Natural Cures For Leg Cramps
Screaming and moaning can become the order of the night if you suffer from nocturnal leg cramps. Accompanied by intense pain and inflammation followed by swelling in the affected area, leg cramps can last anywhere from a few seconds to half an hour. Natural remedies can help you get rid of leg cramps effectively.
Leg cramps often occur at night while sleeping, but they can hit at any time of the day. While sometimes the cause is unknown, cramping in leg muscles often results from dehydration or muscle strain brought on by intense physical activity or exercise.
Nocturnal leg cramps usually interfere with the sleep process. Finding a quick solution to painful leg cramps becomes essential to avoid the trauma involved.
A host of natural remedies and treatments are beneficial in bringing relief from leg cramps fast. Some procedures may also help prevent future cramping.
Here are some natural home remedies that can help you get rid of leg cramps instantly.
Stretching
Stretching is a natural way to relax the muscles during bouts of prolonged contraction and spasms of pain. You may also stretch your muscles before you go to bed as a preventive measure.
For this stretch, you may use a towel, necktie or scarf, whatever is easily available. An easy stretch, this can be done without anyones help whenever you suffer from cramps.
Take up a seated position with your legs
stretched out in front of you.
Point your toes toward the ceiling.
Sling a towel around the arch of your foot,holding an end in each hand.
Gently pull on the towel in order to lift theleg.
Repeat several times. This will stretch and relax the calf muscles. When used as a preventive measure, be sure to stretch both legs.
This stretch can easily be done in bed whenever leg cramps bother you at night.
Assume a seated position with the cramped leg stretched out in front of you.
Slowly flex your toes, curling and uncurling them until your cramped muscles relax.
Massage
A cramped muscle usually becomes devoid of blood flow, depriving the muscle of oxygen and other important nutrients. Massage helps bring the blood and other necessary fluids back into the area, which relaxes the muscles and also helps alleviate the pain and stiffness. In cases of frequent leg cramps, regular massages may also help as a preventive approach.
Gently massage the cramped muscle withyour fingertips, working in small circular motions to stop leg cramps instantly.
If you wish, use an essential oil (with or without a carrier oil) to massage your legs.
If youre in too much pain, and thats usually the case, have a partner massage your leg instead. Advise your partner of the intensity of the pressure that you can bear to avoid unnecessary pain.
Repeat daily as needed.
Hot Pad, Cool Pad
Using a hot pad followed by cool pad can also provide relief during painful leg cramps. This method should not be used by people suffering from medical conditions like diabetes or migraines, which often result in numbness in the limbs.
Placing a heating pad over a cramped muscle increases the blood flow in the area, thus relaxing the muscle. The cool pad numbs the area to the pain and brings down the swelling.
Place a heating pad over the cramped muscle for about 15 minutes or until the muscle relaxes.
Place a cool pad over the muscle until theswelling comes down. If using an ice pack,place a thin cloth between the ice pack and your skin.
Avoid extreme hot and cold temperatures while treating muscle cramps.
Continue the treatment daily as needed totreat leg cramps.
Hot Soak with Epsom Salt
A hot soak using Epsom salt is a great way to alleviate muscle cramps. Epsom salt is basically magnesium sulfate. Magnesium is considered good at relieving muscle cramps. The hot soak in itself is also a great relaxant, which can not only help relieve muscle cramps but also prevent them.
Take a relaxing hot bath with 1/2 to 1 cup of Epsom salt when suffering from leg cramps.
Taking a long, hot soak before bed (withor without Epsom salt) can help relax all themuscles in your body, thus preventing anypotential cramps during the night.
Tips
Many times, wearing high-heeled and uncomfortable shoes may also give rise to leg cramps. Try switching to comfortable shoes and flats. Choose shoes that have cushioned insoles or arch supports.
Prop your knees over a pillow while sleeping. This may help prevent nighttime leg cramps.
A dehydrated body is vulnerable to leg cramps due to depletion of electrolytes. Keep yourself hydrated to prevent dehydration- induced cramps.
Recurring leg cramps may also result from a deficiency of sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium. To counter any deficiency, include foods rich in these minerals in your diet. You may also talk to your doctor about supplements.
Massaging the cramped area with warm clove oil may also bring relief from legcramps. Being anti-inflammatory, clove oil brings down the pain, inflammation and swelling in the area.
Source: Internet
