7 Home Remedies For Leg Cramps
If you suddenly experience leg cramps, characterized by painful, uncomfortable feeling caused by involuntary contractions in the muscles of the thighs, feet, or calf, relief may be obtained the all-natural way.
Whether your leg cramps occur in the middle of the night, while jogging (or engaging in other sports activities) or during the day while you’re at work, there are simple remedies you can do to ease the pain.
When leg cramps occur when running, you may be dehydrated or exercising too much. Cramps may go away when the affected area is gently massaged. Bringing the knee to one’s chest then grabbing your foot in an upright position may ease leg cramps. Gently stretching the muscles – the glutes, quads, calves, and hamstrings– prior to and after running is advisable. Upon reaching home and after resting a while, the heat from a hot shower/bath will also soothe tired muscles.
Leg cramps may also be a telltale sign of nutritional deficiency. Chances are, the person experiencing leg cramps may be deficient in magnesium, potassium, can calcium. Eating potassium-rich foods like bananas, raisins, orange juice, bell peppers, cabbage, parsley, turmeric, nuts & seeds can prevent general weakness, fatigue, and leg cramps. Other foods that help prevent leg cramps and offer other health benefits are spinach, low-fat dairy, avocados, and apricots.
Runners, in particular, need sodium; the electrolyte imbalance must be addressed. Even if you’re not into running, adequate hydration is essential. Abnormal muscular contractions result from loss of fluids & salts and severe depletion of energy.
It’s important for people not to ignore the signs of pain and fatigue. If leg cramps recur, consulting a doctor is imperative. Leg cramps may sign of the onset of certain conditions like restless leg syndrome, Parkinson’s disease, hormonal imbalance, a circulation-related health condition, and so on.
Another home remedy to ease leg cramps is acupressure. It entails knowledge about pressure points. Try pinching the bottom lip between your forefinger and thumb to ease the pain & discomfort.
When leg cramps occur, some people have noticed good results from drinking dill pickle juice. There are other natural home remedies for leg cramps, like preparing a concoction of apple cider vinegar, garlic, and ginger, garlic. Cider vinegar taken with some honey and water, naturopathic doctors maintain, can offer relief for individuals with muscle cramps.
A healthy diet that eliminates animal fat, has lots of green veggies (like salads), and incorporates a couple of teaspoons of cider vinegar diluted in water can be a powerhouse of essential minerals that include potassium and calcium.