Muscle Strain

[Crappymonkey]

I strained my glutes last Wednesday. I felt the initial pain during the ride but then it went away. When I tried to go for a ride on Saturday my muscles instantly cramped up and I had to head home. I took Saturday and Sunday off from riding and tried to go out again today but my muscles cramped up when I applied any effort. I've been stretching, applying heat and taking anti-inflamatories. Any other suggestions for recovery? I read that repeating the same movement that caused the strain can cause more damage but the weather's been great and I can't ride!

[echotraveler]

Id say you need to take it easy... Walk every day, drink tons of water, and if it continues visit a "physiatra" (dr)

[ColinL]

I don't think I've ever had anything quite like you're describing, but I have noticed that if my legs get really sore from some non-cycling activity, like painting my fence (hours of crouching), it takes almost a week to get back to normal. I ride anyway, but I'm off my normal pace.

With what you described, I would just take an additional 3-4 days off the bike and no other leg/butt exercises beyond short walks (normal walking pace, not exercise pace).

You strained *both* glutes, btw? o.O

[Seattle Forrest]

Take it easy until a couple days after the pain/soreness is gone. Lots of heat. The hot tub at the gym is nice. Don't even think about cycling until you're recovered.

If you're going stir crazy and need to get out, kayaking is a great upper body workout.

[rousseau]

...I have noticed that if my legs get really sore from some non-cycling activity, like painting my fence (hours of crouching), it takes almost a week to get back to normal.

Yeah, I hate that! Isn't exercise supposed to make you in better shape so that you can do lotsa stuff? Argh...

[Crappymonkey]

You strained *both* glutes, btw? o.O

Both But as of this morning it was just the left one that was cramping unbearably

Id say you need to take it easy... Walk every day, drink tons of water, and if it continues visit a "physiatra" (dr)

Thanks for the tips. I have been walking and drinking. Hope it doesn't come down to seeing a doctor.

Take it easy until a couple days after the pain/soreness is gone. Lots of heat. The hot tub at the gym is nice. Don't even think about cycling until you're recovered.

If you're going stir crazy and need to get out, kayaking is a great upper body workout.

I'll give it till Wednesday or Thursday befor I try going out for another light ride to see if the pain is gone.


Thanks for the replies

[Ghost Ryder]

I had to rest for about 4 days when my quads were messed up, I'm lucky that my work is cool with me taking time off to heal up.
Lots of stretching,water, & walking(even @ a seniors pace) help me get back closer to normal. Haven't been on my bike for about 5 days, but tomorrows commute will tell me the truth. I can run up hills again, so I'm thinking I'll be fine.

[2005trek1200]

Stretch, lots of water, walking, and see a sports therapist to get some body work done. I would also consider starting a regiment of self-massage; the more you do it, the less likely you are to develop muslces spasms and pains like you are describing above. Have to take care of those muscles.