For instant leg cramp relief, try a home-made remedy using natural ingredients and you won't need a doctor's prescription, ever.
Leg cramps are mistakenly believed to be experienced only by old people. They are characterized by the involuntary contraction of either a single muscle or a group of muscles in the leg. Although people complain a lot about leg cramps when they reach old age, leg cramps can occur regardless of age. Actually, age is hardly a determining cause for leg cramps, which makes it easier to use a home remedy for leg cramp. It is important to understand on the whole though, what causes cramps and how you can prevent them.
Generally, leg cramps occur in the calves or hamstrings and can last from under a minute to sometimes several minutes, causing severe discomfort. When experiencing a leg cramp, a person is usually unable to move the leg during that time. There are several causes that you can attribute to leg cramps. A few of them include dehydration, over-exertion during a workout, the intake of diuretics, excess weight, etc. However, there are home remedies that can be easily used for quick leg cramp relief.
Massage the Muscle
One of the most effective home remedies to treat a leg cramp is 'massage'. Massaging a leg suffering from cramps does not require a lot of learning. Firstly, start of by stretching the particular leg muscle. Your body's instinct will guide you into stretching the muscle in the right direction. The direction that causes more discomfort, well, stay away from that! Gentle stretches in the right direction are a great start. If your calves are cramped up, stretch your leg straight up and curl your toes upwards towards your head; that usually helps instantly. Gently massaging the effected muscle with your hands and easing the muscle into its natural position is also a great way to relax the muscle. For more leg cramp relief, a warm shower can work magic. Sometimes applying ice on the affected area can be alleviate the leg cramps too. Further treatments include applying a nice warm towel to the affected area for a soothing effect.
Diet
Having the right diet if you exercise or work a lot can help you prevent regular leg cramps. The best solution for leg cramps probably is prevention and can save you from going through several steps to get leg cramp relief. Your diet should include lots and lots of water and potassium and calcium rich foods. Having these too substances at optimum levels in your body usually prevents leg cramps unless you have a muscle disease. Also, remember to have a diet rich in calcium and potassium. Mostly, when these two essential body and bone components are insufficient in the body, you are likely to suffer from leg cramps.
Raspberry leaves Herbal Tea
Raspberry leaves can be used for making remedy for leg cramps. Simply boil 4-5 leaves of raspberry tree in 3 cups of water. Boil until only 1 cup water is left. You can drink this herbal tea any time of the day, but preferably in the morning. You are guaranteed to get leg cramps relief in no time.
Tonic water with quinine
Drink at least 2 glasses of water mixed with a few drops on quinine. This is a centuries old home remedy for leg cramps and perhaps the simplest one too. You may drink this either in early morning or sometime before going to bed.
Other Home Remedies
Other preventive measures that you can have as a remedy for leg cramps includes drinking plenty of fluids when you're about to start a work out, knowing the right amount of reps and sets your body can handle, not over-working at work or at the gym, etc. Also, having a thin cushion under your feet while you sleep can help your toes point upwards. This usually prevents leg cramps during sleep too.
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