Overuse of a muscle, dehydration, muscle strain or simply holding a position for a prolonged period can cause muscle cramp.
A muscle cramp is a strong, painful contraction or tightening of a muscle that comes on suddenly and lasts from a few seconds to several minutes. It often appears on the leg. It is also called a Charley horse.
Leg cramps that happened during the night usually come in the form of a sudden spasm or tightening of the muscles in the calf, feet, or thighs.
It often occur just as a person is falling asleep, or soon upon waking. The pain can be unbearable and can last from seconds to minutes. When the pain finally disappears, the muscles feel tight and may often still be painful.
The cause of muscle cramps are often hard to determine, but they can be brought on by several different conditions or activities, including:
– Potassium Deficiency
– Exposure to Cold Temperatures
– Kidney Disease
– Thyroid Disease
– Blood Flow Problems
– Certain Medications
– Dehydration
– Exercising
– Injury
– Overuse of Muscles
– Pregnancy
– Calcium Deficiency
– Magnesium Deficiency
Here are natural ways to treat muscle cramps:
1. Acupuncture or Massage
– Acupuncture can help to relax the muscles and get to the core of the problem. If needles aren’t your thing, try getting a massage on a regular basis to keep muscles from getting too tight.
2. Drink More Water
– Dehydration is a common cause of muscle cramping. Downing a bottle of water when you get a cramp probably won’t work as a quick fix, but making sure to drink enough water each and every day will help to hydrate your body on a regular basis and prevent cramping in the future.
3. Epsom Salt Bath
– Many coaches, therapists and personal trainers recommend this method for cramping. Take a warm bath with Epsom salts — It will provide magnesium to the outside of your body, and the warm water will help to sooth your muscles.
4. Magnesium
-If you don’t regularly have leg cramps that are not related to a more serious condition, try adding more magnesium to your diet. Nuts and seeds are excellent natural sources of magnesium. Talk to your doctor before taking any supplements.
5. Stretching
– Try to relax the muscle that’s cramping. Stop performing any activity that may have induced the cramp and lightly stretch the muscle. Hold the stretch and massage the muscle.
6. Stay Active
– Going for a walk can help to eliminate cramping due to the contracting and relaxing of the leg muscles. Keeping muscles from remaining still for too long and becoming stiff can help prevent cramps.
Additional Information on What to Do During a Cramp Attack:
– Be inform that the remedies listed above are preventative measures.
– Leg cramps during the night can be extremely painful and even feel paralyzing. Try to remember these few tips to help with the pain.
– You can get up from the bed if you can and try to move the leg; walk around to stimulate blood flow.
– You need to massage the muscle in circular motions.
– You need to make sure your sheets, blankets, and bedtime clothing are loose and breathable.
– Sit on the floor and extend your legs out in front of you. Flex your feet at the ankles and point the toes.
– Then use your hands to pull your feet and slowly stretch the muscles.
Source: Theartikulonews
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