A question for those who know their muscles...

[JESW]

I started back in Jazzercise a couple weeks back and have been having a bit of a problem with one of my legs. But I don't know what the muscle is called. It is on the back part of my leg below the knee. Is that still the hamstring? When I look at pictures it seems that it's up in the thigh area...??

The instructors do a lot of stretching exercises before the classes so it's not that I am going into them cold. I have also been doing some stretching on my own. Is there anything else I could do? (It is sore now.) I couldn't go to class this morning because I didn't want to aggravate it any more.

Thanks for any help you may have.

Jill (who is TRYING to get in better shape before our next trip! And I'm running out of time!)

 

[Kermit]

I'm sure there's a technical name for it, but it's your calf muscle. (The hamstring is in your thigh.) That's a pretty easy one to injure. You may have over-stretched it while warming up. It's possible that you have shin splints, though not really likely. That's where the muscle comes off the bone. It does heal completely with time.

I'd recommend taking Advil all weekend and letting your leg get better. Once it's better, start slowly. A great stretch for that muscle is standing on the edge of the stairs and lowering and raising your heels, but be careful not to overdo it. Also, be sure to wear good shoes when you work out (no Keds or anything like that) to protect the muscles in your lower legs.

 

[JESW]

Thanks for the info! I think I need to invest in a better pair of sneakers - the ones I am wearing for the class have never felt "right".

I will continue to stretch and take my pain reliever...

Thanks again..you can always count on the DIS!

Jill

 

[EROS]

It's your GASTROCNEMIUS, JILL. I'm sure that it will be fine. Hamstring pulls take much longer to heal
......