Comments on: How can I speed the recovery of my calf muscle? http://canute1.wordpress.com/2008/11/01/how-can-i-speed-the-recovery-of-my-calf-muscle/ Tue, 22 Dec 2009 07:53:23 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: canute1 http://canute1.wordpress.com/2008/11/01/how-can-i-speed-the-recovery-of-my-calf-muscle/#comment-133 canute1 Sun, 09 Nov 2008 16:58:54 +0000 http://canute1.wordpress.com/?p=80#comment-133 Jason, Thanks. I agree that it is probable that the injury occurred mainly because I had increased the intensity of training too rapidly - though maybe rough terrain and perhaps also my altered runnings style contributed. Unfortunately it is not easy to know how rapidly one can cope with an increase in training load without trying, especially as I no longer enjoy the robustness of my younger days when I was very rarely injured. So perhaps it was not too foolish to test my limits The most important thing now is to learn from the experience. With regard to your advice on the time schedule for recovery, I think that is very good advice. Your choice of words to describe the goal also helps create the right mind-set Jason,
Thanks. I agree that it is probable that the injury occurred mainly because I had increased the intensity of training too rapidly – though maybe rough terrain and perhaps also my altered runnings style contributed. Unfortunately it is not easy to know how rapidly one can cope with an increase in training load without trying, especially as I no longer enjoy the robustness of my younger days when I was very rarely injured. So perhaps it was not too foolish to test my limits The most important thing now is to learn from the experience.
With regard to your advice on the time schedule for recovery, I think that is very good advice. Your choice of words to describe the goal also helps create the right mind-set

]]> By: Jason http://canute1.wordpress.com/2008/11/01/how-can-i-speed-the-recovery-of-my-calf-muscle/#comment-130 Jason Fri, 07 Nov 2008 00:28:21 +0000 http://canute1.wordpress.com/?p=80#comment-130 I prefer to ask: How long is required to ensure proper recovery? Slight difference in the wording, but a very different mindset in dealing with injury. One week off for proper recovery is better than incomplete recovery that limits total training over the next couple of months. Typical minor-moderate soft tissue (muscle/tendon) timeline is: Acute phase 2-4 days apply RICE and NO HARM concepts here. Regeneration: another 6-20 days where light exercise working gently on range of movement and technical skill is important. Complete rest here is likely allow inflexibility scar tissue to form. Exercise is important, but it should be easy and aid recovery not cost recovery. Sounds to me as though the change in intensity was too drastic for what your body could handle. Maybe a rethink in how you build up might prevent the thing. These are the general concepts I have applied to myself and those I coached. Nev I prefer to ask: How long is required to ensure proper recovery?
Slight difference in the wording, but a very different mindset in dealing with injury.

One week off for proper recovery is better than incomplete recovery that limits total training over the next couple of months.

Typical minor-moderate soft tissue (muscle/tendon) timeline is:
Acute phase 2-4 days apply RICE and NO HARM concepts here.
Regeneration: another 6-20 days where light exercise working gently on range of movement and technical skill is important. Complete rest here is likely allow inflexibility scar tissue to form. Exercise is important, but it should be easy and aid recovery not cost recovery.

Sounds to me as though the change in intensity was too drastic for what your body could handle. Maybe a rethink in how you build up might prevent the thing.

These are the general concepts I have applied to myself and those I coached. Nev

]]> By: Audrey http://canute1.wordpress.com/2008/11/01/how-can-i-speed-the-recovery-of-my-calf-muscle/#comment-129 Audrey Tue, 04 Nov 2008 08:17:03 +0000 http://canute1.wordpress.com/?p=80#comment-129 Canute, found your blog via Andrew's blog, and am really enjoying it. Sorry to hear about your calf, my husband tore a calf muscle and was out of action for around 8 weeks. Wishing you a speedy recovery. Canute, found your blog via Andrew’s blog, and am really enjoying it. Sorry to hear about your calf, my husband tore a calf muscle and was out of action for around 8 weeks. Wishing you a speedy recovery.

]]> By: AndrewE http://canute1.wordpress.com/2008/11/01/how-can-i-speed-the-recovery-of-my-calf-muscle/#comment-128 AndrewE Tue, 04 Nov 2008 08:09:45 +0000 http://canute1.wordpress.com/?p=80#comment-128 I'm glad to hear it's healing. There are some really interesting articles on your site. I’m glad to hear it’s healing. There are some really interesting articles on your site.

]]> By: canute1 http://canute1.wordpress.com/2008/11/01/how-can-i-speed-the-recovery-of-my-calf-muscle/#comment-127 canute1 Mon, 03 Nov 2008 21:46:05 +0000 http://canute1.wordpress.com/?p=80#comment-127 Ewen, Thanks for your comment. In fact the soleus is apparently healing well. Today there has been no trace of pain. I will continue to take things very easily this week and hope to be running again next week. Your experience is encouraging. It is good to hear that you have had no further troubles from your injury, I suspect that your consistent running over a long period has greatly strengthened your muscles and tendons. I am a little concerned that my injury appeared as soon as I added some high intensity sessions. Because I have returned to running after a very long hiatus, and in addition the modified Pirie running style I have adopted puts the calf at somewhat greater risk for the sake of protecting the knee, I am inclined to add some fairly regular calf strengthening exercises to my routine in future. I am not a believer in extensive stretching, but will also add some regular light stretches. Unfortunately it is not as easy to apply a satisfying stretch to soleus as it is to gastocnemius. Ewen, Thanks for your comment. In fact the soleus is apparently healing well. Today there has been no trace of pain. I will continue to take things very easily this week and hope to be running again next week. Your experience is encouraging. It is good to hear that you have had no further troubles from your injury, I suspect that your consistent running over a long period has greatly strengthened your muscles and tendons.

I am a little concerned that my injury appeared as soon as I added some high intensity sessions. Because I have returned to running after a very long hiatus, and in addition the modified Pirie running style I have adopted puts the calf at somewhat greater risk for the sake of protecting the knee, I am inclined to add some fairly regular calf strengthening exercises to my routine in future. I am not a believer in extensive stretching, but will also add some regular light stretches. Unfortunately it is not as easy to apply a satisfying stretch to soleus as it is to gastocnemius.

]]> By: Ewen http://canute1.wordpress.com/2008/11/01/how-can-i-speed-the-recovery-of-my-calf-muscle/#comment-126 Ewen Mon, 03 Nov 2008 10:46:03 +0000 http://canute1.wordpress.com/?p=80#comment-126 Canute, sorry your calf is still causing problems. When I tore my soleus (a minor tear), I did nothing - no massage or icing. I just left it - only did the easy walking I had to do. After about 3 weeks (it felt 'normal' after 2), I resumed easy jogging. I haven't had any problems since, touch wood. Canute, sorry your calf is still causing problems. When I tore my soleus (a minor tear), I did nothing – no massage or icing. I just left it – only did the easy walking I had to do. After about 3 weeks (it felt ‘normal’ after 2), I resumed easy jogging. I haven’t had any problems since, touch wood.

]]> By: canute1 http://canute1.wordpress.com/2008/11/01/how-can-i-speed-the-recovery-of-my-calf-muscle/#comment-125 canute1 Mon, 03 Nov 2008 09:29:09 +0000 http://canute1.wordpress.com/?p=80#comment-125 Andrew, I hope you enjoy reading some of my posts - they are a bit long but I hope they contain some useful material. Yes, I do have a medical training and continue to practice medicine part-time though I would like to regard myself as an amateur in most fields of science. My PhD was in physics - obtained at a time when physics was the discipline that saw itself as the natural science on which all others were based. In fact that was a misleading bit of hubris, but there was also a grain of truth underneath the hubris. Over the years I have worked as a researcher in many different areas of science and my current university post is as a neuroscientist. However, my thoughts on running must be regarded as the musings of an amateur. Andrew, I hope you enjoy reading some of my posts – they are a bit long but I hope they contain some useful material. Yes, I do have a medical training and continue to practice medicine part-time though I would like to regard myself as an amateur in most fields of science. My PhD was in physics – obtained at a time when physics was the discipline that saw itself as the natural science on which all others were based. In fact that was a misleading bit of hubris, but there was also a grain of truth underneath the hubris. Over the years I have worked as a researcher in many different areas of science and my current university post is as a neuroscientist. However, my thoughts on running must be regarded as the musings of an amateur.

]]> By: ajh http://canute1.wordpress.com/2008/11/01/how-can-i-speed-the-recovery-of-my-calf-muscle/#comment-124 ajh Mon, 03 Nov 2008 08:39:45 +0000 http://canute1.wordpress.com/?p=80#comment-124 Canute1, thanks for the link to your blog. I've had a quick browse around and am looking forward to finding the time to read through your primary articles. In fact I think yours might be the very first blog articles that I actually print off so I can read them properly! Do you have a medical background, or have you just acquired a lot of knowledge specifically from your running and other activities ? Canute1, thanks for the link to your blog. I’ve had a quick browse around and am looking forward to finding the time to read through your primary articles. In fact I think yours might be the very first blog articles that I actually print off so I can read them properly!

Do you have a medical background, or have you just acquired a lot of knowledge specifically from your running and other activities ?

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