pulled, strained or what muscle? (sport injury)
 

Had my first basketbal game in 3 weeks or so, tonight. I was a little lax in my general excercise activities over the christmas holidays, but nothing drastic, so i still managed to run the game out well etc.

However, it was so hot on the court, with no air conditioning and all, and hot summers day, that i cramped up quite a bit just after half time. Anyway, i am sorta stupid and i play through all kinds of injuries etc which isn't too healthy, and i was cramping quite bad and my whole left leg (calf) was really tight. During the first hlaf i was doing a considerable amount of jumping compared to other nights, cause it was so easy to outrebound others, despite being 3-5 inches shorter than some of the other guys :D So that and the heat killed my leg quite badly, plus the smallish break i guess. I did my usual warmup and stretching as well.

Now though, i am suffering the consequences of playing with a dodgy legand still going full-bore with it. Although i don't know if i pulled it or strained it, or what treatment to do. Of course i would never go to a Dr about this, cause i am probably too proud and it's a guy thing :o so i do my own self-diagnosis or just play next week as well, with a not as dodgy leg.

It does hurt a bit, but i have a unusaul level of pain, in that i will be hurting really bad and just say i am fine (although when i grimace the pain goes away :D ) , again some pride thing, so it's sorta like that at the moment as well. I don't think i pulled it, but definitley strained it, or something-elsed it.

So what are common muscle injury treatments? do i go cold or warm? considering it's about 3 hours old now. It doens't hurt too much to walk on, but whenever i try to touch the beam in my kitchen ('bout 3metres, 10 foot high) it kills me, so i guess i'll have to stop doing that. Anything else to consider doing? maybe i'll see if i can find some muscle cream as well, that really hot stuff. I guess it's a tie up betwen hot and cold?

I have tried stretching extemsively as well, but it just huirts a little and doens't do much good.

Thanks for any help, or advice :D

best thing for muscle pulls is to stay off of them and stretch them carefully. Ive never been a fan of ice, but that can help. And I can relate to the guy pride thing. My still bum ankle (injured it well over a year adn a half ago) is proof of that. Basically time will heal it best.

I think i am just gonna take the pain, like a man :D :o :p

It hasn't been too bad today. Just as tight as the proverbial :)

Dude, go to the physio. It might cost 50 bucks but its worth it. Otherwise stay of it. I had to get physio today on my aductor (groin). It hurt like hell, but its for the best.