What can you do for body cramps?

Image: Cramps

Do you ever wake up in the middle of the night, feeling like someone has twisted your leg into an ungodly pretzel shape? Or do you cringe when stretching for that last bit of corn chips, afraid your hamstring will spontaneously combust with unbearable pain?

If so, then congratulations – welcome to Team Cramp! This article is dedicated to all those who have experienced this unwelcome guest and want some answers on what they can do to alleviate or even prevent these painful muscle contractions.

Know Your Opponent: Understanding Body Cramps

Before diving into what can be done about cramps, it’s essential first to understand precisely what we’re dealing with here.

A body cramp occurs when one or more muscles involuntarily contract, leading to varying degrees of discomfort and pain. These spasms often occur with little warning and typically hit at the most inconvenient times (like during sex, ugh). Common areas where people experience body cramps include:

• Calves
• Hamstrings
• Thighs
• Abdomen (if you know what I mean)

Negative factors such as dehydration; overworking certain muscles; not getting enough minerals such as sodium, magnesium and potassium; nerve compression or injury etc., can cause muscle contractions. However,sometimes there isn’t a scientific explanation — sometimes people just wake up from crazy dreams!

The Show Must Go On: Tips To Relieve Cramps Quickly

When a cramp hits, the first instinct is usually to rub it off or stretch until you hear a snap of your muscles (not recommended). Here are some tried and tested techniques for when quick relief is needed:

Massage

Pressing on trigger points; massaging areas where spasms occur can help iron out kinks in muscles.

Ice treatment

Cold packs that are applied over affected body parts typically provide instant relief from pain as ice helps numb nerves and calm abrasion.

Stretches

Some simple stretches like straightening out cramped leg muscle with upward-facing toes or squatting then sitting on feet help relieve tightness of cramps – but DO NOT force stretching too much

Getting Ahead Of It All : Prevention Techniques

Body cramps often come unexpectedly, so why not prepare ahead? Some relatively simple prevention measures can put people in better stead for minimizing cramping risk factors.

Hydration – Always Be Chuggin’

Drinking plenty of fluids beforehand especially if there has been an overly good sweat at the gym can reduce the likelihood of hitting by dehydrated muscles. Focus also increasing electrolyte intake through sports drinks etc,

Keeping Warmth Bestpal With Your Body

Keeping well wrapped up during colder days/seasons will prevent random exposure to chills that may affect specific nerve sets triggering sudden contractions.

Back To Pill Flipping

Taking over-the-counter supplements containing minerals such as magnesium and potassium, can ensure that our muscles are in tip-top condition.

When It’s Time To Bring Out The Big Guns: Medical Assistance

If home remedies aren’t making enough of a dent or if cramps seem to be recurring at an alarming rate – it is time call in the big guys: medical professionals. Some possible treatments for persistent (and more serious) cases include:

Acupuncture and Physical Therapy

To release tension and pressure on nerve endings via various stretches etc, a consistent means towards progress

Electrical Stimulation Treatment

Applying electrical currents to areas where spasms occur often enervate certain tissues/muscles into relaxation producing longer term results.

Body cramps; although irritating most times, usually aren’t any serious matter worth losing sleep over(unless there’s something else underlying). Hence with these prevention tips given , take these active steps prior while enjoying your dynamic life ahead!