Leg Cramp Remedies
Leg Cramps or muscle cramping is a condition in which one or more muscles in the leg get contracted. It is very painful and discomforting. It can affect any age group of persons, but are more commonly found among the elderly people. It generally occurs in the calf muscle, the hamstring and the quadriceps.
Leg cramps are an involuntary contraction of a single muscle or a group of muscles in the leg. These are usually painful and extremely discomforting. Leg cramps often occur in elderly patients, though age is no criteria as it is often seen in young people too. Leg cramps generally occur in the calf muscle, the hamstring and the quadriceps. The duration of a leg cramp may range from less than a minute to several minutes at times.
Massage the cramped muscle gently in the natural direction of the muscle. This remedy acts as a great pain reliever.
Stretching- For muscle cramps in your calf, stretch your leg with toes pointing upwards, towards the head. Hold this position for 30 seconds. This also eases cramps in the back of the thighs. For muscle cramps in your front thigh, pull your foot on the affected side towards your buttocks and hold for 30 seconds. Plan a good stretching regimen and follow it regularly to prevent future muscle cramps.
A useful method for relieving muscle cramps is to apply heating pad over the cramping area. Massaging the area will also be helpful. Persons suffering from leg cramps at night should keep bed covers loose, or use a foot cradle to keep the weight of the covers off the feet. Those sleeping on their stomach may extend their feet over the edge of the mattress to maintain a neutral foot position and prevent muscle cramps.
When beginning a workout regime, it is imperative that you do so gradually. A sudden increase or changes in physical activity levels can cause leg cramps. Keep rolled up bed sheets or blankets at your feet to prevent your toes and feet from pointing downward while you are asleep. Riding a stationary bicycle for a few minutes before bedtime could prevent cramps from developing during the night.
It is not well known exactly how dehydration and muscles cramping are related, but it is known that dehydration can predispose to leg cramps. Drink at least three full glasses of water each day, including one before bedtime. Also drink plenty of fluid before, during, and after exercise.
One pressure point is between and to the front of the space between your big toe and the second toe. Firm pressure with one or two fingers at the onset of cramp will stop it instantly. The other pressure point is the septum, which is the lower bone between the nostrils. Firm pressure on this point with the inside of the forefinger, at the first sign of lower leg cramps, will stop it dead. This last one sounds silly, I know, but please try it as it nearly always works.
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Staying bed for long periods of time also can cause leg or foot cramps. Leg cramps can be recognized by the sudden pain or discomfort in a leg or foot and a tight or stiff feeling.
Nocturnal Muscle Spasms And Cramps
What to do when you have muscle spasms at night when you are sleeping and some suggestions for cures for leg cramps.
Those nagging, painful and sometimes excruciating night leg cramps. They seem to come out of nowhere and when they hit, it’s like somebody’s taken a baseball bat to the bottom of your body.
The muscle cramps that happen in the middle of the night are typically caused by a deficiency of calcium and magnesium. Sources of calcium include dairy products, leafy green vegetables, seeds and nuts, and seaweeds.
Low potassium levels have been linked to leg cramps as well as dehydration. How is your diet? Do you take a multi vitamin? Do you drink plenty of water? Eat a banana every day - they are high in potassium.
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Tags: calf cramp, cause of muscle cramps, charley horse, cramps foot, quinine cramps
May 14th, 2009 at 9:20 am
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