Muscle pain can stop you in your tracks. But is it a cramp or a pulled muscle that's bothering you? Though the terms are often used interchangeably, they are not the same thing. Understanding the difference between a cramp and a pulled muscle can...
Unlike a muscle cramp in your calf, a blood clot in your leg--a deep vein thrombosis, or DVT--requires emergency medical attention as a potentially life-threatening problem. People who suffer blood clots sometimes confuse the symptoms with those...
It sounds silly, but snacking on some bananas is a great way to ward off muscle cramps. Actually, any food that is rich in potassium will help your body naturally ward off muscle cramping. Most fruits and vegetables are good sources of potassium...
Those annoying muscles cramps that seem to be right under your ribs are sometimes called "side stitches." Difficult to isolate, they are thought to be the product of poor oxygen flow to and cramping within the working muscles underneath...
A muscle cramp happens when your muscle involuntarily contracts and won't release. Though they can affect any muscle under your voluntary control, they most often occur in the hamstrings, calves, or quads, according to the American Academy of...
Aerobics is a class of exercises that produce improvements in your heart and lung function by forcing you to repetitively use your body's large muscles. In certain circumstances, performance of aerobic exercises can trigger involuntary...
The role of calcium inside your body far extends beyond bone health. Calcium plays a substantial role in muscular contractions. A skeletal muscle contraction occurs when tiny filaments inside your muscle fibers attach to one another and slide,...
Almost everyone has experienced the misery of a muscle cramp. Maybe you've felt a sudden pain in your hamstring while jogging or were awakened by a leg cramp in the middle of the night. Muscle cramps are associated with many conditions and risk...
Athletes commonly experience muscle cramps due to the fact that they place great demands on their muscles. If you regularly engage in vigorous athletic activity, learn how to relieve muscle cramps when they occur, and take preventative steps to...
Bicycling provides a great workout that tests and develops your endurance, strength and sense of determination. Muscle cramps are a common obstacle facing cyclists who enjoy challenging and surpassing their limits. Understanding the cause of and...
Muscle cramps occur when the muscles tense, harden and tighten painfully. Muscle cramps can happen all over the body but most often strike the hamstrings, quadriceps and the calf area. Muscle cramps are related to physical activity and are very...
Muscle cramping can feel as if your muscle is tightening involuntarily. This often-painful condition can result from extreme muscle fatigue or lost minerals in the body that affect your muscle functions. Muscle cramps are most common in the calf...
A muscle cramp or "charley horse" can happen to anyone at anytime. Many different health conditions can lead to muscle cramps or they can happen without warning. Cramps are most likely to occur in extreme heat, to those who are inactive especially...
Both painful and potentially dangerous, a sudden muscle cramp from swimming can strike unexpectedly. No matter the physical status of the person affected, muscle cramps can affect anyone. When muscle cramps become a problem, there are a few things...
It's not uncommon for athletes to experience muscle cramps when they are engaged in rigorous physical activity. Learn how to effectively structure your workout plan -- and proceed gradually with training -- in order to avoid painful injuries or...
You've just finished an exercise session when you feel a throbbing in your muscles that you can't seem to control. Muscle cramps can occur due to a number of causes, ranging from lack of training to nerve compression. Another cause can be...
Muscle cramps can bring your daily activity to a halt -- the constant contractions cause pain and soreness. Also known as a charley horse, muscle cramping may be eased by careful stretching or muscle relaxants, although you can make changes to...
A muscle cramp or "charley horse" in the legs may come on suddenly and unexpectedly, then disappear just as quickly. It may wake you up in the middle of the night in agonizing pain, or interrupt your swim mid-stroke and leave you stranded in the...
A muscle cramp is an involuntary muscle contraction in which your involved muscle does not relax. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons states that though cramps may manifest in any of your skeletal muscles, the most commonly affected...
An intense sport that requires stamina, coordination and power, cycling brings with it the promise of a heart-pounding cardiovascular workout and painful, grimace-inducing muscle cramps. Whether you cycle competitively, to cut down on your carbon...
If you've ever been running or playing sports and had your legs or abdomen suddenly cause you intense pain, you probably have experienced muscle cramping. Muscle cramping can be due to a variety of causes and a low amount of electrolytes can play...
Caffeine may induce muscle twitching and cramps when you consume an excess amount of it. Other factors involved in muscle cramps include hot weather, loss of fluids or nutrients in the body and your body’s condition. You may experience...
Muscle cramps affect almost every athlete at one time or another. The telltale stabbing pain or sudden muscle spasm can throw a wrench into your training plans. By gaining a better understanding of the causes and symptoms of a muscle cramp, you...
Muscle cramps can be a very painful experience, and even debilitating to some people. Muscle cramps can involve several factors, such as muscle fatigue and dehydration, and occasionally your diet can even be the problem. A potassium deficiency can...
Muscle cramps are painful and temporarily debilitating involuntary contractions. There are many possible causes of muscle cramps, but increasing the amount of fruit in your diet might address some of the risk factors. Consult your doctor if muscle...
Muscle cramps are a special consideration for swimmers, since not being able to move might mean drowning. However, if you understand the facts about how muscle cramps happen, you'll be able to prevent them or keep them from turning into a more...
A muscle cramp is when one muscle or a group of muscles experiences sudden, full-strength involuntary contractions. Tiny tears in your muscle tissues may occur similar to muscular damage done by overexertion and weightlifting which can cause pain...
If you run or exercise regularly, chances are you have felt a muscle cramp at some point. Sometimes called a charley horse, a muscle cramp is characterized by tightness that can be very painful. In some cases, you can feel a knot, or bump, in the...
Creatine is a naturally occurring nutrient that can help rapidly restore energy during intense activity such as weightlifting or sprinting. Creatine also gathers a large amount of water and can cause imbalances in hydration and electrolytes,...
Muscle spasms and cramps are often harmless but can accompany serious medical conditions. Learn about spasms and cramps in this medical video.
Leg cramps are painful involuntary contractions of the muscles in the leg. Get expert tips and advice on massage and other treatments in this video.
Don't let a cramp put an end to your exercise workout. Learn what causes cramping and how to prevent it in this medical treatment video from a clinical dietician.
Learn how to run competitive cross country in this free video series on running and sports.
A birthing ball can be a great tool for strengthening abdominal and back muscles and relieving tension during labor. Learn how to use a birthing ball during pregnancy in this video.
