Is there a doctor in the house?

Oh I pulled a calf muscle and its really annoying the heck out of me. Every time I take a step with my right leg, I can feel how tight the muscle is and it really hurts. So far the only remedy I could think of was to put one of those heat wraps on it to try and relax the muscle a bit, but its really not producing enough heat for that.

Anyone have any ideas on what I can do? I'd really like to be able to walk without being all gimpy

For accute injuries like a pulled muscle, use ice packs. Only use heat for chronic conditions like arthritis. Ice will help with the swelling.

Also, it's important to gently stretch the muscle. You can do that by sitting down with your legs straight out in front of you. Get a towel and place it at the bottom of your foot and while holding onto 2 corners gently pull your foot up towards you. Hold for 10 seconds then release. Do that a few times a few times per day.

Take Ibuphrophen for the pain. Something like Advil or a generic store brand. That will also help with the swelling.

You're the best! Thanks so much

If you have someone that can do it for you, lie face down and have them knead from the Achilles tendon to about 3-4 inches below your knee. Lay their hands out flat and squeeze firmly, not hard enough to cause more pain, up and down the calf. You don't want to get all the way up to where the knee bends because there are lymph glands back there, which can be injured if squeezed too hard.
If you don't have anyone that can do it for you, or just want to do it yourself several times a day, you can wrap you hands around your calf, rest thumbs on th front bone, and squeeze going up and down, while moving your fingertips in circles as you rub up and down. You can even do it one handed if need be.

When I had my plantar fasciitis, my physical therapist recommended calf stretches. I would stand on the edge of a step with my toes on the edge, facing into the steps. Then lower my heel down and hold for one minute. It worked incredibly well to stretch my calves. I did it several times a day, whenever I was near some steps or if I was standing on a lift during surgery. Here's a "not very good, but you get the idea" picture to explain! Oh, and ice packs worked best for me too.