How to treat Muscle Cramps using simple techniques

A cramp or spas, is a sudden painful, involuntary shortening of a muscle. They usually occur in the foot, calf or thigh usually when you are exercising, playing sports or lying in bed. Nighttime cramps occur when you point your toes lying in bed and the calf muscles contract.

Symptoms of Muscle Cramps

1. A sharp, painful tightening in a muscle. The affected muscle is hard to touch.
2. A visible twitching of the muscle beneath the skin can occur with more severe cramps.

Causes of Muscle Cramps

Activity and inactivity both causes cramps. Medications taken for hypertension, wearing high heels when you are not accustomed to it, poor conditioning, overexertion or muscle fatigue, imbalance of minerals in the blood due to sweating and dehydration are factors that can cause muscle cramps.

Natural cure for Muscle Cramps

1. Ice the muscle, to reduce blood flow and relax them.
2. Drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration (that causes muscle cramps) from excess sweating.
3. If a mineral imbalance is responsible for the cramp, drink an electrolyte replacing drink.
4. For calf cramps and hamstring cramps, massage the area gently with fingers.
5. Put your full weight on your heels to stop cramping in the leg.

Prevent Muscle Cramps

1. If you get nighttime cramps, try to sleep on your side and don’t tuck in your blankets and sheets too tightly.
2. Before you begin and during the course of the exercise drink plenty of water.
3. Don’t take salt tablets as it may cause dehydration, nausea and vomiting.
4. If you are prone to calf cramps, regular calf stretching exercises will help.
5. Stand with the balls of your feet on a step and lower your heels foe a gentle stretch holding on to something for a balance.
6. If cramps keep recurring, get your medications checked from a physician. And increase your intake of potassium rich foods like potatoes, oranges and bananas.