quote:<HR>Originally posted by lovesrunning:
I read in one of the above emails about not stretching. I'm planning on going to yoga tonight, I guess bad idea? I thought it would be helpful. <HR>

You gotta be able to do yoga without specifically stretching your calf muscle, no? I just came from a Qigong course (I teach four a week, lol) and I feel ok.

REGARDING MASSAGE: What about a Stick for massaging sore calves? I have one but was afraid to use it one what I'm really convinced now is a torn muscle.

quote:<HR>Originally posted by luwillie:
Horse balm rocks!!! <HR>

You've used it? Do you have a source for it in the US? Is the stuff you've used similar to what I described above? I'd like to know where to get it in the US, for a friend over there...


STETCHING: My intuition told me not to stretch because of the possibility of a tear in the muscle fiber. It seems to me that stretching would tend to pull a tear further open and slow the healing process or even make the injury worse.

But, it's just my take on it. The crucial point is the tear in the muscle. A strained, sore muscle is different, and I'd be stretching and massaging for sure. But, I don't know if it's possible to really make a definitive diagnosis without something like an MRI, so I'm staying on the safe side for now.


I ran yesterday for the first time, not because I wanted to but because I had to catch up to somebody who had taken off with my keys. I went slow, avoided pushing with my ankles, it felt pretty good and isn't any worse today.

Btw, "speeding up recovery" was kind of the point of this whole thread. So far, it's mostly centered around things NOT to do as opposed to things TO do...

http://This message has been edited by effzee (edited Oct-20-2006).