A cramp is an involuntary, often painful muscle spasm during which a muscle contracts and hardens. Cramps can last just a few seconds or up to several minutes. The arch of your foot is a common site for cramping as are the muscles in your calves,...
Football is a physically demanding sport that places a lot of stress on the legs. Due to the high-impact nature of the sport, football leads to a number of aches, pains and injuries to the legs. These often involve players' knees or ankles.
Hypocalcemia is a condition that causes foot spasms and other involuntary muscle contractions. The disease results from a loss of calcium in your system. Calcium absorption that requires vitamin D also may be compromised when you have a vitamin D...
Several circumstances contribute to the development of foot cramps during physical activity. In response, some salons and spas offer a pedicure targeted for people who suffer from foot cramps, called a sports pedicure. The service may offer relief...
Swollen ankles are a common problem for many people, especially seniors and pregnant women. Ankle swelling can occur for a number of reasons, including standing for long periods of time, being overweight, varicose veins or medical issues such as...
Although the muscles in the toes are tiny and delicate, they can produce intense pain when they are riddled with cramps. Often developing quite suddenly, toe cramps can make even the simplest activity painful. Preventing toe cramps involves...
If you’ve ever had a foot cramp strike just as you were about to attempt a trick on your skateboard, you know how painful and irritating these sudden muscle spasms can be. A foot cramp is not an uncommon occurrence, but fortunately...
While pregnancy may seem like the ideal time to sit back and relax, you may find yourself feeling more tired and stressed than normal. In addition to providing additional energy and preparing your body for childbirth, regular exercise during...
For most pregnant women, exercise is not only safe, but it is also encouraged. Exercise can help you feel better mentally and physically, but in some situations, exercise may put your unborn baby's life at risk. Exercise, per se, does not kill the...
Foot cramps usually are temporary and pass within minutes, but they can be excruciating and interfere with your activities. Cramps occur when the muscles in your feet contract involuntarily and may be accompanied by weakness, tingling sensations...
Feet cramp exercises are designed to help alleviate cramping in your feet as well as help you prevent regular cramping. Feet cramp exercises range from ankle and muscle stretching to strengthening exercises. While cramps affect people at random...
Considering your feet take a pounding while engaged in most types of exercise, it's not surprising that arch pain is a common problem. Common causes of arch pain include improperly-fitting footwear, improper form, flat feet and overexertion....
Numerous factors can cause hypokalemia, or low potassium levels, in females. Potassium is an electrolyte that is important for the proper function of your heart, nerve and muscle cells. Certain medical conditions or factors can cause women to...
Regular exercise is important for all people, including pregnant women. According to the American Pregnancy Association, exercise during pregnancy helps improve circulation and prevent back pain by strengthening the back muscles. There are many...
Most yogis are not born flexible. Remember, each time you practice yoga poses, flexibility is likely to increase. MayoClinic.com says that regular stretching of muscles not only improves flexibility, but circulation and range of motion. It also...
Centella asiatica, a perennial herb also known as gotu kola, produces fan-shaped, green leaves that are harvested and used for medicinal purposes. Native to China, Japan, India and Indonesia, the herb has a long history of use in these areas....
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is the name of a condition that occurs when a blood clot develops in a vein deep within the body. Most often, a DVT blood clot will occur inside the thigh or the lower part of the leg. If these clots move from deep...
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, is a severe neurological disease that affects about one to three people per 100,000 people globally, say experts at the Mayo Clinic. ALS manifestations include trouble...
Whether you're dancing in pointe shoes or still in soft slippers, stretching your feet before you do the most basic plies or attitudes is imperative in ballet. Feet stretching helps you avoid injuries from minor cramps to more serious ankle...
Leg muscle pain is a common complaint that is also described as muscle cramps. The hip, knee, shin, ankle and foot are all common origins of leg muscle pain. Leg pain can be generalized or specific to one area. Because the legs are necessary for...
Numerous conditions can cause a loss of appetite and unintentional weight loss. According to the MedlinePlus website, anorexia, or a decreased appetite, occurs when you have a reduced desire to consume food. In some cases, if you experience a loss...
There are two compartments separating the muscles of the calf. The gastrocnemius and soleus muscles are housed within a connective tissue sheath that forms the superficial posterior compartment. Underneath this, the tibialis posterior, flexor...
Each of your feet contains 26 bones, 33 joints and over 100 ligaments, muscles and tendons, according to Mayo Clinic. Over the years your feet take a beating and can develop problems such as pain, inflammation and ligament damage. Women are more...
Foot cramps can be a debilitating experience, particularly if you are engaged in exercises that require you be on your feet the whole time. You might be tempted to stop exercising, but in many cases, the cramps can be prevented by taking...
Severe cramps can be a painful experience, particularly if they happen in the feet. Your feet play an important role in almost all types of exercise, and painful cramping can easily cause you to give up your exercise session. The exact cause of...
Constantly cramming your feet into uncomfortable shoes, working them without rest and ignoring their cries for help can cause problems down the road. Neglecting your feet can lead to painful foot problems that may make walking more difficult. If...
Oral contraceptives, or birth control pills, first came onto the market in the 1960s.The number of available brands has grown exponentially since that time, according to Brown University. The hormones in oral contraception can alter the way your...
Reflexology is a fascinating study. Learn how to use a reflexology chart to treat various conditions from a masseuse in this video.