How can I heal the pulled muscle in my leg?

Do I have a leg cramp or did I pull my calf muscle?

• I haven't been to track practice for 2 weeks (winter break) and on my 2nd day back, we did a lot of running and I when practice was over, I was walking home and there was a really bad pain in both my legs, especially my right leg. I'm not a really good explainer and somewhat an exaggerator, but it kinda felt like something was bouncing against my legs. I sat down and then I got even more pain in my right leg. Then it stopped and then I felt pain in my left. Then my left leg stopped having pain and my right leg felt pain. Then my right thigh started feeling pain. I rubbed the areas where it hurt and it stopped hurting when I wasn't standing up. I decided to continue walking home and my left leg didn't hurt as bad, but my right leg was somewhat hurting the rest of the way back. My right leg is still hurting right now, but my left leg isn't. Can someone tell me if I have a leg cramp or if I pulled a muscle? I hope it's just because I haven't trained my legs for 2 weeks, because this is my first year of track and season is starting soon. How can I heal my leg asap?

• Answer:

  hey sounds like you either pulled it or its just sore from not stretching it for a bit. from personal experience with a pulled leg muscle here is what you can do to get better fast: 1. get yourself in the right mindset. the mind can have a big impact on how the body functions (ex. placebos) so tell yourself your going to get better and really believe you will! Never underestimate your body, it has INCREDIBLE healing powers!!! 2. Have a shower and let the hot water fall on your sore muscles. Do some gentle leg stretches. Turn the water to cool (not uncomfortably cold) and let the cold water fall on your muscles. repeat the stretches. repeat changing the water temperature. it should loosen up your muscles and feel good. 3. take it fairly easy, lay around and rest when you can. but tell your legs they arnt getting any special treatment, and just grit your teeth through the pain when you have to walk around and stuff. depending on how bad they are hurt i would say 3 days - a week or so healing time.