Will putting ice on my sore calves help relieve some of the pain?

Question

I over did it on my exercises, and now when I walk my calves hurt. Just moving my feet make them hurt. Should I put ice on them or will a hot compress help? I already took some painkillers, but it's not relieving the pain.~Thanks

I stretch before I work out, but this time I don't know if I stretched enough.

Answer 1

For the first 48 hours after an injury, ice it, 20 minutes on, 20 off. After 48 hours use heat.

Keep legs elevated if you can, especially if there is swelling.

Take some aleve.

Answer 2

First of all, your stretching should be after your workout, while your muscles are warm and more flexible, and be very careful doing this, as they aren't used to doing this either! Stretching too far at first can make muscles very sore, especially if they aren't warmed up first.
Your muscles need heat and ibuprofen. The ib. will help reduce swelling, it may be a good idea since you're hitting it so hard to take one before you go work out, not on an empty stomach tho. Take a hot bath, do a hot tub, heating pad. The soreness only lasts for several days, but I know what that pain can be like youch!
Remember when you do it again, to take it easy! Don't be too hard on yourself, this is how we learn what we can take, how much we should do, easy does it at first, else it will happen again. Hope this helps some.

Answer 3

Yes, use ice for up to 20 minutes at a time. After each treatment rise on your toes about 10 times. Do this for 2 days. If after 2 days the pain is just as bad, do use heat. To eliminate the problem in the future, do 30 calf raises at least 3 time per day for the next 2 weeks. This will strengthen your calves and ankles and be a great help in your exercise program.

Answer 4

okay, ice helps with inflamation where heat gets rid of pain. You should put ice on for ten minutes and then follow with hot compress. Try taking a very warm bath and add a very large handfull or two of Batherapy Sport (It is a powder that you can buy in the bath and cosmetics section of stores like walgreens or walmart) and soak for awhile. Make sure that youe painkiller is an antiinflamatory drug (advil liquagels are the best) and not just a pain killer (tylenol) as these will not help in this situation. Massage your muscles and keep stretching them. Remeber to take multi vitamins and drink lots of fluids as the deprivation of these things can cause or contribute to muscle pain and damage. Take it easy and I hope this helps.

P.S. try a topical analgesic like icy hot. It feels really good on tired muscles!

Answer 5

I would definately ice and elevate for the first couple of days. I would also try to gently stretch them after you have walked around a bit. I will eat more bananas too when my calfs are sore to avoid muscle cramps. Good luck.

Answer 6

Ice. Also, drink green tea, it's really good for helping your muscles recover and you can drink it hot or cold.

Answer 7

try massaging the muscle