Leg cramps are an awful annoyance in the life of many individuals. They are painful and can leave lasting soreness for days after the acute cramping takes place. A leg cramp or charley horse can occur with no warning and can truly interrupt your life. So, what causes these cramps to occur? There are several reasons for leg cramps to occur and here are some of the most common causes:
- Dehydration – If your body is lacking water, it will cramp up due to a lack of nutrients being able to flow through the circulatory system.
Overexertion during exercise- If you work your muscles too hard they may begin to retaliate. Check out or article on 12 Reasons to Drink More Water.
- Insufficient stretching – If you don’t stretch prior to working out you may get a cramp from the strain put on muscles who were not ready to work.
- Magnesium and potassium deficiency – If your diet is not balanced and full of magnesium and potassium then the channels that regulate muscle activity will not be able to function properly. Fundamental Earth makes a great chelated potassium supplement.
- Poor blood circulation – If your body does not have sufficient blood flow, the legs may be the last place to receive enough blood and the muscles may begin to cramp to signal that there is a problem.
Home Remedies for Leg Cramps
Now that you know some of the reasons for leg cramps, let’s look towards some of the solutions.
Here is a list of ways to help:
- Ice – Icing the muscle is a great way to stop the cramp and ease the pain. Make sure an ice-pack is wrapped in a towel to ensure that the cold is not directly touching your skin. Amazon sells reusable ice packs that you can use at home.
- Heat – Heat is also a great way to ease the muscle pain you may be experiencing. A heating pad may soothe the muscle and allow it to relax.
- Homeopathic remedies – If you are prone to leg cramps it may be a good idea to take some preventive measures to ensure you have the vitamins and minerals you need. One great product is Formula 303 by DC Labs. This product uses the natural powers of valerian root, passion flower and magnesium to ensure your muscles have what they need to stay relaxed.
- Stretch – Get up and stretch with your weight pushing forward on your shin to allow the muscle to stretch and release the cramp. This can be hard to do at first, but it will stop the cramping.
- Massage – Although it may be painful to touch the cramped muscle, dig in and really give it a massage. The pressure will help the muscle to relax. If you can’t reach it, enlist the help of a friend to try and get the muscle to release.
Cramped muscles can really cause some pain and put a damper on the things you want to do. As long as you stay hydrated and stretch prior to any exercise, you should be able to minimize the pain that comes with leg cramps. However, if you are still plagued with a leg cramp, remember hot or cold, stretch, and massage for great relief options.