Muscle Cramps

There is nothing worse than the pain of a sudden, uncontrollable leg cramp.

Muscle cramps are certainly not limited to the legs of course- they can be experienced in the feet, hands, arms, stomach and just about anywhere else that there is muscle on the body.

Often, muscle cramps appear after a workout session or even after simple exercise if we are not used to it, so in these cases it is very useful to have a few home remedies to relieve muscle cramps on hand.

Causes of a Muscle Cramp:

The cramp is felt when the muscle spasms or contracts involuntarily.

The causes are usually as follows:

• Strains or sprains in the body
• Going overboard during a workout session
• Not stretching or warming up properly before and after exercise
• Dehydration
• Poor nutrition

Symptoms of a Muscle Cramp:

• Sharp pain that can restrict movement
• Tightened muscle

Natural Cures for Muscle Cramps:

Home remedies for muscle cramps are very easy to remember and should allow you to prevent cramping in the future if followed correctly.

Here are some popular natural cures for muscle cramps:

Fluids:

Keep well hydrated before, during and after any form of exercise to prevent a buildup of lactic acid in the muscles.

Water is the best home remedy to muscle cramps, but sports drinks may also prove beneficial.

Stretching:

We all know that we should stretch and warm up properly before we exercise but sometimes we rush and are bestowed with legs cramps as a result.

A natural cure to prevent this is to dedicate at least 5-10 minutes to stretching our muscles and warming up properly.

Eat Bananas:

Muscle cramps can be caused by a lack of potassium.

Rather than take supplements, it is a better natural cure to eat a banana at least once a day to keep your potassium levels up.

Massage:

This home remedy is instantly effective if you are experiencing a leg cramp.

Gently massages the area in a circular motion, then vertically up and down to loosen up the cramp.

Hot Shower:

If you are wondering how to remove muscle cramps that may be all over the body, taking a hot shower is a quick and effective way to reduce the pain and tension.

Chamomile Tea:

Another home remedy is to drink chamomile tea five times a day for two weeks.

This is said to get rid of muscle cramps permanently.

Black Mustard Seed:

Fill the bathtub with hot water and immerse a sachet filled with black mustard seeds and let it steep.

Then, let the cramped area soak for 15- 30 minutes depending on how severe the pain is.