Treat And Prevent Muscle Cramps At Home
Muscle cramps are involuntary spasms or contractions of the muscles. They are usually very painful and can last from a few seconds to several minutes. It is possible that more than one muscle cramp occurs at a time.
You can suffer from muscle cramps in virtually any muscle. The most common areas are calves, thighs, feet, neck and abdomen.
In this article, we’ll talk about muscle cramps, their causes and prevention, and a few very helpful tips.
Causes of muscle cramps
Muscle cramps are caused by excessive nerve tension, which stimulates the muscle. This phenomenon is due to the following:
- strenuous physical activity (seizures may develop during or after exercise)
- lack of hydration (this is an important reason for the elderly and those who use dehydrating products)
- pregnancy (generally these seizures are due to too little magnesium)
- problems with electrolytes, mainly calcium and magnesium deficiency
- bone fractures (muscles involuntarily contract around the injury to protect the site of injury)
- metabolic changes (eg diabetes, hyperthyroidism, alcoholism and hypoglycaemia)
- nervous system disorders such as Parkinson’s disease, neuronal diseases or muscle diseases (myopathy)
- vascular disorders and varicose veins in the lower legs
- being immobile for a long time (sitting in a bad position is one example)
Prevent muscle cramps
To prevent muscle cramps, you should always stretch well before and after any exercise. This is especially important when the lifestyle is seated.
Hydration is also important before, during and after exercise, and so is avoiding exercise on very hot days.
Many suffer from nocturnal cramps mainly in the legs and feet. These are idiopathic, meaning that the cause is unknown, and usually there has been a problem with the person’s family.
If you often suffer from these cramps, we recommend a 15-minute stretching routine before you go to bed. We also recommend eating foods high in calcium and magnesium, as well as keeping your body properly hydrated throughout the day and physical activity.
Practical advice for those suffering from meat cramps
Stretching is the best way to prevent cramps, especially in the legs. However, it is important to remember that this is not going to work overnight. A person needs to stretch for a few weeks and every day to give the muscles more resistance to involuntary contractions.
Continuous stretching and good hydration solve the problem for more people with idiopathic seizures.
The best way to control hydration is to monitor the color of your urine. If you are very poorly hydrated, the color of your urine is intense yellow, and the smell is also intense. If you are well hydrated instead, your urine will be colorless and odorless.
Natural treatments and good tips
Potassium
Adequate potassium in the body helps prevent muscle cramps. Fruits such as kiwi and banana are especially high in this vitamin and are excellent products both in advance and to promote recovery.
How should it work?
- Always eat one banana before exercising.
- Drink an alternative banana smoothie.
Apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is an excellent treatment product for muscle pain, as it solidifies and helps to improve blood circulation. It can also be used externally.
What is needed for this treatment?
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
Do the treatment like this
- Apply fluid to those areas where you often suffer from cramps. A few light massage movements will probably suffice, and then leave the liquid to dry.
Arnikki
Arnik flowers are used to treat bruises, arthritis and stiff limbs. You can make a stew of Arnica flowers and then soak the fabric in the area you are applying directly to the liquid.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon arnica flowers
- 1 cup water
Do the treatment like this
- Pour a cup of water into the pot and add the arnik flowers.
- Bring the water to a boil and then put the heat away. Leave for 5-7 minutes, pour the liquid into a cup and then enjoy.
- Another option is to soak the fabric in the incubator and apply it to the area directly.
Try a massage
You can relieve the pain by rubbing the affected area with light rotating movements. Anti-inflammatory and analgesic creams and other similar products are also used by athletes, among others. They help reduce pain, relax muscles and improve blood circulation.
Rub the area to be treated lightly and in a circular motion – nothing else is needed!
