pulled muscle or just extremely sore muscle?

Question

i was at a dance convention all weekend and after the first day my calves were killing me. when i woke up the next morning i could barely walk and still had to dance that day. three days later they are still killing me and i pretty much walk around like an old lady. how do you know if it's a pulled muscle or just really really sore?

the biggest problem is that i teach dance classes so rest is kinda out of the question... i really just need to know if it's pulled so i can know to ice them or if it's just sore so i can use heat.

Answer 1

When you use your calves, they can be quite sore. Sometimes, if you strained them too much, they won't even support your weight. Just rest them, and they should be better in a couple of days.

Answer 2

Well, you may just be having muscle pain (a sore muscle) which ironically is somewhat caused by a pulled muscle; depending on whether or not you warmed up before your dance. IIf you didn't that would have most likely caused the pain. See, your muscles are like rubberbands, they need to be stretched. If you don't stretch them it's only right for them to stay in a state of tightness so when you attempt to do something such as dancing without warming up your muscle goes into shock. This may cause it to do muscle spasms depending on how much pain your in. What I suggest is that you put an ice pack on the area, I'm not only telling you this from experience but also as a massage therapist. Once you've put the ice pack you may want to keep that muscle contained or not so much activity on it until it heals. Yet you say you're going to have to dance again which I suggest you get some good stretches in. But it sounds to me like you may need a massage and get that leg focused on

Answer 3

It sounds like you over did it, you used muscles for dancing for many more hours than they were used to and now they are probably overextended and tight. The best thing to do for sore muscles is rest and stretch them. Try soaks in epsom salts, you can get a carton at any dollar store for a buck, put 3 cups in bath water and soak your legs good. Dry thoroughly when getting out and put some moisturizers on at bed time,t he lotions do help soften the skin which is tight as well as the muscles. take some advil or ibuprofen daytimes and use something like biofreeze, mineral ice, or any type of muscle rub reliever. Do stretches, isometric ones. Put your hands on a wall to steady yourself since your muscles in the legs are weakened right now, and stand on your tip toes, you will feel a stretch. also with hands on the wall extend each leg out one at a time as far as you can with toes still touching the floor, then with whole foot on the floor, you will feel the stretch. If you can have someone massage your legs or do it yourself or use a hand held massager. By doing all these things it should be better in 2-3 days. Don't dance right now and don't do anything rigorous, just do the stretches, hot baths and if you have a moist hot pack put it on the muscles hurting, muscle rubs, advil/ibuprofen and take it easy until they feel better. sneakers are best to wear if you can too as they have the rubber shock absorber when you walk right now too. If they are not better in 3-5 days, go to the dr.

Answer 4

Get a well deserved rest. After that, if you still feel pain, go to the nearest clinic to ask about it. Lack of stretching or warm-up before a strenous activity will really make your muscles sore. The stretching of muscles (that are unstretched before) will result to soreness, even pulled muscle that you are talking about. Rest will help the muscle heal the tear that the strenous activity caused. But after the some days of rest and the pain still persist, consult your physician about the matter.

Answer 5

Stretch, ice, rest!!! Rest doesn't mean you have to stop doing everything, just not as much. Give it some time to heal. When you do too much activity it tends to be an overuse injury and will heal quite well if given the right conditions. If your condition does not improve in the next week you may want to see a local Physical Therapist.

Answer 6

What just me said. You are getting stronger, your muscles are getting used to the work and are repairing themselves a lot faster. Keep at it and don't worry.