Mia Batley Posted August 31, 2015 Share Posted August 31, 2015 In my most recent dance class, 2 days ago, I was doing a hardcore pointe lesson. Whilst doing it I felt minimal pain, and didn't find it too difficult compared to usual. Yesterday, I woke up with a sort of tight, pulling pain from my mid inner calf, up to my knee which is still there today. I am finding it painful to walk and straighten my leg. As I have not experienced this before I was wondering whether anyone else had, and whether its anything to worry about?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
balletqs Posted August 31, 2015 Share Posted August 31, 2015 You may have thrown something in your back or hip out. Best to see a Physio- I am sure it will heal fairly swiftly with the right treatment. Good luck 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jan McNulty Posted August 31, 2015 Share Posted August 31, 2015 Hello Mia and welcome to the Forum! We would always advise you to seek medical help in these circumstances - maybe a good dance physio. If you use the search facility there have been a number of topics about dance physios. Please let us know how you get on. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drdance Posted August 31, 2015 Share Posted August 31, 2015 Hi, Could be a muscle strain in your calf. Avoid stretching it and rest it for a couple of days. If it is still painful in a couple of days then seek advice from a physio. If it starts to get better after a couple of days, then it's most likely just a mild muscle strain and can be self-treated at home. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kate_N Posted September 1, 2015 Share Posted September 1, 2015 Also, a good first aid is the RICE formula. Rest Ice Compression Elevation Best translated as: a bag of frozen peas on the affected part, while you rest your foot on a chair! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drdance Posted September 1, 2015 Share Posted September 1, 2015 Interestingly, I've read recently that ice is sometimes now not directed in acute injury. The reason being, that swelling is an important part of the healing process in that it helps remove damaged tissue, and also carries proteins and vitamins which are needed to heal the injury. Preventing swelling therefore could be preventing effective healing in the early stages. More on this can be found here (if interested): http://physicaltherapyweb.com/paradigm-shifts-use-ice-nsaids-post-acute-soft-tissue-injuries-part-1-2/ 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fiz Posted September 1, 2015 Share Posted September 1, 2015 I have always found that I get on better with heat. I have always been good and listened to the doctor or the chiropractor when I was told to use ice but I never felt it helped. I used heat after I nearly froze myself and to my amazement it actually was much more effective. I don't use ice anymore. However I am an adult and can make my own decisions. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mia Batley Posted September 1, 2015 Author Share Posted September 1, 2015 (edited) Wow, thanks for all of the responses! I have been resting my leg, and have used a heat rub a couple of times, which has improved it. It is starting to feel better, and I think that I'm going to see how it goes for the next few days and if it is not any better I will probably make an appointment with the physiotherapist! Edited September 1, 2015 by Mia Batley 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lisa O`Brien Posted September 1, 2015 Share Posted September 1, 2015 Welcome to the Forum Mia. Hope it continues to get better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vonrothbart Posted September 1, 2015 Share Posted September 1, 2015 I have always found that I get on better with heat. I have always been good and listened to the doctor or the chiropractor when I was told to use ice but I never felt it helped. I used heat after I nearly froze myself and to my amazement it actually was much more effective. I don't use ice anymore. However I am an adult and can make my own decisions. Putting heat on a soft tissue injury within about 3 days is an absolute no no Fiz. If you don't want to use ice, then use something as cool as possible, as it's so important in the speed of the recovery. Heat will make the bleeding worse, as it encourages blood flow. Heat after the initial swelling has gone down, (usually about three days) will help, but you can never put enough ice on a new soft tissue injury, I'd recommend 15-20 minutes every hour, as regularly as possible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drdance Posted September 1, 2015 Share Posted September 1, 2015 I agree that heat is not always a great idea in an acute injury but I also question the efficacy of ice. Let the body heal itself during the acute healing stage (1-3 days) by giving it plenty of rest, and some compression. After the acute phase has passed, some heat and gentle massage can be helpful to encourage circulation and therefore further stimulating healing. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vonrothbart Posted September 2, 2015 Share Posted September 2, 2015 I agree that heat is not always a great idea in an acute injury but I also question the efficacy of ice. Let the body heal itself during the acute healing stage (1-3 days) by giving it plenty of rest, and some compression. After the acute phase has passed, some heat and gentle massage can be helpful to encourage circulation and therefore further stimulating healing. I hated icing up when I played rugby drdance, to me it seemed to hurt more than the injury in a lot of cases. Nowadays top sportsmen / women get in an ice bath straight after performing, I can't imagine what that's like, but some say it makes a massive difference to their healing, Paula Radcliffe being one of them. While others may have a different opinion just how beneficial an ice bath is, the one thing they all agree upon is, it certainly won't do any harm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drdance Posted September 2, 2015 Share Posted September 2, 2015 Ice baths for recovery post exercise, are great, and highly recommended. The reason why ice for an acute injury is not so great is that it prevents swelling, which prevents all of the things that help start the healing process (eg white blood cells, collagen etc) from getting to the injury site, thus potentially preventing or at least slowing down healing. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billyelliott Posted September 2, 2015 Share Posted September 2, 2015 (edited) Very interesting ! Thanks Dr Dance- I shall use that in the advice I give in the Pharmacy ???? Edited September 2, 2015 by Billyelliott 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kate_N Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 This is such a helpful & interesting conversation. Obviously the first aid formula of RICE needs detailed & careful adjustment according to the nature of the injury. Really interesting. Maybe it's the difference between an acute/trauma injury and the general wear & tear of extended and strenuous exercise? The latter is where an ice bath might be useful. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vonrothbart Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 (edited) Just watch Match of the Day, the clubs in the Premier League have some of the very top sports injury specialists working for them, when a player comes off,the first thing he does is get iced up. The main reason is to get playing again as soon as possible. Now if there was no rush and you're not too worried about a little pain, then yes of course the body will take care of itself through it's natural form, that has evolved for about umteen million years, and learnt to look after itself. Edited September 3, 2015 by Vonrothbart Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fiz Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 My chiropractor explained this afternoon that she thinks the reason heat helps me is that my muscles tense up to the extent that it affects my joints. Heat relaxes them. If it was the other way round, she would recommend ice. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vonrothbart Posted September 4, 2015 Share Posted September 4, 2015 My chiropractor explained this afternoon that she thinks the reason heat helps me is that my muscles tense up to the extent that it affects my joints. Heat relaxes them. If it was the other way round, she would recommend ice. I can understand that Fiz. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mia Batley Posted September 6, 2015 Author Share Posted September 6, 2015 It went after about 5 days 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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