This article is all about how to get rid of leg cramps. Cramps will always come and go in various parts of the body. But for those who undergo foot and leg cramps regularly, the pain causes a lot of trouble that is hard to ignore. Most of the times the cramps occur so suddenly that you really don’t have much control over it. They mostly occur at night during sleep. They are sudden and painful. On most occasions, you feel the pain moving from thigh to calf muscles. Apart from muscle fatigue the cramps can be caused by other problems such as dehydration, nerve problems, nutrition imbalance and pregnancy. However, there are several ways to get rid of leg cramps fast.
Common Causes of Leg Cramps are:
- Nerves problem
- Diabetes
- Dehydration
- Weight gain
- Poor blood circulation
- Sudden and intense physical activity
- Low levels of potassium and calcium
- Medication
Remedies to Get Rid of Leg Cramps
Contents
1.) Ice to Get Rid of Leg Cramps
Ice helps to reduce the pain in your inflamed muscles. It’s best to start using ice mostly whenever you stuck with the leg cramp. The process of rubbing ice is very helpful to minimize muscle soreness. Thereby, take an ice-cube covered with a thin cotton cloth and rub it over the cramped area gently. Try to rub the ice cub for 15 to 30 minutes. Rubbing ice helps to reduce muscle soreness by increasing circulation.
2.) Massage to Get Rid of Leg Cramps
For maximum people, the instant reaction to a foot cramp is massage. You will need to apply pressure with your hand to the area of the foot that is cramping and press tightly on the place where you feel the pain. A hard or soft touch can be suitable depending on which one works best for you in reducing the pain. Massage reduces muscle stress and also helps in blood movement to the affected muscle.
3.) Stretching to Get Rid of Leg Cramps
A stretching exercise helps a lot when a foot or thigh cramp punch out of the blue. The stretching exercise involves elongating your leg in a straight manner. You can do this procedure in two steps once while in sitting position and then by standing straight stretch your leg properly. Stretching increases blood movement to the affected area to relieve the cramp. It is suggested that you should remain in a stretching position till the cramp goes away. This method can also be used as a preventive measure before going to sleep. As you will not face with cramps while in your sleep.
4.) Hot Compresses to Get Rid of Leg Cramps
A heating pillow on the affected cramp can reduce inflammation to decrease the muscle cramp. When using a heating pad make sure the temperature is low and bearable so that you don’t burn yourself. In most cases, hot compresses will make the pain fade away in just few minutes. Besides it will be sufficient if you put the heated pad over affected area for at least ten minutes. This will help you get away with the pain gradually.
5) Foods Or Drinks Rich In Vinegar to Get Rid of Leg Cramps
Vinegar contains acetic acid. It helps the body to increase its immunity and also improves muscle functionality. Drinking pickle juice or apple cider vinegar dissolved in honey and lukewarm water is beneficial. Eating any type of mustard will also provide speedy relief from cramps. This is why most athletes are seen with mustard sandwich packets which help them every time to fight cramps punch.
6.) Fluid Intake to Get Rid of Leg Cramps
As mentioned above, dehydration is among the causes of foot and leg cramps. So try to increase your fluid intake which is a great remedy. There are several circumstances that leads to dehydration such as kidney failure, diarrhea. These situation increases the danger of cramps. Similarly when there is excessive sweating during exercise or you are sick, it leads to excess fluid loss. Drinking a lot of water reduces muscle contraction which are caused by loss of salt, calcium, magnesium and potassium.
7.) Medications to Get Rid of Leg Cramps
At times this leg cramps are caused by a deficiency of various vitamins and minerals that are essential for the body. Calcium and magnesium supplements can help you to get rid of muscle cramps fast and easily. Those suffering from regular muscle cramps are often suggested by doctors to take muscle relaxants that includes Vitamin E supplements.
8.) Wear Appropriate Attires to Get Rid of Leg Cramps
Outfits are also one of the important factors to take care of in order to get rid of leg cramps. Always assure that you put on the appropriate footwear when going out for your daily activities or when exercising. Try to wear loose fitted and comfortable clothes in order to protect yourself from any kind of muscle pull.
9.) Toe Stretchers to Get Rid of Leg Cramps
Wearing a toe stretcher will ease the pain of a foot cramp. Also by wearing it at least for an hour a day will help you to avoid repetitive cramps. The toe stretchers helps in improving your bone arrangement. These stretchers also give support to your bone which reduces muscle tension around the toes.
10.) Drink Tea to Get Rid of Leg Cramps
Stress and anxiety are also known to generate your feet and legs to cramp in some cases. Chamomile tea helps to relax the body and taking a cup of this tea whenever you encounter foot cramp can help to ease the pain. The tea just supports you to calm down and decompress your muscles. This remedy will help you to get rid of leg cramps.
11.) Exercise to Get Rid of Leg Cramps
Strengthening the foot muscle helps decrease leg pain and it also reduces the appearance of foot cramps. Look out for some exercises that will help you to build your toes and calf muscles stronger. It will also ease the cramps and keep them aside for the night. If you exercise properly and regularly you will able to get rid of leg cramps.
12.) Taking Painkillers to Get Rid of Leg Cramps
Painkillers or muscle relaxants paracetamol or ibuprofen may help to reduce the pain. The medicine is usually needed in the most persistent cases which cannot be managed with physical exercises. When the leg cramps are a symptom or a result of taking some medication for a specific disease, some muscle relaxants are necessary.
You can also read the article on our website How to get rid of thigh cramp?
