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Read more about the various causes and treatment methods of night leg cramps in greater detail.

Also called charley horse, with this cramping the commonly affected areas of the body are the calf, foot and the thigh. Although referred to as nocturnal leg cramps, they can occur at any time of the day or night.

Night leg cramps are not chronic and may last for about 10 minutes with possible soreness after they are gone.

These cramps are not gender specific and they might affect both men and women equally and apart from people who are more than 50 years of age, small children are also affected at times.

Some Remedies For Nocturnal Leg Cramps

Staying hydrated by drinking plenty of water, indulging in stretching exercises, wearing shoes which give proper support and maintaining a proper posture while sleeping, are some of the preventive measures that can be followed in order to reduce the frequency of nocturnal spasms.

Causes Of Nocturnal Leg Cramps

There are no such definite causes of nighttime leg cramps, however, based on assumptions and possibilities, there are some cases that have been linked with these cramps. These include overuse or overexertion of muscles, sitting in the same place for a long period of time or sitting in an improper posture and dehydration. Being dehydrated is considered as one of the causes of  cramps generally, as there is not enough water for transporting vitamins, minerals and other substances throughout the body.

Leg cramps while sleeping have been found to be common among expecting mothers and elderly, probably due to poor blood circulation in their limbs. People with a sedentary lifestyle are also vulnerable to leg cramps and they become prone to this disease if they do not maintain enough consumption of water for the body to remain hydrated. Nocturnal leg cramps have also been found common among people who have deficiencies of calcium, potassium and magnesium.

Certain medical conditions such as diabetes, peripheral vascular disease, Parkinson’s disease, endocrine disorders and medications such as contraceptive pills (birth control pills) have also been hold responsible for the occurrence of  leg cramping at night.

How To Treat Night Leg Cramps?

It has been found that people suffering from leg cramps and spasms increased the level of potassium in their diet and seemed to have reduced the frequency of cramps. Some examples of potassium rich foods are bananas, apricots, nectarines, dates, grapes or raisins, beans, the cabbage/broccoli family of vegetables, oranges, grapefruit and its juice, pork, lamb, potatoes and corn, saltwater fish (like tuna), tomatoes and tomato juice.

> Instant Leg Cramp Relief. Get It Now !

Pain from leg cramps, that might occur suddenly, after getting up from the bed, can be relieved by applying a hot compress and massaging the cramped muscles. Even soaking the affected leg in warm water reduces the pain to a great extent.

Another cure for leg cramps is the exercise of holding your toes to stretch your calf muscle. Pull them towards your knee and extend the leg straight out. This is an effective exercise which can be followed before going to bed and after waking up. While you are doing this exercise, you will feel the effect in the back of your calf muscles. Stretching the legs and Achilles tendons on a regular basis shows major improvements in leg cramps treatment.

The calves, when toned and well stretched, are less prone to developing cramps. For this, exercises such as ‘toe-ups’ and ‘wall stretches’ are helpful.

Being aware of such cramp treatments, comes in handy at times when there are less chances of getting any medical aid

However, in serious cases, where the pain becomes unbearable, a doctor should be the first point of contact. He is the one who can pinpoint the causes and provide the right remedy.

By Rajib Singha

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Sudden and forceful contractions of the leg muscles can cause leg cramps, which occur mainly during nighttime. Let us know more about leg cramps in bed

It is the contraction of muscles, which enables the physical movement of human beings.

But a sudden and involuntary contraction of a muscle or a group of muscles can cause cramps.

Such cramps may be accompanied by severe pain too. The most common among muscle cramps are leg cramps, which are also known as ‘charley horse cramps’.

Leg cramps are caused by the sudden and forceful contraction of leg muscles, especially those in the calf, the hamstring and the quadriceps.

Sometimes, even the small muscles in the feet can also cause cramps. Leg cramps are common among the aged and pregnant women, but young people may also experience this condition.

Leg Cramps in Bed
Generally, leg cramps occur when you rest, especially during the night. Such leg cramps are also called night leg cramps. In most cases, the contraction of calf muscles is the reason for cramps, but the thigh or feet muscles can also cause cramps. Leg cramps in bed may last for a few seconds to a few minutes, but in some cases, it may last even longer. The intensity of the pain also varies and in most cases, it is severe enough to wake the person up. Even if the cramp ends, the muscle may remain sore for some time. Most people experience occasional leg cramps, but for some people, especially, the aged, this problem can be more frequent.

What Causes Leg Cramps in Bed?
There is no precise medical cause for leg cramps in bed. According to research, cramps are caused when the muscles, which are in a shortened position, are stimulated to contract. This theory explains the relation between the sleeping position and the contraction of leg muscles. Most people sleep with their legs slightly bent and the knees pointing downwards. In this position, the calf muscles are in a shortened form and any contraction can lead to cramps.

There are many other contributing factors to leg cramps in bed, which can include some physical conditions. Night leg cramps may be due to dehydration, overexertion of muscles, pregnancy, hypothyroidism, excess alcohol consumption, some nerve disorder, etc. Prolonged sitting or lying down in the same position may restrict the blood flow through the concerned muscles and cause leg cramps.

People with low levels of certain minerals, like magnesium, potassium, calcium, and sodium, leg cramps can be frequent. Use of some specific medications can also be the cause of leg cramps in some people. Drugs may also worsen the situation for those who are already affected by frequent leg cramps. Narrowing of the arteries of the legs, leads to poor blood circulation to the legs and can cause cramps. There are many other common conditions, which can be the reasons for leg cramps in bed.

How to Prevent Leg Cramps in Bed?
The most common treatment for leg cramps in bed is stretching exercises. Though researchers have a different opinion regarding the efficacy of this method, many people find it beneficial in preventing leg cramps to a large extent. Regular stretching of leg muscles, especially those in the calf, is effective.

In case of leg cramps in bed, you have to be careful about the sleeping posture. Though, there is no scientific evidence to prove the same, expert opinion is that a proper posture, that prevents the shortening of calf muscles, can be of much help in reducing the occurrence of leg cramps. If you like to sleep on your back, then prop your feet up with the help of a pillow. When sleeping on your front side, try to hang your feet over the end of the bed. Make sure that the blankets are loose and do not force the toes and feet to point downwards during sleep. Check whether any current medication is causing these muscle cramps. Warm showers before bed time can help to some extent.
Remedies

> For a list of natural remedies for night leg cramps click here

In case of leg cramps in bed, try some stretching. Gently massage the area and if there is persistent muscle discomfort, you can have a mild painkiller. Quinine tablets are also effective, but it can cause side effects in some people, especially pregnant women. Try this medicine, only after consulting your doctor. However, exercises are the best way to get rid of leg cramps in bed.

By Sonia Nair

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Muscles spasms or muscle cramps can be described as that awkward stiffening feeling associated with sudden over shortening or contraction of muscles. This can often be cured effectively with slow and gradual stretching.

>>  Natural Cramp Relief. Learn More

Muscle and body movement

The word ‘muscle’ originates from the Latin word ‘musculus‘ and means the little mouse. It is a group of contractile tissues which has its origination in the mesodermal layer of germs cells of Embryo. Muscles with their contractile behavior are mainly responsible for body movements.

Muscle Spasms

In normal cases, these voluntary muscles start contracting when thebrain sends electrical signals along motor neurons, the nerve cells. These motor neurons act as a catalyst and stimulate the activation of calcium ions within the cells of muscle. There are two types of proteins present in the muscle cells -Actin and Myosin. The release of calcium ions leads to the interaction of these ions with proteins which results in the sliding of proteins past one another. These motions of proteins result in contracting the muscle cell by pulling their stationary ends. Recapture of ions causes the unlinking of proteins and results again in relaxing of muscle.

Muscle Spasm

Some times people have an awkward feeling of tightness in the muscles of their back, neck arms, or legs. Sometimes, sports persons, athletes or people involved in strenuous activities get cramps in their muscles. Both these forms are known as muscle spasms.

A muscle Spasm is an unexpected, sudden, abrupt involuntary contraction or over- shortening of any single muscle or group of muscles. It can be also a temporary and sudden rise of motion, energy. Generally it is characterized by a sudden burst of unpleasant, pain

Every muscle in body is susceptible to muscle spasm, although it is more common in calf muscles or muscles in the back or neck. When muscle spasm is witnessed by the body, the muscle does not relax after sudden stiffening. When it occurs in the leg, it is also known as Charley Horse.

Usually these muscle cramps crop up from simple fatigue of muscles, after sudden heavy exercise when the muscle is not habituated to such extra loads. It can also occur during pregnancy. However, there are a few instances when electrolyte imbalances or disorders in neuromuscular functions trigger spasms. Also, it can be a side effect of certain medication. The sudden movements, particularly a sudden, tweaking movement can catalyze spasms. Gradual and slow stretching is used as an effective solution in such cases.

The mechanism behind Muscle Spasms

In abnormal conditions, unusual contraction activity of muscle cells at any stage can result in these spasms. There is a certain mechanism between the brain and the spinal chord and motor neurons of the central nervous system to regulate contraction activity. Disruption of this system leads to spasm. Any of the following reasons can play an instrumental role in disturbance of the mechanism:

• Being over-sensitive, motor neurons may go astray in their functioning.

• Stimulation takes place without proper contraction as the muscle sheath itself is very sensitive.

• Released Calcium Ions may not get recaptured in time, leading to prolonged contraction of muscles.

Possible reasons behind the interruptions of the brain mechanism includes injured nerve pathways, stroke, trauma, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury and over stress on specific muscles. Sometimes, nerve damage can result in a Contracture, a permanent shortening of muscle.

Causes and Treatments

• Poor supply of oxygen to muscle cells is regarded as one of the premiere reasons behind spasms or cramps. This can be treated with deep and slow breathing. A soft massage and slow stretching can be very effective in such cases.

• Electrolyte Disturbance which includes Hypokalemia, characterized by deficiency of potassium and Hypocalemia, deficiency of calcium is other main cause. This can be overcome by introducing supplement diet containing calcium and potassium.

• Dehydration is perhaps the most instrumental factor behind cramps.Sodium loss in muscles due to dehydration produces limb and abdominal cramps. Drinking plenty of water with increased intake of salts can do the wonder.

• Muscle Trauma is an excessive stress on muscles causing mild to severe cramps. The affected area may be inflamed, swollen, or reddened. This is usually characterized by a snapping sound when injury occurs. Slow stretching is again very useful.

• Menstruation is also one of the important causes of cramps of varying magnitude in the abdomen. Menstrual spasms can be overcome with heat application using heating pads, stretching exercises, treatment of ibuprofen.

• Nocturnal Spasms are the muscle cramps that locate in the calves, soles of the feet at night or at the time of rest. They are painful if mixed with the condition of dehydration. These happen due to low levels of magnesium, calcium, potassium, and sodium and prolonged sitting.

So, whenever muscle spasms appear, it is of utmost importance that all preventive measures be taken like slow stretching and increasing water intake to counter the pain that otherwise might follow!

By Jayashree Pakhare

The following posts on electrolyte balance have been collected for you to choose from

Tolerating the Heat

According to a study done by Dr. Tim Noakes, it is “the amount of sodium and potassium in the body that determines the water balance, not the other way around.” Electrolyte balance affects your hydration balance. 

Foot Legs Cramps – How To Restore Electrolyte Imbalance

Foot and leg cramps generally cause by deficiency of potassium, sodium, calcium and magnesium, these elements are responsible to transmit electric signal from brain to different parts of body

Sodium balance and exercise

Several days of low-sodium meals, exhausting workouts and increasing water intake has severely disturbed his body’s electrolyte balance. Luckily, the sodium found in chopped and seasoned chuck steak and diet soda kept him from vomiting 

Technorati Tags: contract, contracting, cramp, cramps, fatigue, for, leg, legs, muscle, spasms, stretching, treatment

Cramps are a sudden, involuntary, painful muscular contraction, sometimes also called a muscle spasm

It is a sudden pain that you get when the muscles in a particular part of the body tighten, usually from cold or too much exercise and which often happens at night. Let’s have a brief journey through foot and leg cramps…

Muscle Cramp:
A muscle cramp is an involuntarily and forcibly contracted muscle that does not relax. There are varieties of causes and types of muscle cramp. Numerous medicines also can cause muscle cramps. Most of the muscle cramps can be stopped if the muscle can be stretched. Muscle cramps can be prevented also.

Foot and Leg Cramps

Cramps can occur in a skeletal muscle, but are common in legs, feet and muscles that cross two joints (e.g.: the calf muscle).

Cramps can involve part of a muscle or all the muscles in a group.

The most commonly affected muscle groups are:

(1) Back of leg/calf (gastrocnemius)
(2) Back of thigh (hamstrings)
(3) Front of thigh (quadriceps)
(4) Feet, hands, arms and abdomen.

The intensity of muscle cramps ranges from slight to severe pain. A cramp feels rock hard and last for a few seconds to several minutes or longer. It is common for cramps to ease up and then return several times before they go away entirely.

Causes:

The exact cause is not known, but experts think that it is related to poor flexibility of muscles, muscle fatigue or doing new activities. Other factors such as dehydration, depletion of electrolytes (potassium, sodium, calcium or magnesium), injuries, and inflammation and nerve damage can cause cramps. Cramps are more common during exercise in the heat because sweat contain fluid as well as electrolytes. When these nutrients fall below a certain level, the incidents of muscle spasms increase.

Athletes are more likely to get cramps when the body is not conditioned and therefore subject to fatigue. Cramps often develop near the end of intense or prolonged exercise or the night after at nighttime.

Treatment of Muscle cramp:
Muscle cramps usually go away without treatment. However if  it persists then:
(1) Stop the activity that causes cramp.
(2) Gently stretch and massage the cramping muscle.
(3) Hold the joint in a stretched position until the cramp stops.

Prevention:
(1)Improve fitness and avoid muscle fatigue.
(2) Warm up regularly before exercise and stretch after it.
(3) Stretch the calf muscle.
(4) Stretch the hamstring muscle.
(5) Stretch the quadriceps muscle.

Leg cramps:

Leg cramps or spasms are a painful tightening of the muscles in the leg. 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 night cramps occur during the night or while at rest. The cramps can affect persons of any age group, but they occur mostly in middle aged and older people. The exact cause of night cramps has not identified by the researchers. The problem is most likely with nerves controlling the muscles rather than with the muscles themselves.

Causes:
The cramps are caused by overexertion of muscles, structural disorders, standing on concrete, prolonged sitting, inappropriate leg positions, or dehydration. Less common causes include diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, hypoglycemia, anemia, thyroid, endocrine disorders and use of some medications. Low levels of certain minerals known as electrolytes have been linked to leg cramps. Certain drugs, pregnant women and dialysis patients often complain of leg cramps.

Treatment:
(1) When cramping occurs, try walking on the affected leg and elevate it.
(2) Stretch your calf by grabbing toes and pulling them upward towards your knee, especially with your leg extended straight.
(3) Take a hot shower bath or apply an ice massage to the cramped muscle.

Persistent or severe cramps are often treated with medication

Prevention:
To prevent cramping consider a regular use of electrolytes. Stretching your calves regularly during the day and at night will help. Prevent night cramps by stretching you calf muscles with wall pushups and applying a heating pad for ten minutes before going to bed. Keeping the blanket loose at the foot will prevent unnatural positioning of your feet which can cause night cramps.

Foot cramps:
A Foot cramp is the tightening or painful contraction in the middle of the foot and tries to crush the foot in a kind of vice. In many cases, the deep muscles in the foot actually knot up and contract.

(1) An overworked foot can be susceptible to foot cramps.
(2) Poor circulation of oxygen being carried to the foot.
(3) Lack of potassium.
(4) Dehydration.
(5) Changing hormone levels.
(6) Pinched nerves- caused when the electrical impulse from the brain cannot reach the muscles.
(7) Alcohol or tobacco use
(8) Nutritional deficiency.
(9) Environmental toxicity such as poison from factories, contaminated water.
(10) Chemical sensitivity.

Treatment:

(1) Slowly pull the foot away from the cramping position and hold it there until the foot cramp disappears. Massage the foot for 5 to 10 minutes until feels better.
(2) Take a dose of aspirin or ibuprofen to relieve foot cramp.
(3) Elevate your foot to the level of your waist.
(4) Use moist heat on the foot cramp three times a day if it is chronic.
(5) Soak the foot in warm water.
(6) If necessary wrap the foot in an elastic bandage.
(7) If it is an athletic injury, apply ice pack but not directly.
(8) Stay off your foot and give a chance to heal.
(9) See a doctor if it is chronic.

By Jayashree Pakhare

Preventing leg cramps

My grandmother suffered from leg cramps and used a camphor block in her bed. I too, minus the camphor, suffered night leg cramps for the last 25 years usually one leg would cramp followed very quickly by the other leg. 

Deal With Leg Cramps while Sleeping

The position in which we sleep – knees slightly bent and feet pointing slightly downwards, is supposedly conducive to leg cramps. This is said to be the basic cause of leg cramps while sleeping. The other causes of a leg cramps in bed … 

Leg Cramps While Sleeping : Foot Cramps Causes And Remedy

You could take a spoonful of either, daily, to prevent those nasty leg cramps in the future. Roll up a few blankets or bed sheets and place them at the bottom of your bed before you sleep.

Balanced Health: Leg Cramps

If you get leg cramps frequently at night, start a stretching regimen before bed. Try pressing your toes against a wall to stretch out the calf muscles; hold for 30 seconds, relax, repeat several times. CoQ10 may aid in relieving muscle 

Technorati Tags: calf, cause, cramp, cramps, foot, in bed, leg, muscle, night, nighttime, pain, relief, remedies, spasm, spasms

Leg and Foot cramps rarely interfere with our routine activities and shouldn’t be very worrisome. Yet, that specific span where one experiences foot cramps is particularly agonizing.

The frequency of muscle cramps in the foot or leg is more amongst sports persons and aging individuals. Feet being the organ of maximum weight bearing, foot cramps are more common than any other muscle spasms in the body.

What are leg and foot cramps? Causes of Foot Cramps
Foot cramps are jerky non-voluntary spasms in a muscle or a muscle group extending from few minutes to few days. The aggravated pain is because of the muscle contracting without effective shortening of the muscle. Spasm might leave the muscle sore even after the pain is gone.

Which are the regions of the foot and leg affected?
Inner arch of the foot and toes of the feet, especially the big toe. Other common leg regions affected are thigh and calf muscles.

What are the causes of cramps?

• Sedentary lifestyle leading to obesity and muscle weakness
• Flat feet or hyper flexible joints
• Injury caused by repetitive motion
• Lack of muscle strengthening exercise
• Sudden increase in the intensity of workouts increases the pressure on foot
• Increased breathing during cardio exercises cause lower availability of calcium in blood
• Poor blood circulation and hence lower supply of oxygen in the blood as seen in alcoholics and smokers
• Electrolyte imbalance pertaining to low calcium and potassium levels as well as high magnesium levels are related to spasms. Potassium imbalance disturbs the magnesium and calcium metabolism necessary for normal muscle contraction
• Vitamin D deficiency
• Inadequate hydration causes depletion of body fluids leading to cramps
• Hormonal imbalance can cause muscle cramping
• Foot problems like tendonitis and plantar fasciitis
• Old worn-out footwear
• Diseases like Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, multiple sclerosis, illnesses of the nervous system, diabetes, tetanus and thyroid problems can also cause cramps.

What are the home remedies and medications for cramping?

• The leg or the foot region with cramp should be moved in a direction opposite to the cramp to relive the undue stretch on the muscle. To relieve the cramp in the toes, they should be turned upwards. If the muscle spasm is in the calf region, “forced dorsiflexion of foot” relieves the muscle contraction and pain within seconds. Here, dorsiflexion means elevating the fore-foot keeping the heel stable.
• Prescribed pain-killers can take care of the pain if severe.  Natural pain relievers may be preferable
• Applying ice packs to the affected region helps in acute cases. However if the cramp persists for more than a day, warm water is recommended to reduce the muscle soreness.
• Affected area should be given adequate rest and an elastic bandage is used for compression that would promote quick healing.
• Massaging the cramped portion with ointment or massage oil helps reduce the muscle fatigue.
• Adequate supplements with professional medical advice is a must to correct the electrolyte and nutritional deficiencies
• The energy therapy EFT can also be instantly applied for quick pain relief on the spot

How can we prevent leg cramps and spasms?

• Reclaim physical fitness to avoid muscle pain
• Proper warm-ups and cool downs before exercising or playing
• Stretching exercises to increase the overall muscle strength
• Use of proper sports gear or exercise equipment reduces the chances of spasms
• Adequate hydration should be maintained with water and other liquids.

Know more about other causes of heel pain

• Plantar Fasciitis Symptoms and Treatment
• Heel Spurs as a Cause of Heel Pain
• Heel Pain Caused by Tendonitis

By Dr. Meenaz M

Leg Cramps While Sleeping : Foot Cramps Causes And Remedy

Foot And Nocturnal Leg Cramps. A cramp is caused due a sudden, painful, involuntary muscle contraction. When muscles in a particular area in the body contract, the sudden pain that you experience is a cramp. 

All Leg And Feet Cramps messages

I have written about my son Steve’s leg and feet cramps and a couple of you advised him to use a bar of soap in his bed at his feet at night. He is doing this and it does seem to be helping some. He got Ivory soap 

8 Ways To Read Your Body’s Warning Signs For Health

My own experience with leg and foot cramps at night is that I need to drink more water during the day, especially during the summer. I hope this may help you. .

Leg Cramping at Night

If the quantity of these essential salts is a little too much or is not enough to maintain proper muscle functioning, severe leg and foot night cramps could be the result. A diet high in phosphorous 

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Everyone seeks relief from pain. Read on for information about the treatment of leg cramps.

When I was younger I sometimes woke up with leg cramps and excruciating pain surging through my legs. Whenever this happened I massaged the leg and walked on it till the pain subsided. Various meetings with doctors proved that there was nothing wrong with me….Thankfully! Today, I would like to share the information I have gathered about the treatment of leg cramps with you.

Quick Cure For Leg Cramps

A pain that comes from a muscle in the leg is termed as a leg cramp. This pain usually occurs in one of the calf muscles which are located behind and below the knee and is due to a muscle spasm which occurs when a muscle contracts too hard.

Leg cramps last for a few seconds to a few minutes and usually occur at night, when the person is sleeping.

Leg Cramps – Who gets them?

These cramps are common in older people though many younger people have an occasional leg cramp too. It has been studied that about 1 to 3 people over the age pf 60 and about a half of the people over the age of 80 have cramps regularly. Sometimes these cramps occur everyday while in other cases it occurs at least three a week.

What are some of the causes of leg cramps?

Some of the factors that are said to contribute to the occurrence of leg cramps are:

• Dehydration
• Tiredness in the muscles
• Heavy Exercise
• Excess Weight
• Medications
• Electrolyte Imbalance
• Diabetes
• Sitting in the same posture for a long time
• Neuromuscular disorders
• Use of alcohol
• A decrease in the potassium levels

How can I prevent leg cramps from occurring?

To prevent leg cramps, you need to:

• Formulate an exercise routine and ensure that you build on it gradually. It is not advisable to have sudden increase in activity.
• Stretching helps relax muscles so it is important to follow a good post-work out stretching routine as this helps relax muscles and prevent cramps. Do not exercise vigorously just before going to sleep.
• Drink at least three full glasses of water every day as water is crucial in the prevention of leg cramps. Apart from water, make sure that you consume fluids in your diet before, after and during exercise.
• Include enough potassium into your diet.

How do I get rid of the pain caused by leg cramps?

In order to get rid of the pain caused because of a leg cramp you must:

• Massage the sore muscle.
• Gently stretch your leg and move your foot towards your knee, until you feel the calf muscles stretch.
• Go in for a hot bath or shower as this will help relax the muscle.

What is the treatment I can follow for leg cramps?

A massage and gentle stretching of the area that has been affected is usually the best method used to relieve an attack of the cramp. Though painkillers are not used for sudden attacks, it might sometimes be used to help ease muscle tenderness and discomfort which at times carries on for up to 24 hours after the cramp has gone away.

When do I consult a registered medical practitioner?

It is advisable to meet one when the cramps become a recurring problem. The doctor may advise you to have your blood analysed to ensure the levels of potassium and electrolyte are normal. He/she may also check you medical history and medications to ensure that they do not contain factors that contribute to the cramps in your leg.

By Rachna Gupta

Leg Cramp Relief | How to Stop Leg Cramps | Leg Cramping Remedy

Though the exact etiology is not known, nocturnal cramps in the leg are associated with muscular overexertion, structural disorders (like flat or high arched feet), and standing for prolonged periods of time or dehydration. 

Nocturnal Leg Cramps Causes

Nocturnal Leg Cramps Causes. Posted by avinash2157 on July 15, 2009. night time leg cramps. So what causes painful night leg cramps and what can be done about it? Waking up suddenly in the night with severe muscle pain in your legs

Can a Bar of Soap Relieve Nocturnal Leg Cramps?

There is considerable evidence–all unscientific–that going to bed with a fresh bar of soap may be the easiest route to a good night’s sleep for leg cramp sufferers.

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But what is special about this kind of pain is that, just as it comes on so suddenly and with such acute pain, so also it calls for   quick and immediate pain relief treatment  . Taking the usual route of pain relief drugs might not be exactlywhat you need because the effect is not immediate and anyone with the onset of a muscle cramp in the night wants relief ‘right here, right now!’.

In this case time is of the essence! No-one wants to wait in this situation

Rubbing the legs, which is often an immediate reactionary response, doesn’t actually work and often contributes to a worsening of the pain. The problem with muscle cramping is that the muscle becomes locked and very tight so it can’t just be shaken off or immediately exercised away and indeed trying this can even lead to more pain. So there is often a feeling of helplessness in the face of this spasm attack.

So what can be done about it?

When there are so many remedies and conventional treatments out there that don’t seem to work all that well it is really refreshing to come across a  self help technique  that not only works well but also so quickly. Those who learn to apply this amazingly simple technique are often totally surprised by its results and the comment ‘ What happened to the pain, it’s gone?’ is an often heard and exciting response

This natural, drug free and effective treatment is called EFT, short for Emotional Freedom Technique, and despite its name, works amazingly well and very quickly on physical pains such as those caused by muscle spasms and many more, where conventional therapies often fail. In fact this  do-it-yourself pain relief  procedure has shown remarkable results in thousands of clinical applications.

It is possible to obtain complete pain relief within minutes and there are thousands of glowing testimonials as to its effectiveness for this and many other painful conditions. In addition, besides a ‘quick fix’ the results can also be long lasting and in this case you can say goodbye to night leg cramps for ever.

According to the theory of EFT, pain has two main causes. The first is attributed to the imbalance of subtle energy flow. Repairing disruptions in these subtle energies by tapping on the acupuncture points or "release points" on the body can lead to  complete pain relief.

As the muscle immediately softens and the cramping dissolves, along with the pain by the simple application of the eft technique those who use it are often left in amazement at its power.

The second cause is said to be negative emotions. These are said to have an adverse effect on the body by triggering the release of nasty chemicals that lead to stress, constriction and pain. With a little finger tapping on the main acupuncture points and a specifically chosen focus, the body is given the signal to relax and as it does so, painful symptoms disappear.

So next time you find yourself in the middle of a painful leg cramp it might just be worth giving  the eft technique  a try. It is a remarkable gift to the world

EFT and Hypnotherapy, Emotional Freedom Techniques 

Attracting Abundance with EFT. I am getting so excited to assist Carol Look (my mentor) EFT Master at Omega Institute up in Rhinbeck NY in a couple of weeks. I have been at many of her Abundance workshops. 

Emotional Freedome Technique EFT – Attracting Abundance with EFT

EFT Daily mediation using positive affirmations. Attracting Abundance with EFT. http://www.successwitheft.com. Michele Price Skype: prosperityconsciousness. Teaching the world the easiest tool to make significant changes in your life. 

Attracting Abundance

She is a living example of working with the law of attraction, and clearing the blocks using the meridian tapping technique called EFT

Technorati Tags: cramp, cramping, eft, energy healing, muscle, night leg cramps, nighttime, remedy, spasms, tapping, therapy, treatment

The value of doing a warm up and stretching before any strenuous exercise  lies in having flexible muscles that don’t automatically cramp.

Regular and hard exercise does not necessarily equal great health. People who exercise or run are known to receive what the experts call exercise associated muscle cramps, these are caused by exercising and straining the muscles, later on when the muscle relaxes the muscle starts to tighten up. When exercising people will feel the fatigue in their muscles and this is a very common occurrence.

 Treatment for leg cramps 

Many runners suffer from calf cramps while running, the best remedy to stop the cramps is to let the muscle contract and finish its movement, rub the muscle and let the blood flow continue and the muscle will start feeling better. In many eastern cultures the best way to help with muscle cramping is to get the blood flowing again they do this by using acupressure or acupuncture to stimulate the blood flow to the effected area. If you do receive a muscle cramp stretch and squeeze the muscle this will get the blood flowing again, use some heat on the muscle and this will relax it.

Doctors have researched muscle cramps in tri-athletes and found some interesting findings; the cramps that athletes suffer from are not caused by blocked blood flow, dehydration, or vitamin deficiencies.

What about mineral salts? Does potassium prevent muscle cramps? Well, the advice is bases on loss of electrolytes theory and it now looks as though this theory may be unfounded

From the ancient orient there is a word Chi, the definition of this word is energy, energy of the muscle and energy of the body need to be in harmony. Muscles, the storehouse of energy in a living body, contract to help in the movement of different parts of the body. Another theory on the cause of running cramps says that carbohydrate depletion and a resultant loss of energy and build-up of waste products in the muscle leads to cramps.

It wasn’t so long ago that visualization techniques, stretching and yoga were introduced into sport and running and made an impact. When it comes to training and exercise, sometimes people are very impatient to do a stretching routine before they go for a run; most people don’t want to waste there workout time by stretching their muscles.

What causes an EAMC. There are many reasons why people get muscle cramps of the most common is because people do not warm up before exercising or training. Many people who exercise or don’t exercise receive excruciating pains in their muscles, the muscles tighten up and there is nothing you can do at that point because you can’t move, so before this happens or if you feel it happening rub some type of heat cream on the muscle, take aspirin, use a heating pad, or try to stretch the muscle to loosen it up.

 Pain relief for cramping muscles 

But does stretching before a run help prevent injury? But where do you get the energy from and enough of it to prevent cramping. Bodyworkers can play a role in helping their clients manage and prevent these types of afflictions by sharing some basic tips and information with them.

Author: David Fishman

How to Get Rid of Side Cramps

Loosen up: Side cramps are known to ruin runners’ plans for a good race. Try to loosen up before a race, so your abdominal muscles and organs will work perfectly when the gun fires. Have a friendly chat with your fellow runners 

Avoiding Runners Cramps

If you are suffering from cramps and muscle spasms then it may be to do with your diet. Preventing muscle cramps may just require a change in diet away from sugars and fats to fresh fruits and vegetables. 

How To Run in Hot Weather Wiki Guide  General Running

If you stop sweating and begin to feel dizzy or nauseous, stop running, get in the shade, drink some water, and get medical attention. Those are symptoms of heatstroke. Heat cramps, which usually strike runners in the legs

Help with Running Cramps: Potassium has Nothing to do with Running 

Running cramps, particularly running calf cramps, afflict everyone from the person going out for a morning jog, to elite athletes. And it’s not just runners that get cramps they can be a factor in any sport – tennis, swimming, golf

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Calf Muscle Pain -  is generally self induced and is caused mainly by too much exercise especially related to stretching.

Calf pain varies from micro tearing of muscle fiber to complete tearing of muscle fiber. Although it is generally around only for a short time it can also lead to cramps which can be especially uncomfortable if they happen during the night

Calf muscles are located at the back of lower leg. Calf muscle pain is generally associated with a short time recovery and is curable. It is generally self induced and is caused by too much exercise or lack of following the proper methodology in exercise especially related to stretching.

It can also be related to a sudden loss of essential fluids and salts due to excessive sweating.

And this can lead to the causing of cramps which is again primarily related in the first instance  to an improper way of stretching related to exercise. But leg cramps can also arise over the longer term too and this is often related to diet or as the side effect of taking certain medications.

There are various  treatments available to remedy calf muscle problems

And there are various options for treatment to help relieve the pain

The calf muscle is made up of three types of different muscles, two of gastrocnemeius and one of the soleus. These muscles should be stretched tolerably while doing exercise and after exercise too.

Causes of Calf Pain
Generally sports persons have more chances of getting calf pain.

The games like basket ball, running, hurdles, long jump, rugby, football soccer etc, where stretching is necessary, may increases the chances of calf muscle pain. We may also come across cases of calf pain due to fatigue, overexertion and cold weather.

an improper way of exercise and stretching of muscles are the main cause of calf pain. Sometimes putting sudden stress on calf muscle when they are not ready for stress and a direct blow on the calf muscle can also lead for calf pain.

In spite of these, excessive running on steep hills, deficiencies in calcium, minerals, magnesium and dehydration are the other reasons of getting the calf pain. Also pain in the calf may arise as the result of a herniated disc or varicose veins and other medical conditions.

Symptoms of Calf Muscle Pain

1.Stiffness through exercise – Sometimes there is stretching with some micro tearing of muscle fibers which are known as Grade 1 muscle strains. These are easily curable after treatment of at least 3 weeks of duration. Sometimes stretching may lead to Grade 2 Muscle strain where you may find partial tearing of muscle fibers. They can recover within 2 months of duration.

2.A torn muscle – This is graded as Grade 3 Muscle strain in which there is complete tearing of muscle fibers. This recovery may take more than 3 months of duration.

3.Aching calves – This can be caused by varicose veins and are graded as Grade 2 Muscle strain.

4.Cellulites – This is also known as inflammation of subcutaneous tissues or of the skin and one of cause of calf pain.

Treatment for calf pain

When a calf pain is diagnosed, its treatment depends upon the severity of the calf muscle pain. The treatment may include the following steps in orderly manner depending on the strain:-

1.To give a complete rest to your lower legs without following the activities of strain on it. This can be continued until the pain and local tenderness of the muscle are gone. It may hardly continue for 1 to 2 weeks.

2.You can always apply some cold pack or ice to the calf area 3 to 4 times a day. Keep the ice or cold pack in a cloth or towel and apply it on your skin for at least 20 minutes each time.

3.If you see some kind of additional swelling around your lower leg you can wear an elastic compression bandage to reduce the swelling of the part.

4.You can try keeping your leg at little height than your heart as possible to reduce the swelling. You can find the difference in 24 hours.

5.If your swelling still remains and you still have the tenderness in the calf with a pain then you can better go for pain relief medications such as aspirin or acetaminophen.

6.If you are a sports person and wants to return back to your physical activity then it is always suggested to use heat. For rest of then do not try to use heat at least for 4 to 5 days.

7.When you feel like most of the pain and swelling is reduced you can start with slight stretching exercise for at least 5 to 6 times a day. Remember the thing that your stretching activities should not be beyond your limitations.

It is always true that you can only help yourself from getting calf muscle pain and the best way is to keep yourself fit and your calf muscle strong and ready for sudden physical stress!  For calf pain or leg cramps at night find a remedy here.

By Jayashree Pakhare

Pain, Pranayama

When you say “relax my calf muscles, relax all nerves holding my calf muscle” lying down after aerobics you should have sensed the muscle going limp and resting peacefully. The same way in pregnancy you say “relax my pelvic muscles

How a Chiropractor Can Help A Herniated Disc

Pain that runs down the back of a leg and into the calf, or pain that spreads to the buttocks regions. Often pain in just one leg, but sometimes felt in both. Weakness, tingling or numbness experienced in the legs or feet.

Painful Vericose Vein  What should I do

It hurts when I’m sitting, or lying down or standing, and it won’t stop and is making my whole calf ache. My dad is scheduling me an appt. with the Doctor, but I’m really scared that it could be something else. 

Pilates Leg Exercises For Strength And Flexibility

They not only help to elongate and tone the muscles of the thighs and calves but they strengthen and stabilize the muscles of the pelvis for better walking and less hip joint pain. Position: All of these exercises are positioned lying on your side with your hips and shoulders stacked on top of each other. The head rests on the bottom arm and the legs are piked forward about 10 degrees for better balance.

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Muscles cramps caused by hypothyroidism

Muscles cramps and hypothyroidism are interrelated but do not consider it as the only reason for your regular muscular sprains. It is basically due to temporary contraction of muscular tissue which is experienced mostly at the time of excess physical strain. But if a person is experiencing a continuous muscular pain then it might be a sign of malfunctioning of the thyroid gland which in other words is also known as hypothyroidism.

Our body consists of voluntary and involuntary muscles. Voluntary muscles are the muscles which can be controlled by the human being themselves. There contraction and movement is controlled through the channel of brain and sensory nerves. However, if these muscles contract themselves and refuse to come to normal state themselves then it is called a muscle cramp. The reason for such a situation can be excess loss of fluid from the body due to prolonged physical stress which not only strains body muscles but also drains out water from the body.

Hormones like thyroxine define the energy levels of a person. It is basically the energy booster of the body muscles which processes body nutrients to provide energy to the muscles. Its level of production also defines how efficiently the food consumed is burned. Thyroxine is produced by thyroid gland. If thyroid gland does not produce enough hormones in the body then a person is likely to face  persistent muscle cramps.

Hypothyroidism is a hormone disorder which is mainly because of low levels of production of thyroxin hormone in the body. Thyroid gland is the most important gland in the body which not only has its individual function but regulates the working of other hormone glands as well. The thyroid gland looks after the growth and development of the body. It is also manages various other cellular processes as well. So, it is a very essential gland of our body which commands some very significant body functions.

For people having regular muscle pull thyromine is the best solution. It is a natural thyroid supplement that enhances the body functions by producing adequate amount of thyroid hormone. The best part is that it does not have any side effects. It can cure your muscle pains and injuries. However there are few precautions one needs to take along with regular medication. Here are a few precautions you need to take if you are suffering from hypothyroidism. Muscle cramps occur with excessive strain so do not over exert yourself. Massaging can be the best way to improve blood circulation. It will also enhance your muscular contraction and expansion which will give them strength and energy. Get a thyroid check regularly and keep your medication going until your thyroid gland works efficiently.

By Ryan English

Leg Cramps

The worst ones are the inner thigh cramps. They are crippling; and then the muscles are sore for days afterward. I think I get them when I am dehydrated. The “pinching the skin under the nose” trick has not helped me so far.

Finding Balance

5 miles later I got a small cramp in my inner thigh. This frustrates me because I’ve done lots of 12 hour days of climbing and hiking and have never had problems with cramping. But something about cycling — probably the insanely repetitive … Halfway up the climb, my right leg locked up and I knew it was game over.

How To Avoid Leg/Foot Cramps In Bed

Some doctors swear by these exercises to relieve nocturnal cramps, others aren’t sold. Either way, stretching will not hurt you, so if you try them and find they help you, that’s a good thing. Stretch your hamstrings, inner thigh 

How To Give Relief to Restless And Painful Legs

Glide up the leg from knee to groin, using one hand behind the other. This movement should be fairly slow and rhythmical. Make sure your movements cover the whole of the thigh area. Repeat four to five times. 3. Strokes the upper inner

It Must Be Noted

Two hours after eating Friday night, I had a vicious leg cramp in my left inner thigh. It was excruciating, and (in my mind) directly related to eating. Had I still been not eating, I firmly believe the cramp would not have happened. 

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