Pulled muscle ( I think) - rest or excercise?

[tvrolet]

I've no idea why, but as of last week it feels like I've pulled a muscle - it's right at the top of my calf just below the knee, and there seems to be some swelling just above my kneecap towards the outside of my leg.

The only reason I can come up with - which seems a bit improbable to me - was I was skiing last weekend (as most weekends) and when I got home I fell asleep on the couch with my feet on a footstool, and when I woke up I felt a little strain on the back of my knees with legs just being supported at butt and angle. But the other leg is fine, but that's all I can think of - that I stretched something sleeping.

I need to get it fighting-fit as soon as possible - I decided to give skiing a miss this weekend, but I'm off on another jaunt next week.

How do I get this back to normal as quickly as possible? Is it best to keep the leg as immobile as possible - I can tape things up if necessary; or keep it moving with light exercise like just walking or a cross-trainer; or exercise it 'hard'? If keep it immobile the knee seems to stiffen-up, so it seems counter productive. But I'm guessing the discomfort is the body's way of saying 'I don't want to be moved', so not sure exercise is too clever either. It's not actually particularly painful so it's not pain relief I'm after - just the best way for a fix.

[Otispunkmeyer]

Maybe go see a physio?

My OH went over on her ankle a while a go and it was very sore. The physio has said to massage it daily, massage it so it hurts! as this apparently breaks up the scar tissue and keeps the ankle from stiffening up. But like I said, a Physio is bound to be your best option.