Calf Strain? Here’s Your Action PLan

Have you injured your calf recently?

Does it keep happening?

Is your treatment plan to rest, then play on?!

Read why this is not the best strategy...

If you recently strained your calf, make this is your ACTION PLAN

🚦Rest, but not completely. Keep moving, but remember, your calf works hard with faster walking in particular so don't go nuts with your steps in the first few days - (check out our other post on the POLICE protocol). There is a possibility of needing crutches or a boot if the calf strain is high grade

🏋️ Start your strength training early i.e. as soon as able (likely when you are still a little sore) and with both a straight knee and a bent knee. Ultimately, you will need to do calf work with heavy weights to see good results

🆘 Get advice on returning to running and sport - see your physiotherapist to help determine when you are able to start training and return to games. Recurrent calf strains in particular need a management plan in regards to running loads, don't guess it!

🤸 Consider contributing factors, in my experience, calves can be undertrained and poorly worked in the gym. Don't skip leg day! It's useful to have this injury assessed, and make sure there isn't a tendon issue as well.

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