A cramp is a moderate ailment that causes discomfort for a short period of time (a few seconds to a few minutes). This involuntary muscular contraction happens abruptly, generally in the middle of the night or during strenuous physical activity. Our recommendation is to keep the discomfort to a minimum and to go back to your normal routine as soon as possible.
What should you do if you get cramps? How do you get through them?
A cramp is a severe pain. It can be immediately alleviated with a few simple actions. First and foremost, the present activities should be halted.
Then, the Health Insurance recommends, “stretch and massage the muscle affected by the cramp.” If you have a calf cramp, elevate your leg and draw the tip of your foot upwards (bring the tip of your foot towards you). After you’ve finished this exercise, try walking on your heels for a few minutes. Remember to rehydrate by drinking lots of water.
It is best to stretch, stroll, or participate in sports on a regular basis to avoid cramping during exertion. Warm up properly, eat and drink enough to replenish your energy and water reserves, and finish your activity with relaxation and muscle stretching activities.
What medications are available to treat muscular cramps?
You may take an analgesic if the muscular discomfort continues after the spasm.
Night cramps: How to Get Rid of Them?
Cramps may occur at any time of day or night! To prevent these well-known nocturnal cramps, stretch the muscles often afflicted by cramps before going to bed.
“It is preferable in the bed that the foot is not in full extension, that is, the point of the tense foot.” The foot should be parallel to the leg. “Because the calf muscle is not at its maximum shortening, it is less prone to cramps,” suggests Health Insurance.
Sleeping on your stomachposition your feet out of bed or a pillow under your shins (leg bones); if you sleep on your back, position the sole of your foot at a right angle with your leg against a cushion at the bottom of the bed.
Stretching is a muscle-relaxing technique.
In what circumstances? From the beginning. If the muscle is already paralyzed, this is a must.
What makes it work? The damaged muscle suffers from calcium buildup in the muscle cell, which is exacerbated by a lack of hydration… resulting in acute discomfort in the affected limb and the inability to use it.
By resisting the mechanical consequences of contracture, stretching the muscle lifts the spasm and reduces discomfort. Pregalin 50 mg works by altering brain chemicals that transmit messages to nerves in order to lower the amount of pain you feel.
How do we proceed? Stop all action. Place the leg on a support.
To stretch the calf muscle fibers, the therapy consists of gently executing a passive flexion of the foot: tugging on the toes while lifting the foot. Complete with a local massage, says sports doctor Dr Éric Lorrain.
The cramp goes away, but the discomfort might last for many minutes or even hours.
Applying ice reduces cramp discomfort.
Priority is given to the athlete, but also to the family.
What makes it work? By delaying nerve impulses in nerve fibers, cold anesthetizes pain. Its analgesic action makes it useful for treating acute pain.
How do we proceed? As a last option, employ a cold bomb (available in sporting goods shops, pharmacies, and so on) because its impact is immediate. Spray once, around 15 cm away from the hurting spot.
Arteritis should be avoided in cases of local cutaneous, viral, or trophic diseases.
“I also recommend freezing a cryotherapy gel sachet (such as Cryogel or Dologel).” Dr. Lorrain recommends “applying the cover between the skin and the cold gel before use to avoid skin burns and leaving it in place for 5 to 10 minutes.”
What are your grandmother’s treatments for cramps?
In what circumstances? When you have recurring cramps, muscular tiredness, repeated motions, or circulation problems.
What makes it work? Plant extracts (harpagophytum, juniper, meadowsweet, Solomon’s seal) and essential oils (spruce, peppermint, rosemary camphor, wintergreen) work well on muscles and tendons. Warming, analgesic, calming, and anti-inflammatory properties are provided by the active components.
How do we proceed? Apply a general purpose gel (Cartimotil) to the sore region and massage in tiny circular motions during the cramp. “A second application one to two hours later is recommended if the cramp was severe and the muscle was still sensitive,” Dr. Lorrain says.
In youngsters, pregnant and nursing mothers, especially in cases of wounds or varicose veins, avoid.
Valerian has a calming effect that helps to avoid long-lasting cramping.
In what circumstances? Acute cramps that linger, in hypertonic persons with muscular rigidity, the elderly, and agitated people.
What makes it work? This plant’s active ingredients provide an overall muscular sedative activity that is soothing. Valerian inhibits nerve impulses, promoting muscular relaxation.
Begin the process? In this indication, the phytostandard form of valerian is chosen to provide the desired activity. Then, in persons who are prone to cramps, 2 capsules two to three times a day for many days as a preventative measure.
Avoid in pregnant women and children under the age of 12.
