Alternating heat and ice on calves to relieve tension

[Physio Bec]

I have a client with trigger points throughout her calves and a lot of tension and pain. She participates in triathalons and is very active.

I am looking at how to manage her calves for a couple of months until she is able to take a complete break from sport.

She has cut down some of her activity levels but is still training daily, and I have been treating her with trigger point release, massage and stretches. She also uses ice after training sessions.

I have heard about a technique of alternating heat and ice to relieve the cramps? Is this effective?

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[hobbes]

Hi Physio Bec.
Although I am only a student in Physio at the moment I trained in Canada as a Massage Therapist at the Canadian Therapeutic College and have been working in the field for last 10 years. With regards to ice/heat application there is no evidence showing it's effectiveness. The theory behind it is vasodilation and would vasoconstriction of the blood vessels resulting in a "flushing" of inflammatory liquid and toxins out of the area. I recommend this treatment to an ironman competitor and he seems to find it beneficial. I also do alot of deep tissue muscle stripping and TP work on his calves focusing on gastroc and soleus. I also address the peroneals just not to the same degree. One thing my client was not doing ( or doing well ) was soleus stretching. He rarely bent his knee during calf stretches causing his soleus to become overly tight. Not sure if tis helps but I hope so.
Hobbes.