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Leg cramps, muscle cramps, idiopathic leg cramps and general muscle cramp issues – let’s try to stop them all today
Ouch. Cramps. From waking up in the middle of the night to stopping short of your new PB, cramps can be a killer. Leg muscles are obviously going to be tight from running all of the time, but the majority of runners don’t let it stop them from working out.
Muscle cramps may feel like a fleeting issue, gone as quickly as you can say the words themselves. But in reality, leg cramps aren’t always the issue, they can be symptoms of wider problems and can, of course, increase in severity over time. Because of this, leg cramps need to be taken seriously. Thankfully, treating muscle cramps is possible, plentiful in approach and can change your fitness game forever.
So, let’s briefly touch on how leg cramps occur, how to stop main areas from cramping (like the calf muscle), and stop sudden pain all round.
Basic Intervention
Stopping a cramp can be pretty simple, in essence. All you need to really do, due to the muscle contraction being the main issue, is try to firmly stretch the affected muscle. You can try to massage it, apply ice to it or, in some cases, use a heating pad. You want to return the muscle to its regular state, so motion is definitely a good way to counteract these tightening contractions.
If you want to prevent leg cramps, and other symptoms related to them, with medication, then you’re a little out of luck – no medication can offer that quick relief when it comes to muscle contraction.
The ‘Who’
You may also look to your current biological situation to understand why and then perhaps how to stop you from getting leg cramps. Muscle cramp occurs for a lot of people in a lot of different situations.
However…
If you are older, then you are more likely to have leg cramp issues. As you get older your tendons generally shorten, thus giving room for less range of motion and a smaller threshold at which the muscle can extend properly.
Cleveland Clinic also writes – ”You’re also more likely to get them if you’re a woman. Up to 60% of adults get leg cramps at night, as do up to 40% of children and teenagers.”
Knowing the cause to stop the what
Preventing leg cramps first demands that you know a little more about the reasons why they occur. You could take that because you’re old and it’s night time then you’re screwed and leave it there. But that would be silly. Calf muscles, muscle contractions, muscle spasms – it can all be stopped if you do the right thing and learn a little more!
So…
Causes for leg cramps may include
- Sitting for long periods of time
- Overusing muscles
- Stress
- Too much high intensity exercise
- Restriction in the blood supply
- Standing on concrete floors
If any of these apply to you, then you’ll be glad to hear that a simple (or horribly difficult) lifestyle choice can be made and your leg cramp issues halted.
Conclusion
If you’re suffering from these a lot, then I’d do some further research and go to a doctor.
FAQs
Are there such things as muscle relaxants?
They do exist, look them up.
