Treating Muscle strains: recovery in 3 phases with compression and cold therapy

Herzog Medical
September 15, 2025

A Muscle strain injury (mostly) to the calf often comes unexpectedly and is accompanied by a sharp, intense pain, as if a whip were hitting the muscle. This injury usually occurs when the calf muscle tenses suddenly, for example, during a sprint or jump. A muscle strain injury requires the right approach in the first few days and careful rehabilitation.

Recognize the injury: What happens in a muscle strain injury?

A calf strain is essentially a muscle tear in the calf, ranging from a minor strain to a more serious injury (a severe muscle tear). Many athletes experience it as a snap or a snap in the muscle. Symptoms include:

Sudden, sharp pain in the calf
Difficulty walking or pushing off
Sometimes an audible "popping" sound
Swelling or discoloration in the days afterward

The injury mainly occurs in athletes over 35 years of age and in sports with short, explosive movements such as tennis, volleyball or running.

Recovery Phase 1: First 48 hours for rest, cooling, and support

The first 48 hours after a muscle strain injury are crucial for further recovery. During this period, everything revolves around reduce pain, limit swelling and relieve the muscle.

➤ Cooling for less swelling

Cooling helps regulate blood flow and reduce swelling. Many athletes use an ice pack wrapped in a cloth for this purpose. This works, but often only provides temporary relief. For a more targeted and lasting approach, the Compry Cool with ankle support is a perfect solution.

Compry Cool: cold therapy and compression in one provides:

Promotion of reduction of swelling and inflammatory reactions
Targeted and constant cooling without the risk of freezing
Active compression that limits fluid retention and supports the muscle
Suitable for use in both muscle injuries and recovery after surgery

Thanks to this combined action, Compry Cool is the most complete acute treatment for whiplash.

➤ Support your muscles with Pro Compression Socks

After the acute phase, it's wise to continue supporting the calf. PRO Compression Socks provide:

Targeted compression that stabilizes the muscle
Better blood circulation and faster removal of waste products
A safer transition from rest to light loading
This is how Compry Cool and PRO Compression Stockings work perfectly together: first acute relief and recovery stimulation, then continuous support during further rehabilitation.

Products in this blog

Compry Cool

€650,00

Compry Cool

€650,00

Ankle bandage Compry Cool

€145,00

Ankle bandage Compry Cool

€145,00

Phase 2: Recover without overload

After a few days the pain usually decreases and the load can be slowly increased.

➤ Build movement

Rest is good, but sitting still for too long slows recovery. Therefore, choose light forms of exercise first, such as:

Misuse
Swimming
Walking

The movements during these activities stimulate blood circulation and accelerate the healing process without putting too much pressure on the calf.

➤ Continue applying compression

Stay also compression stockings Wear during this phase. Compact compression improves blood circulation and supports the muscle during light exertion. This reduces strain on the weakened muscle during movement. This prevents the injury from recurring and helps scar tissue heal more effectively.

Phase 3: Rehabilitation and return to sports

When the muscle no longer causes pain with light loading, it is time for targeted rehabilitation.

➤ Strengthening and mobility

Strength training for the calf muscles
Balance exercises to regain stability
Stretching to keep the muscle flexible

➤ Cold therapy in rehabilitation

Even during this phase, the Compry Cool with an ankle bandage, it can be valuable. After intense exercise or training stimulus, controlled cooling helps reduce muscle tension and accelerate recovery. This makes the device attractive to anyone who wants to recover quickly, from elite athletes to amateurs.
Tip: You can also Rent a CompryCool

Common mistakes when treating whiplash

You can't recover from a calf strain by just sitting still, nor by rushing back to normal too quickly. It's about finding the right balance in three steps: first, controlling the acute pain and swelling with rest, ice, and compression, then gradually accustoming the calf to light movement with continued support, and finally, gradually rebuilding strength and mobility. By cleverly combining cold therapy and compression, you give your muscles exactly the guidance they need to return to your sport faster and stronger.

Recovering from muscle strain? Discover how Compry Cool and PRO Compression Socks can help you recover faster and prevent recurrence: