Hi Guru, I was playing tennis yesterday and felt something pop in my calf. It was quite sore yesterday but it it is better today. I can walk around with some difficulty. Do I need treatment, rest, or both? Thanks, Brian

Hi Brian 5 day rule. Do nothing for 2 days, slowly add some gentle stretching for the next day then for the final 2 introduce some strength - calf raises on a bent and straight knee. This is either kill or cure and will decide if you need treatment or not - most don't. The initial rest is for if your torn anything and is bleeding. The day of gentle stretch is to help "realign" muscle fibres - but will make you worse if it's a true tear, hence go easy. Think restoration of length not gaining extra motion. The final 2 days are to up your motor control - don't do blistering amounts of calf raises but just enough to make sure your cal knows that it got to work under load. Rule 6 is if there is any bruising or lumps or bumps then don't do any of the above - and go to see someone sooner rather than later. The Guru Six Physio