What Causes Leg Cramps
Leg muscle cramps or foot cramping is a condition in which one or more muscles in the leg or foot contract and stay contracted. It generally occurs in the calf muscle, the thigh muscle or the toes. These cramps can be very painful and can last a few seconds or many minutes. This cramping can affect any age group, but is more commonly found among older people. 
Some methods for alleviating the cramp are massage and stretching. When you massage, do it smoothly along the length of the muscle. Sometimes “walking it out” helps. Here you are stretching the muscle, then allowing it to contract. Stretching alone can be beneficial when the cramp is in the calf or thigh. Point your toes upwards and hold for several seconds. It helps to do this regularly - not just when the cramps occur. You can also apply heat to the muscle with heating pad or ointment or by soaking in a hot bath.
At night make sure your feet and toes are not held down by the covers. Put something under the covers at the foot of the bed to keep your feet free of the weight.
But what causes leg cramps? It may be that your muscles are lacking potassium. One of the best ways to provide the postassium is by drinking coconut water. Coconut water contains many vitamins and minerals and is used for many health issues.
To learn more about this amazing healing substance I recommend Bruce Fife’s book: Coconut Water for Health and Healing
The cause of leg cramps can also be unusual exercise. Keep this in mind if you are starting an exercise program and ease into it gradually.
Make sure you are drinking lots of water before and after your exercise since dehydration of the muscles can also be a cause of leg cramps. The recommended daily amount is 8 glasses. Before you go to bed it helps to do some gentle exercise and drink a glass of water.
There are many interesting recommendations of what to do to stop leg cramps, including putting a new bar of soap in your bed at the foot, putting pressure on the space between your big toe and second toe or puttin pressure on the spot just under your nose.
Dr.Bruce Fife's book can give you much more information on stopping leg cramps with coconut water, and as I mentioned, coconut water has many many health benefits, including a remedy for leg cramps. Coconut Water for Health and Healing
Hilary Stewardson, Administrator
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