The muscles in your buttock include your gluteus maximus, medius and minimus as well as the piriformis. These muscles work while you run, rotating your legs outward and inward and extending your thigh behind your body. Overworking these muscles...
Menstrual cramps might sideline you from your usual exercise routine, but if you stick it out and work through the pain, you might be rewarded with decreased cramps the following month. Exercise helps increase blood flow and circulation to your...
Dystonia and cerebral palsy are both movement disorders in which your muscles are stiff. However, cerebral palsy can also affect your hearing, vision, thinking and learning, says MedlinePlus.
Several companies now offer bottled water that's enhanced with electrolytes as an alternative to plain water and sports drinks. An electrolyte is a type of sodium that your body requires to maintain proper hydration. Your ideal balance of...
Many types of exercise can cause muscle cramps. If you have painful or frequent leg cramps, it may be a sign that something is wrong. Some cramps are caused by dehydration and loss of electrolytes, while others are caused by overworking your...
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...
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a widespread condition that obstructs the regular function of the colon's large intestine (colon). The University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC) says up to 20 percent of the population will have IBS at some...
Both blueberries and cherries have vitamins and minerals that you need to lead a healthy life. Both of them are good sources of fiber, and vitamin C. Blueberries are high in vitamin K, while cherries are full of potassium. By including both of...
Carbidopa is a drug used to treat people with Parkinson’s disease. It is classified as a dopaminergic agent, which means it affects the metabolism of dopamine, a signaling neurotransmitter that helps nerve cells to communicate with each...
Although the U.S. Surgeon General warns that physical inactivity is a major health risk, more than two-thirds of senior adults do not exercise regularly, according to the National Institute on Aging. Lack of exercise can lead to poor circulation,...
Potassium is a mineral your body uses to control muscle contractions. Menstrual cramps are painful muscle contractions that occur in association with certain chemical changes that begin in advance of monthly menstruation. Doctors can treat...
There are numerous causes of leg muscle pain. According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health or NIH, leg muscle pain is a common symptom and complaint. Leg muscle pain can be caused by repetitive overuse...
About 5 to 10 percent of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, patients live for more than 10 years after being diagnosed with the disease, notes the ALS Association. The subsequent medical costs can add up to a significant sum. While there...
Pregnancy can subject women to a variety of aches, pains and general discomforts. In some cases, restless legs syndrome (RLS), a neurological condition that causes unpleasant sensations in the legs when a person is at rest, afflicts women during...
Pain in the legs can severely compromise walking. Sometimes, this pain can occur as a result of a bone fracture or muscle problems. In some cases, a clot can form within the leg's blood vessels and cause severe pain.
Muscle spasms in the neck occur for a variety of reasons, including whiplash from an automobile collision, poor posture, or overusing or straining the neck muscles. Spasmodic torticollis, a condition that causes the head to turn to the side when...
Getting foot cramps swimming in a pool is painful, but cramping up in open water far from shore can be dangerous. Swimmers typically get cramps in their feet and calves, says Jessica Seaton, chairperson of the U.S. Masters Swimming Sports Medicine...
Calcium is one of the most important minerals in your body. As a major constituent of your bones and teeth, calcium lends strength to these structures. According to the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University, nearly 99 percent of your...
Although your stomach muscles always contract after you eat in order to break down food and start the digestive process, you don't usually feel it. Many disorders can cause stomach cramping after eating, some temporary and some chronic, some...
Chamomile tea is known to have healing properties and for many centuries it has been used as an elixir to cure a number of ailments, such as insomnia, back pain and anxiety. It's most common use, however, is as a muscle relaxer. A chamomile tea...
The human body requires a relatively stable internal temperature for physiologic processes to be properly carried out. Generally, when you are exposed to hot environmental conditions, your body sweats as a cooling mechanism. However, extreme heat...
Bananas are a healthy snack; they are low in fat and cholesterol and high in essential vitamins and minerals. If you suffer from frequent muscle pain, such as neck pain, you may have another reason to add bananas to your daily diet. The high...
Leg cramps, also called "charley horses," are characterized by a tightness in the muscles that usually involve an involuntary, painful muscle contraction that feels like a "knot." Leg cramps that take place while you are sleeping are called...
Muscle cramps are painful, involuntary muscle contractions. One of the main factors that causes cramps is dehydration. When a person sweats, he loses numerous electrolytes during the process along with water. The depletion of these electrolytes,...
Muscle spasms are painful involuntary contractions of a muscle. They arise with a variety of disorders. Muscle spasms occur either regularly or on a sporadic basis. This disorder is closely linked to nutritional causes. They occur more frequently...
A back spasm is a contraction of one or more muscles in your back. According to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, back spasms are likely to happen when your muscles are already inflamed or strained. The proximity of the muscle tightness to your spinal...
Leg cramps are a common occurrence in sports and athletic events such as marathons and bike races. There is also a type of leg cramp that takes place at night called "nocturnal leg cramps." Both of these have been coined "charley horses," and they...
In "Lore of Running," Timothy D. Noakes, MD, defines muscle spasms as painful, involuntary muscle contractions that occur during or after physical exertion. If you have experienced a muscle spasm from running, you readily relate to Noakes'...
Muscle cramps, or spasms, are painful involuntary contractions of your muscle. They often occur in large muscle groups that are frequently used, such as your lower leg or calf, hamstrings and quadriceps. You can also experience muscle spasms in...
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.
Muscle spasms and cramps are often harmless but can accompany serious medical conditions. Learn about spasms and cramps in this medical video.
Pinched nerves usually occur in the neck, but can lead to pain and muscle spasms throughout the upper back and arm. Learn how to treat a pinched nerve in the neck and stay fit in this sports medicine video.
Lower back pain can make many everyday activities painful. Learn common treatments to relieve lower back pain in this medical video.
