What Is A Charley Horse?
Charley horse is just another name for muscle spasm that is marked by uncomfortable muscle contractions. It mostly occurs in the legs. Charley horses are mostly spasmsi XA sudden involuntary muscle contraction. in the calf muscles that occur particularly at night. When these muscle spasms do not stop for many seconds, it may result in severe pain. This condition is identified by the onset of the following symptoms.
Signs And Symptoms Of Charley Horses
The most common symptoms are:
Your muscles may tighten and hurt. The muscles may begin contracting, resulting in uncontrollable muscle spasms. Although these spasms are often brief, they may sometimes last for several minutes. Prolonged spasms can cause intense pain and discomfort.
Charley horses can be brief or last for several minutes, but no more than 10 minutes in most individuals. This condition is mostly infrequent, but frequent spasms might hint at an underlying health issue. A few factors that can be held responsible for causing a charley horse are discussed below.
What Causes A Charley Horse?
The most common causes of a charley horse are:
Inadequate or poor blood flow to the muscles Muscle injuries Exercising in an extremely hot or cold environment Overuse of specific muscles Stress, especially in the neck muscles Not warming up before exercises A compressed nerve in the spine Consumption of diuretics, which may lead to poor potassium levels Deficiency of minerals like sodium, potassium, and calcium in the blood Altered pH concentration in the blood Dehydration
A few factors can put you at a higher risk of developing a charley horse. They are discussed below.
Risk Factors For Charley Horse
Activities that involve sports or athletics Age – Infants and older adults are at a higher risk. Obesity Medications like diuretics or statins Smoking tobacco
Before moving on to the natural remedies that can help in the treatment of a charley horse, here are some basic tips you can follow to obtain relief right after you experience a leg cramp.
What To Do When You Get A Leg Cramp
When you experience a leg cramp, the following actions may provide immediate relief:
Stretch the cramped leg and massage it gently. If you have a calf cramp, put your weight on the affected leg and bend your knee slightly. If you can’t stand, sit on a chair or floor and stretch your leg. Follow with the application of a heat or cold compress on the cramped muscles.
Although these steps may provide relief, they are not permanent cures. Hence, you can give any one or a combination of the following remedies a shot for combating charley horse successfully.
How To Fix A Charley Horse Naturally
Home Remedies To Stop Charlie Horse
1. Foot Massage
Coconut or olive oil (optional) Do this whenever you experience leg cramps. Stretching and massaging the cramped muscles can help relax them. This also enhances blood flow to the affected region and offers quick relief from a charley horse (1).
2. Pickle Juice
2-3 ounces of pickle juice Consume pickle juice. You must do this until the symptoms disappear completely. Pickle juice is packed with minerals like potassium, sodium, magnesium, and calcium. Leg cramps can be caused due to a deficiency in these electrolytesi XKey minerals in the blood that regulate muscle and nerve functions and hydrate the body. , and intake of pickle juice helps in restoring their levels (2).
3. Epsom Salt Bath
1 cup of Epsom salt Water
Do this once daily or every alternate day. As you are aware, magnesium deficiency is responsible for recurring Charley horses. Soaking in an Epsom salt bath replenishes the magnesium levels in your body, which, in turn, reduces the inflammation and pain associated with leg cramps (3).
4. Vitamins
Your body requires various vitamins and minerals to function properly. Vitamins B complex and D are believed to work wonders for muscle cramps. In fact, a study has concluded that intake of B complex vitamin reduced muscle cramps in about 86% of the patients (4). Low vitamin D levels in your blood can also trigger muscle cramps (5). Thus, it is important to consume foods rich in these vitamins like meat, eggs, dairy products, whole grains, and green leafy veggies.
5. Lavender Oil
6 drops of lavender oil 1 teaspoon of coconut oil
You must do this right after you experience a leg cramp. The very aroma of lavender calms you down and soothes your anxiety (6). This, in turn, helps in relaxing your muscles. Also, the anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities of lavender oil help relieve inflammation, swelling, and pain in the affected area (7).
6. A Bar Of Soap
A small bar of soap You must do this every night. Although there is no scientific evidence for this remedy, many individuals affected by charley horse or leg cramps swear by this. It is believed that placing a bar of soap underneath your sheets, near your feet, can provide relief from charley horses in due course of time.
7. Heat Or Ice
A hot or cold pack You should do this whenever you are affected by a charley horse. A hot pack increases blood circulation to the affected area, providing immediate relief from cramps. Whereas, a cold pack can numb the pain and reduce swelling (if any) (8).
8. Apple Cider Vinegar
2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar 1 teaspoon of honey 1 glass of warm water
You must do this once daily. Apple cider vinegar is packed with nutrients like calcium and potassium. Since leg cramps are often caused due to mineral deficiency, restoring the lost minerals by consuming ACV can offer relief from this condition (9).
9. Turmeric
1 tablespoon of turmeric powder Coconut oil (as required)
Do this whenever the leg cramp strikes for immediate relief. Turmeric contains curcumini XA yellow chemical present in turmeric that works as an anti-inflammatory compound. , which is an anti-inflammatory compound. The topical application, as well as consumption, of turmeric can help reduce the inflammation, pain, and swelling associated with a charley horse (10).
10. Cinnamon
1 teaspoon of cinnamon powder 1 teaspoon of honey ½ cup of warm water
Consume this mixture twice daily, preferably every morning and evening. Cinnamon is a multifaceted medicinal plant with a wide range of benefits. Given its anti-inflammatory properties, it is no surprise that cinnamon can work well in relieving muscle soreness and leg cramps (11).
11. Honey
2 teaspoons of honey You must do this once daily. Honey has powerful anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties that can soothe the inflammation and pain that accompany leg cramps (12).
12. Baking Soda
¼ teaspoon of baking soda 1 glass of water
You must drink this right after you get a leg cramp. Baking soda is also known as sodium bicarbonate. Sodium deficiency can also be a possible trigger of your leg cramp. The intake of baking soda restores the lost sodium in your body and helps you get rid of a charley horse (13). You must also make some changes to your diet to combat recurrent leg cramps. Following the diet tips that are given below can help you recover faster from a charley horse.
Diet Tips
Foods that can help you fight charley horses are:
Sodium-rich foods like cheese, beetroot, celery, carrots, meat, and fish. Potassium-rich foods like melons, citrus fruits, bananas, avocados, and dairy. Foods containing calcium like sardines, salmons, leafy vegetables, nuts, and tofu. Magnesium-containing foods like legumes, soybeans, pumpkin seeds, cocoa, dark chocolate, dried fruits, and yogurt.
Since deficiency in minerals is one of the leading causes of charley horses or leg cramps, following these diet tips ought to help. There are also a few additional tips you must incorporate into your daily life to prevent the recurrence of this condition.
Prevention Tips For Leg Cramps
Stretch before and after doing intense exercises. Do not strain the same muscles on consecutive days while exercising. Do not exercise in severe weather conditions. Keep yourself hydrated by drinking enough water throughout the day. Drink electrolyte-rich sports drinks like Gatorade. Stretch before bedtime. Indulge in yoga exercises that require stretching like the Cobbler Pose, Stick Pose, Palm Tree Pose, etc. Quit smoking. Avoid consuming caffeinated drinks and drugs.
When should I call the doctor for a charley horse? You must see a doctor for a charley horse if:
there is a swelling in the leg you are suffering from severe pain there are skin discolorations
Is charley horse a sign of early pregnancy? Leg cramps or charley horses are quite common during pregnancy, especially in the third trimester. Is charley horse a sign of a blood clot? Charley horses are usually a symptom of a medical condition called deep vein thrombosis. This is often a result of a blood clot in one of the deep veins of your body. How long does a charley horse last? Charley horses usually last for a few seconds. However, in some individuals, they may last for a few minutes – but not more than 10 minutes. Can a charlie horse cause damage? No, it doesn’t. Though it is painful and needs proper care, it would not cause any damage to your body. How do you massage a charlie horse? Apply pressure to the site of the cramp with your thumbs. Maintain the pressure for 2–3 minutes. Massage until the muscle has relaxed, and then you may continue applying gentle pressure for a few more minutes.
