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Cramp
What is muscle cramp and spasm?
Cramp in a muscle is a sudden, involuntary contraction of a muscle that is beyond your control. It can be very painful and feel like the muscle or a tendon is about to break. Muscle cramp is also sometimes called a ‘tendon pull’. Cramps can affect different parts of the body and muscles, but are most common in the feet and calves. You can also get cramps in the stomach or cramps in the legs.
Cramps often occur at night when you are lying in bed.
What causes cramps and spasms?
You can get cramps after straining a certain muscle more than it is used to. Or after standing for a long time in a strenuous position. If you have recurrent leg cramps every night, it may be due to an imbalance in electrolytes and minerals, especially magnesium. A deficiency of vitamin B3, niacin, can also cause leg cramps. Often a lack of fluid, which causes an imbalance in electrolytes, can cause leg cramps. Cramps can also be due to poor circulation, which in turn can be due to inelastic blood vessels.
Why do I have cramps?
Lack of fluid is a cause of cramps as there can be an imbalance in the body’s electrolytes. You may have been exercising harder than usual and drinking poorly. Taking any diuretic medication can also increase the risk of cramps. Remember that coffee and alcohol are also diuretics. You may also be deficient in magnesium or vitamin B3.
Can I seek treatment for cramps?
Treatment at a FasciaClinic improves flow in the fascia and can reduce the risk of night-time leg cramps.
Cramps – What can I do myself?
When you have a cramp, you can gently try to stretch the muscle that is cramping. Massaging the muscle can help to release the cramp. It usually helps to stand up and walk a few steps more quickly. After a hard workout, it can be good to make sure to stretch the muscles that have worked hard, such as calves, legs, to prevent cramps.
Make sure you drink enough before and after exercise. Take supplements of magnesium, B3, vitamin E and sodium (Na), as you sweat.
Exercises for muscle cramps
After a workout, be sure to stretch out the contracted muscles and make sure they relax.
