On 3 Sep 2003 07:59:46 -0700, [email hidden] (Mark J) wrote:
I'm not sure about anyone else here but cramps/spams elicit very different pains than
strains/pulls. A cramp/spasm, in my case anyway, is almost always a "knotting" or pulsating
sensation of the muscle. This sometimes comes and remains for a period of time, a cramp, or
shakes inbetween a cramp and lose muscles, a spasm kinda like an intense twitch. The
cramps/spams hurt like a B@#!H for a period of time but as they subside don't hurt again
until sometime after the workout is over and feels like a bruise. The cramp pain is usually
not a sharp pain, but an intense area pain. After they subside it normally doesn't hurt to
go on running, biking etc. OTOH strains pulls etc generally have a sharp, snapping pain
ascotiated with them. After teh pull/strain it normally hurts to continue, but not always.
Severe pulls strains continue to hurt and sometimes bruise and swell. In my experinace this
rarely if ever happens with cramps. Best advice I can give for anti cramps is. Stay
hydrated, make sure you aren't operating on low electrolytes. Strains and pulls are caused
by various reason including, being too tight, over exertion/extension and probably a
plethora of other reasons. Cramps can be treated on the road by stopping and allowing the
muscles to relax then slowly work back into the workout. Be aware that if you are
dehyradted etc you are more suceptable to cramping as you continue. Strains and pulls IMO
shoudl not be worked out on the road. Stop your workout go home ice it and give yourself
some time off to heal. These suggestions are all based on my limited experiance and what
has worked for me YMMV.
~Matt
Quoted message said:I was half way through an hour run when I started to get a pain in my calf. Thinking it was a
cramp, I continued running. After a few hundred yards, the pain became sharp and I had to stop and
walk. After the run, ice and ace bandage. I now look forward to a few days of loafing.
It makes me wonder if I am confused about the difference between a cramp, and a strain. How can I
tell the difference? When I read Julstro, she says everything is a spasm, how to tell the
difference between a cramp, strain and a spasm?
Also, what is the appropriate way to "treat" it on the road. I always thought that you run through
a cramp. In this case, it seems like the wrong move.
I know that the long term solution is to stretch the calf. I do this regularly, but after the run,
not before.
I know this issue will pass, but I want to try and not repeat it.
TIA mark
