Treatment FAQ

what is the best treatment for leg cramps

by Hattie McKenzie Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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If you have a cramp, these actions may provide relief:
  • Stretch and massage. Stretch the cramped muscle and gently rub it to help it relax. For a calf cramp, put your weight on your cramped leg and bend your knee slightly. ...
  • Apply heat or cold. Use a warm towel or heating pad on tense or tight muscles.
Mar 3, 2021

What is the best home remedy for leg cramps?

Mar 06, 2021 · Massaging or gently stretching the muscle will help it relax. Heat is soothing to tense muscles. Apply a heating pad or warm wet washcloth to help loosen up the muscle. To avoid leg cramps in the future, drink plenty of fluids before and during exercise. Muscles need fluid to contract and relax properly.

How to stop leg cramps immediately [11 proven ways]?

Dec 08, 2021 · Here are some important steps you can take to prevent and relieve leg cramping: Wear compression hose if you have leg swelling. Get enough daily magnesium and potassium. Stay hydrated with water or electrolyte drinks. Limit caffeine and alcohol (dehydration causing) Warm up before exercise and cool ...

What foods help leg cramps?

Unfortunately, there are no pills or injections that instantly relieve a leg cramp when it’s happening. There are, however, ways that may prevent the cramp from happening in the first place (see the “Prevention” section). Can you get leg cramps at night? Leg cramps at night happen when you’re not very active, or when you’re asleep.

How to stop leg cramps immediately?

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How do I stop severe leg cramps?

How can I reduce my risk of getting leg cramps?Make sure that you stay hydrated – drink six to eight glasses of water each day. ... Adjust how you sleep. ... Gently stretch your leg muscles before you go to sleep.Keep blankets and sheets loose around your feet so that your toes are not distorted.More items...•Aug 3, 2020

What home remedy is good for leg cramps at night?

You can try the following at home to try to relieve a cramp:Massage your leg. Rubbing the affected muscle may help it relax. ... Stretch. If the cramp is in your calf, straighten your leg. ... Walk on your heels. ... Apply heat. ... Drink pickle juice. ... Take an over-the-counter painkiller if your leg is sore after.

What is your body lacking when you have leg cramps?

Mineral depletion. Too little potassium, calcium or magnesium in your diet can contribute to leg cramps. Diuretics — medications often prescribed for high blood pressure — also can deplete these minerals.Mar 3, 2021

How do I prevent leg cramps at night?

Treating Nocturnal Leg CrampsStretch the muscle.Get out of bed and stand with your foot flat on the floor. Press down firmly.Massage the muscle.Flex your foot.Grab your toes and pull them toward you.Ice the cramp.Take a warm bath.Mar 3, 2022

What drink stops leg cramps?

It's been suggested that drinking 2 to 3 ounces of tonic water before bedtime can prevent leg cramps at night.

Do bananas help with leg cramps?

Bananas: A Time-Tested Treatment You probably know that bananas are a good source of potassium. But they'll also give you magnesium and calcium. That's three out of four nutrients you need to ease muscle cramps tucked under that yellow peel. No wonder bananas are a popular, quick choice for cramp relief.Mar 6, 2022

Why does pickle juice stop leg cramps?

The science behind why it works While it hasn't been proven yet, researchers posit that pickle juice may help cramps by triggering muscular reflexes when the liquid contacts the back of the throat. This reflex shuts down the misfiring of neurons in muscle all over the body, and “turns off” the cramping feeling.

What are 5 common causes of muscle cramps?

What causes muscle cramps?Straining or overusing a muscle. ... Compression of your nerves, from problems such as a spinal cord injury or a pinched nerve in the neck or back.Dehydration.Low levels of electrolytes such as magnesium, potassium, or calcium.Not enough blood getting to your muscles.Pregnancy.Certain medicines.More items...•Jan 14, 2022

Which magnesium is best for leg cramps?

The Best Magnesium Supplements for Leg CrampsElm & Rye. ... Life Extension Magnesium Caps. ... Magnesium Breakthrough By BioOptimizers. ... MgSport High Absorption Magnesium. ... Klean Athlete Magnesium. ... Puritan's Pride Triple Magnesium Complex. ... MagWell With Zinc by LiveWell. ... Essential Elements Magnesium.More items...•Dec 10, 2021

How do you stop leg cramps in elderly?

Treatment for Leg Cramps in Elderly AdultsGently massage the affected muscle.Stretch (Straighten your leg if it's in your calf. ... Walk on your heels to activate the muscles opposite your calf.Apply heat to the affected muscle.Drink pickle juice, which is believed to help alleviate muscle cramps.More items...•Oct 27, 2020

How to treat muscle cramps?

You can usually treat muscle cramps with self-care measures. Your doctor can show you stretching exercises that can help you reduce your chances of getting muscle cramps. Making sure you stay well-hydrated also can help. For recurrent cramps that disturb your sleep, your doctor might prescribe a medication to relax your muscles.

How to help a calf cramp?

If you have a cramp, these actions may provide relief: Stretch and massage. Stretch the cramped muscle and gently rub it to help it relax. For a calf cramp, put your weight on your cramped leg and bend your knee slightly . If you're unable to stand, sit on the floor or in a chair with your affected leg extended.

How to get rid of a cramp in the back of the hamstring?

This will also help ease a back thigh (hamstring) cramp. For a front thigh (quadriceps) cramp, use a chair to steady yourself and try pulling your foot on the affected side up toward your buttock. Apply heat or cold. Use a warm towel or heating pad on tense or tight muscles.

What is leg cramps?

What are leg cramps? Leg cramps are sudden, involuntary, intense muscle pains usually in your calf, foot or thigh. You might also know them as a “charley horse.”. Sometimes the cramp may cause your leg to spasm – to tighten uncontrollably. Although painful to live with, cramps are generally harmless.

How to stop cramps in calves?

Try the following to prevent leg cramps in your calves: Stand about three feet (one meter) away from a wall. Lean forward. Touch the wall with your arms outstretched while keeping your feet flat. Count to five before you stop, and do it over and over again for at least five minutes.

What causes leg cramps?

Peripheral artery disease: Narrowing of the arteries. Also, peripheral neuropathy: Damage or dysfunction of one or more nerves. Cancer treatments like chemotherapy can cause nerve damage, which may cause leg cramps. There are rumors that leg cramps can also be a sign of the following conditions.

How to treat a calf muscle?

Try forcefully stretching the affected muscle (for example, stretch your calf muscle by flexing your foot upward). Jiggle your leg, massage it, or force yourself to walk. It might also help to apply ice or heat – use a heating pad or take a warm bath. (Read the “Management and Treatment” section for more tips.)

What is the best medicine for leg cramps?

Under your healthcare provider’s watchful eye, you might want to try the following: Carisoprodol (Soma®): A muscle relaxant. Diltiazem (Cartia XT®): A calciuim-channel blocker.

How to prevent a syphilis?

Ideas for a prevention plan include several activities you may want to do every day: Exercise: Do leg exercises during the day, and mild, brief walking or biking right before bed. Hydration: Drink eight glasses of water each day and avoid alcohol and caffeinated beverages.

What to do when you have a cramp?

When a cramp happens, try flexing the muscle, applying heat or ice and massaging the area . Appointments 866.588.2264.

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Treatment

Lifestyle and Home Remedies

Self-treatment: Self- care steps that may be helpful in some less- serious cases:
  • Stretching the affected muscle (eg. for a calf cramp, use a hand to pull the foot and toes upward)
  • Light massage

Preventive measures-

  • Not exercising immediately after eating
  • Gently stretching the muscles before exercising or going to bed
  • Drinking plenty of fluids (especially beverages that contain potassium) after exercise
  • Avoiding caffeine
  • Not smoking
  • Avoiding stimulant medicines, such as ephedrine, pseudoephedrine (OTC cold and flu medicines)
See a doctor if you notice:
  • It occurs frequently or if the frequency keeps increasing
  • It causes severe pain
  • Interferes in daily activities or work repeatedly
  • It causes leg swelling, redness or skin changes
  • It causes muscle weakness
  • It does not improve with self- care

See a doctor immediately if you notice:
  • Cramps in the arms or trunk
  • Muscle twitching
  • Alcoholism
  • Cramps occur after loss of body fluids (dehydration) or use of diuretics
  • Loss of sensation or pain

Alternative Medicine

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