; strain on your calf muscle may be brought on by sudden or rigorous activity. It commonly occurs when you indulge in sports like tennis, basketball, soccer, and if you run without any warm up stretching.
Pulling of the calf muscle may occur suddenly and has three grade levels. Symptoms tend to vary considerably; but in general, the clinical features seen are a sudden sharp pain in the lower leg. The muscle appears swollen and will be tender to touch; there may also be some bruising. An evaluation by the health care provider is necessary to understand the degree of damage and to determine the treatment regimen.
Symptoms Of Pulled Strained Calf Muscle
The three grade levels of a strained calf muscle will help you determine what kind of pulled calf muscle treatment you should use.
Here are the three levels of calf strain that you can experience:
- Grade 1: This is characterized by cramping, pain, and tightness of the muscle.
- Grade 2: Sharp pain and mild bruising often accompanies this level of calf strain. Swelling may also occur.
- Grade 3: Obvious bruising, swelling, and a severe pain are often experienced with this condition.
Natural Remedies For Pulled Calf Muscle
Pulled calf muscle care and treatment should always be compatible with the level of strain you have in order to help you heal better and faster.
- If you cannot get to a doctor immediately, you should employ RICE or rest, ice, compression, and elevation. This treatment can also be used after you have been to your doctor about the level of your injury. Take ample rest; do not strain the affected part at all for a few days. Avoid putting any pressure on the affected leg. Ice application in the first 24 hours is important; it will help allay swelling, inflammation and pain appreciably. Wrap ice cubes in a cloth and place of the calf muscle for 5 minutes, 3 to 4 times in a day. Apply some degree of pressure / compression over the strained muscle; it will help support it better. Elevate the affected leg; it will greatly reduce the swelling and pain.
- You will also have to avoid putting strain and pressure on your leg while recuperating to speed up the healing process.
- Visit a physical therapist after 5 days of complete rest. Physiotherapy exercises are exceedingly beneficial and expedite recuperation. It will help strengthen the muscle and enhance movement.
- Soaking your legs in hot water to which some bath salts have been added also helps substantially ease the pain.
- Have 2 to 3 glasses of ginger tea daily for a period of 10 days. Ginger decreases swelling and inflammation and consequently eases the pain.
- Massage therapy is recommended as well. Massage boosts blood circulation, gets rid of toxic products from the blood stream and improves mobility. You may use sesame seed oil or avocado oil for the massage. Some therapists advise using warm oil. You could also incorporate aromatherapy; and make use of essential oils such as clove essential oil, ginger essential oil or nutmeg essential oil. These oils singly or in combination afford tremendous relief.