Swimming is a great way to strengthen your muscles and burn calories, but a muscle cramp in your foot can cut your workout short. Muscle cramps are not usually a serious medical condition and can be treated with at-home care if your doctor approves. Treat foot cramps and learn how to prevent them so you can get back to your workout as soon as possible.
Symptoms
Foot cramps may occur in any muscle in the foot or the toes. You may feel a sharp, burning sensation and feel your muscles tensing without your control. When you look down at your foot, you may notice your toes or the arch of your foot contracting involuntarily. A foot cramp may also look like a dense lump of muscle tissue underneath your skin. Muscle cramps may continue to occur after you stop swimming.
Causes
Muscle cramps may occur during or after any strenuous physical activity, but foot cramps may be particularly common among swimmers. Muscle cramps may also occur because of inadequate hydration or muscle overuse. Your muscle cramps may be a sign that you need to drink more water or rest your muscles for a day or two. In rare cases, muscle cramps may be due to inadequate blood supply in your legs and compression of the nerves in the spine.
Treatments
Rest and hydration is the best treatment for muscle cramps. If experience muscle cramps that are too severe to continue swimming, stop and get out of the pool. Drink water and rest your muscles for several days. Massaging your feet or soaking them in warm water may help relax the muscles. In rare cases, your doctor may prescribe a muscle relaxer to reduce severe or recurring muscle cramps.
Prevention
Prevent muscle cramps by drinking lots of water throughout the day. Keep a bottle of water or a sports drink next to the pool so you can take sips while you swim. Stretch the muscles in your legs and feet before you start swimming. Do lunges, then point and flex each foot several times before getting into the pool. During breaks, massage your feet and stretch again to keep your muscles limber.
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