Leg cramps can strike you anytime. It can strike you while you are walking, running, swimming, biking, when you are standing up and even when you are sleeping. It can be very annoying sometimes especially if you are strike in the middle of a meeting or an event.
You might wonder what prompt such severe pain. Causes can range from muscle fatigue to poor circulation. Bu you do not have to let this affect your day to day living. According to Patrice Morency of Sports Injury Management Specialist in Portland, Oregon, you can do the following remedies for leg cramp.
Acupressure Technique
Do you want instant relief from pain? then you can pinch away your pain. Using your index finger and thumb, you grab your upper lip and squeeze it for thirty seconds and the pain goes away. There is no exact explanation why it works but many athletes have claimed this to be very effective.
Massage
Another way to relieve pain from leg cramps is to massage the area using your fingers. Using your fingers tips, grab the cramping muscle and dip your fingertips into the cramp muscle for ten to fifteen seconds and then release it. You can do this again until the cramps is relieve.
Contracting Muscle that Oppose the Cramp Muscle
When you contract the muscles opposing the cramp muscle will make the cramp muscle relax. So for example if you suffer severe leg cramps in the calf muscle then flex the muscle that opposes your calf muscle that is the shin muscle thought pulling your toes to your knee. When the cramps are gone then slowly stretch the cramp muscles.
Keeping Yourself Hydrated
Leg cramping can result from being dehydrated so to prevent cramping make sure that you drink enough water to keep yourself hydrated. A cup of water every twenty minutes before and while exercising is the best.
Electrolyte Balance in the Body
There are instances when a body is well hydrated yet it still often gets cramp that is because your body may have electrolyte imbalance that is less potassium or sodium in the blood. If that is the case then try to have supplements to raise your level of potassium or sodium in the blood. There are sports drinks that can replenish potassium or sodium.
There are cases too that your leg cramps is a result from taking certain medications according to WebMD. It is recommended then that you call your doctor before you take another dose of that medicine. Talk to your doctor about it and your doctor may have to adjust dose, changed or stopped. If you are taking a medication which is not prescribed by your doctor then you better stop it immediately or you can discuss it with your doctor and ask if you can continue it or not.