It's been from more than two weeks ago. I have sóleos contraction, even the left one hurts sometimes. The right is better, it's not a problem. It was produced after having riding in my mountain bike for near 40 Km. I've taken it two time after that so sóleos haven't recovered. I'm not taking a muscular laxative because they make me to sleep less hours and when I get up I'm very sleepy. Yesterday I started to take 2-3 pils of Naproxen a day, it's similar to Ibuprofen and I had it at home. Sometimes I'm also covering the left sóleo with a long sock for heating it up and I use a electric blanket for reactivating the circulation. I'm getting worried because the contraction is still there and I think I can't go hiking/climbing.

Any help

Try icing - get paper cups and freeze water in them. You can peel back the paper as the ice melts. Massage the areas with the ice about 20 minutes until the area is numb and red. Ice actually stimulates more and deeper circulation than heat. Do at least 4 times per day.

Try Voltaren (Diclofenac) - it is a topical antinflammatory . It is over the counter at the pharmacy in Switzerland, so perhaps it is too in Spain. Otherwise any oral anti-inflammatory (Naproxen, Aspirin, Ibuprofen) is okay too.

Thanks Moni, I don't know if ice is good for contraction as it is with muscular strains. Perhaps, changing between hot and cold is good. I could try with cold but I'd want the opinion of a physiotherapist. I know that there are some in SP. Voltaren is sold here as in Switzerland but I don't know if I should change the anti-inflammatory now. Well, I've only taken 3 pils of Naproxen and I have no more

Since you rub Voltaren in - it is a cream, it is okay to take Naproxen, especially at the over the counter strength.

Ice is better for everything! I have had many types of muscle and other injuries and ice always has worked better than heat. One of my best friends is an athletic trainer and she almost exclusively uses ice to rehab the athletes she treats.

Moni, I've done track & field for almost 20 years so I know the power of ice. But I'm not completely sure about its benefits in muscular contractions. Concerning pils I've already bought Ibuprofen. Didn't buy Voltaren (I thought you said pils) because I've heard that can be bad for the stomach. I've also been informed that potasium (in bananas) and other minerals are good for contractions. BTW, I rub in Flogoprofen.

Many thanks anyway mate.

Any help from a physiotherapist or doctor

Since you refer to potassium, I think perhaps you are talking about cramping. In that case, neither ice, heat nor anti-inflammatories will help. Cramping would more be due to an electrolyte imbalance and dehydration. Potassium doesn't do much good unless you also take in sodium, magnesium and calcium. Taking Vitamin E is often recommended. Hydrating adequately is important. Prunes, raisins ans potatoes with the skin have more potassium than bananas. Most sport drinks do not have enough potassium to do much good. about 3500 mg per day are recommended for athletic exertions.

3500 mg

No, it's not a cramp, it is a contraction.

The word contraction doesn't get used in English to describe a muscle injury - hence my confusion.

Diego Sahagún wrote:3500 mg

You'll get most of that in your food.

For contraction, do you mean spasm?

My sóleos are hard, mostly the left one, that's what a mean mates

OK, you've got me. What is sóleos? Babelfish fails me, as do the online Spanish medical dictionaries. In the foot? Ankle? Calves? Hamstrings? Quadriceps?

It's the soleus or lower, outer part of the calf muscle, the upper part being the gastrocnemius
see here

Diego, you might want to look here

It's in the upper part of the soleus and in the insertion with the gastrocnemius. Thanks for the links Moni, I'll have to start stretching

MoapaPk wrote:OK, you've got me. What is sóleos? Babelfish fails me, as do the online Spanish medical dictionaries. In the foot? Ankle? Calves? Hamstrings? Quadriceps?

I neither found the translation in English but Moni has given it by posting those links

Hope it gets better soon!