Muscle Cramps: Causes and Treatments 

The definition of muscle cramp is a “sudden and involuntary contraction of one or more of your muscles. Can be painful and make it temporarily impossible to use the affected muscle.”

Muscle cramps are rarely serious and will typically disappear on their own.

The cause of muscle cramps is unknown and theories remain anecdotal and observed instead of sound experimental evidence.  Muscle cramps often occur in single, multi-joint muscles (calf, quadriceps, hamstrings) when they contract in an already shortened state.

COMMONLY DISCUSSED CAUSES FOR MUSCLE CRAMPING:

 •Muscle overuse/overload

 •Extreme fatigue

 •Dehydration

 •Muscle strain

 •Electrolyte imbalance

 •Neuromuscular causes

 •Exercise in hot/humid environments

 •Large sweat losses

 

TREATMENT

Moderate static stretching of affected muscle

Fluid replacement by mouth

Occasionally, intravenous fluid replacement

Ice/heat

Body position

TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation)

Massage

Compression garments

Physical exercise

Weight loss

 

PREVENTION

Proper fluid intake

Electrolyte balance

Neuromuscular retraining

Decreasing exercise intensity

Body position

Night ankle dorsiflexion splints

1.8 L per hour of fluids

1 L of water/fluids 1 hour before competition

Balanced diet

 

WHEN TO SEE A DOCTOR:

 •Cause severe discomfort

 •Are associated with leg swelling, redness or skin changes

 •Are associated with muscle weakness

 •Happen frequently

 •Don’t improve

 •Aren’t associated with obvious cause, such as strenuous exercise

 

 COULD BE RELATED TO A MEDICAL CONDITION:

 •Inadequate blood supply (normally go away after you stop exercising.)

 •Nerve compression

 •Mineral depletion (not enough potassium, calcium, magnesium

 

Reference: httpsrayerpt.com/blog/muscle-cramps-causes-and-treatments/