Leg cramps

What are different home remedies for treating Leg Cramps? – Part 2

What are leg cramps?

• Leg cramps are an involuntary contraction of a single muscle or a group of muscles in the leg.
• These are usually painful and extremely discomforting.
• Leg cramps often occur in elderly patients though age is no criteria.
• Leg cramps generally occur in the calf muscle, the hamstring and the quadriceps.
• The duration of a leg cramp ranges from less than a minute to several minutes at times.
• Night leg cramps or nocturnal leg cramps are problematic.
• They can be excruciating when they strike.
• Restless leg syndrome is not the same as night leg cramps.
• Leg cramps during pregnancy are known to also be problematic.
• These are mostly caused simply by the additional stress and strain on the muscles.
• This symptom will accordingly pass on with delivery.

Leg Cramps Symptoms

• Severe leg pain.
• Muscle tenderness.
• Inability to move the leg for the duration the cramp lasts.

Leg Cramps Causes

Some of the factors leading to the same are as follows -
• Muscle fatigue due to overexertion
• Rigorous exercises
• Dehydration
• Excess weight
• Electrolyte, hormonal or fluid imbalances.
• Side effects of certain medicines such as diuretics.
• An unusual or a different exercise than what is done normally.
• Diminished blood supply.
• Nerve abnormalities.
• Nerve and muscle diseases.

General Home Remedies for Leg Cramps

1. Healing Herbs tea
• This is an anti-pain.
• It is also a relaxing tea that will help prevent leg cramps and provide relief should they occur:
- 1 part St. Johnswort
- 1 part Passionflower
- 1 part Skullcap
- 1 part Chamomile
- 1 part White Willow Bark

2. Anti-Stress/Pain Potion
• GAIA Herbs
• 1 part Gaia Herbs Serenity Elixir
• 1 part Herb Pharm White Willow Bark
• A red flannel can also be wrapped around the area with pain.
• Use of coconut helps in curing the leg and knee pains.
• 1-2 teaspoonful of fenugreek powder in the morning water is also effective leg pain remedy.
• A gentle massage with Arthcare Oil is recommended to leg pain cure and to strengthen the bone tissues.

3. Massage oil
• Take 10 grams of camphor and 200 grams of mustard oil.
• Mix in a glass bottle and keep the bottle in the sun till the camphor dissolves.
• Massage the affected area daily.
• This is very good home remedy for leg pain.

4. Saffron solution
• Boil 1-teaspoon saffron in 1/2 cup water and divide this solution into three portions and take with equal quantities of water, thrice daily for a week.
• This is one of the effective home remedies for leg pain.

5. Various yogasanas
• Janusandhi
• Uttanpadasana
• Gomukhasana

Other Home remedies

• Make sure that you use appropriate footwear when walking that provide your feet with adequate support.
• Stretch your muscles gently with light exercise like riding a stationary bicycle for a few minutes before going to bed.
• This can help loosen up and strengthen the muscles.
• This would greatly limit the occurrence or severity of night leg cramps.

- Make sure that your diet is not restrictive
• A well balanced diet with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables should be taken regularly.
• This should provide you with all the essential nutrients you need. Mineral deficiencies can aggravate the problem of night leg cramps.
• The best way to get it to pass is by consciously relaxing your mind and body.
• Deep breathing is the most effective method of relaxation at such times.
• Lightly massage the cramped muscle with your hands using a soothing balm.
• A hot shower or soak in a warm bath should also offer considerable relief.
• Multi-vitamin and mineral supplements may help.
• Calcium, potassium, and magnesium deficiencies are often the cause for night leg cramps.
• Try and consume fresh fruits and vegetables.
• Whole meal varieties of grains should be taken.
• Fruits like dates and bananas are rich sources of magnesium and potassium.
• It would be best to get the required dosage of calcium from supplements that do not contain phosphorus.

- Some good dietary sources of essential minerals like potassium:
• Bananas, dates, grapes, apricots, and raisins.
• Pulses, cabbage and broccoli.
• Oranges, tomatoes and grapefruit, including their juice.
• Pork, lamb, and fish like tuna.
• Potatoes and corn.

Additional Tips to Cope

• Avoid using tight bed covers or restrictive sheets.
• Stretch the calf muscles with some light exercise for at least five minutes before going to bed each night.
• Take up a non intensive fitness regime like yoga or pilates to strengthen the muscles and also to loosen them up.
• Yoga is particularly useful as the breathing exercises and meditative practices.
• Yoga also helps improve circulation.

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What are different home remedies for treating Leg Cramps? – Part 1

What are leg cramps?

• Leg cramps are an involuntary contraction of a single muscle or a group of muscles in the leg.
• These are usually painful and extremely discomforting.
• Leg cramps often occur in elderly patients though age is no criteria.
• Leg cramps generally occur in the calf muscle, the hamstring and the quadriceps.
• The duration of a leg cramp ranges from less than a minute to several minutes at times.
• Night leg cramps or nocturnal leg cramps are problematic.
• They can be excruciating when they strike.
• Restless leg syndrome is not the same as night leg cramps.
• Leg cramps during pregnancy are known to also be problematic.
• These are mostly caused simply by the additional stress and strain on the muscles.
• This symptom will accordingly pass on with delivery.

Leg Cramps Symptoms

• Severe leg pain.
• Muscle tenderness.
• Inability to move the leg for the duration the cramp lasts.

Leg Cramps Causes

Some of the factors leading to the same are as follows -
• Muscle fatigue due to overexertion
• Rigorous exercises
• Dehydration
• Excess weight
• Electrolyte, hormonal or fluid imbalances.
• Side effects of certain medicines such as diuretics.
• An unusual or a different exercise than what is done normally.
• Diminished blood supply.
• Nerve abnormalities.
• Nerve and muscle diseases.

General Home Remedies for Leg Cramps

• Mix one tbsp of calcium lactate, one tsp of apple cider vinegar and one tsp of honey in half a glass of lukewarm water.
• Have this once a day.
• It will be helpful in treating leg cramps.
• Using hot water bottle on the affected area is also beneficial in treating and curing cramps.
• Massaging the affected area with essential oils, like lavender oil and rosemary oil and eucalyptus oil.
• After massaging, wrap the affected area with a towel dipped in hot water.
• Consume 2-3 bananas per day.
• It increases the potassium intake in the body, thereby relieving a person from cramps.
• Having 2 tsp of honey per day is helpful in preventing leg cramps.
• Increase the intake of foods rich in calcium, potassium and magnesium daily.
• All the three basic food groups is recommended.
• A red flannel can also be wrapped around the area with pain.
• Use of coconut.
• Eating 3-4 walnuts with an empty stomach in the morning provided relief from leg pain in a short duration.
• Intake of cod liver oil also helps in curing all types of leg pains and general weakness of the body.
• Drink plenty of fluids and oral re-hydration solutions.
• This is for the electrolyte loss and dehydration that are the most common causes of muscle cramps.
• Drinking liquids like caffeinated drinks or alcoholic drinks does not constitute towards your fluid intake.
• These are diuretics that will actually have the opposite effect on your system.

Leg Cramps Treatment

• Massage the cramped muscle gently in the natural direction of the muscle.
• This helps relax the contraction and ease the pain.
• A hot shower or warm bath is a good way to relax the muscle.
• Use cold packs on the affected muscle.
• This relaxes the tensed muscles.
• For a cramped calf muscle, stretch and massage the leg by straightening it and pointing the toes upward, towards the head.
• Use a warm towel or heating pad to alleviate pain or tenderness following a cramp.