Natural Muscle Cramps Treatments

Muscle cramps refer to painful spasmodic contraction of muscles in the limbs. They may occur in any of the muscles in the body. They are, however, more common in the calf of legs and feet, as in these parts of the leg, the muscles are more easily strained. It is estimated that 50 per cent of the people between the ages 15 and 80 years suffer from cramps or abnormal sensation in the legs at some stage or the other in their lives.

Leg cramps are especially prevalent in old age. They most often occur or are aggravated at night and are quite disabling. Occasionally, they are very disturbing leading to depression in older patients.

Causes of Muscle Cramps

Muscle cramps are usually caused by dietary deficiencies of vitamins and minerals, particularly of calcium, potassium, magnesium, vitamins D and B6, or the body's inability to assimilate these nutrients from the diet. They may also result from oxygen deficiency in the tissues. Other causes of muscle cramps are mental stress, nervous irritability and other psychic factors. Muscle cramps are sometimes associated with menstrual cycle and menopausal disorders due to the influence of sex hormones on calcium metabolism.

The contributory underlying causes of muscle cramps associated with old age, where there has been adequate dietary calcium supply, are the lack of sufficient hydrochloric acid in the stomach, lack of dietary magnesium or Vitamin D, without which calcium cannot be properly utilized. Other causes include uraemia, peripheral vascular disease and neurological disability.

Natural Treatment for Muscle Cramps

Muscle cramps caused by nutritional deficiencies can be treated successfully through diet. The patient should take a diet which contains liberal quantities of all the essential nutrients. This diet may consist of seeds, nuts and whole grain, cereals, vegetables and fruits. The emphasis should be on calcium and magnesium-rich foods, such as green leafy vegetables, fresh fruits, particularly apricots, and soured milk products. The best sources of calcium are most vegetables, cereals like millet, oats, rice, sesame seeds, beans, milk and homemade cottage cheese.

The patient should avoid excess of citrus fruits, especially their juices, meats and excess of grains especially wheat, as all of them are deficient in calcium. Millets are the best cereals for relieving muscle cramps and they should be consumed liberally by the patient. Other foods which are valuable in this disease are sesame seeds and almond, especially in the form of milk.

The use of vitamin C and E in large doses has been found beneficial in the treatment of muscle cramps caused by Oxygen deficiency in the tissue. Vitamin C has been found valuable in the assimilation of calcium in the body and preventing it from piling in the joints. Vitamin E helps circulation in the legs. Leg cramps in some cases have responded to adding vegetable oils, which is a rich source of Vitamin E, to the diet. Organic minerals, especially potassium, can be helpful in cases, where the disease is caused by mental tension and nervous disorders. Elimination of contributory psychic causes are however, also essential in such cases.

Foot cramp may sometimes be caused by deficiency of vitamin B. Many strong persons also suffer from foot cramps because of lack of this vitamin. In such cases, it is essential to take Vitamin B6 on a regular basis. This vitamin can be taken upto 50 mg. daily for months together without any ill effects. It is however, essential that while taking vitamin B6, the whole family of vitamin B complex should be taken simultaneously, as too much of one of the B vitamins may cause imbalance of the other vitamin of B group.

Cramps associated with menstrual cycle and menopause can be treated successfully by large doses of vitamin E, B6 and B12. Certain herbs like Indian Sarsaparilla Magarbu or anantmue) and liquorice (mulethi) can also be used beneficially in treating such cases. Leg cramps during pregnancy can often be relieved by vitamin B6 and calcium.

In case of cramps associated with old age due to lack of hydrochloric acid, the addition of magnesium, vitamin D and two tablets of betaine hydrochloride after each meal can be helpful.

A useful method for relieving muscle cramps is to apply heating pad over the cramping area. Massaging the area will also be helpful. Persons suffering from leg cramps at night should keep their bed covers loose, or use a foot cradle at night to keep the weight of the covers off the feet. Those sleeping on their stomach may extend their feet over the edge of the matress to maintain a neutral foot position.

Certain exercise have been found beneficial in the treatment of muscle cramps. One such exercise is to lean forward, bracing against the wall with hands and arms. Keeping the heels on the floor, tilt forward to the wall until a moderate pulling sensation develops in the calf muscles. Hold the stretching position for ten seconds, stand up straight for a five second rest period of relaxation, and repeat the exercise for a total of three stretches. The exercises should be carried out three times daily.

Another exercise useful in muscle cramps is to lie flat on the back in a bed with the feet elevated for two minutes or until they become balanced. Sit on the edge of the bed with the legs dangling over for three minutes, or until the legs become pink. Move the feet up and down, flex the ankles in and out, massage and manipulate the toes, feet and lower legs. Lie back on the bed, cover with blankets to keep the legs warm, and rest for two minutes. This exercise should be carried out six times each, four times a day.

Lower back and leg exercises assist in improving circulation to the extremities. Sit on the floor with the legs straight out in front of you, with your feet against the wall. Slowly reach for your toes with your fingers, then sit back slowly. Reach for the left foot with the right hand, then the right foot with the left hand. With hands locked behind the head, twist slowly to the right to touch the left leg with the right elbow. Return to the starting position and twist, to the ieft.

For relief from cramps at night, turn over in bed on your back. Point your toes toward the ceiling. This position will probably break the clutch of the cramp so that you can get back to sleep. If not, get up and walk around. If that does not help, get into a tub of hot water until the cramp subsides.