Cramps are involuntary contractions of one or muscles that affect nearly everyone at some point, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Calf cramps, which are sometimes called charley horses, may occur in the lower legs following exercise, while sitting still or even during sleep. In most cases, calf cramps are not of medical concern. However, they may indicate an underlying medical condition if they occur frequently or last for prolonged periods. Consult your doctor if you are concerned about the frequency or intensity of your symptoms.
Step 1
Stop doing any activity and exercise that triggered your calf cramp. If you were sitting still or sleeping when your cramp began, change positions or stand up.
Step 2
Massage your calf to increase blood flow to the affected muscle. This will reduce the cramp and ease any pain. Rub the muscle gently to avoid increasing your pain or damaging your muscle fibers.
Step 3
Straighten the affected leg and point your toes upward, toward your body. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons recommends holding this stretch until your calf cramp subsides.
Step 4
Rub a cold compress against your calf or take a warm bath to relax your muscle and reduce any inflammation.
Step 5
Drink a rehydration solution to reduce calf cramps caused by excessive sweating and an imbalance of calcium, potassium, magnesium and salt. Increasing your daily fluid intake may help prevent cramps resulting from disorders or conditions that increase fluid loss from your body, such as kidney failure, diarrhea and alcoholism, according to MayoClinic.com.
Step 6
Take a muscle relaxant or other medication to ease calf cramps that fail to respond to home treatment. Muscle relaxants, phenytoin, chloroquine phosphate, carbamazepine, verapamil and some other drugs may be beneficial at relieving and preventing muscle cramps in some cases, according to the NYU Langone Medical Center.
Tips and Warnings
- Leg cramps are common during pregnancy and may be caused by weight gain, pressure from your growing baby or circulation changes. The American Pregnancy Association suggests elevating your legs, exercising regularly, wearing support stockings and massaging your feet and legs to prevent and treat leg cramps.
Things You'll Need
- Ice pack
- Rehydration solution
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