How to get rid of a charley horse

How to get rid of a charley horse: This problem plagues athletes and sedentary folks alike. If you’ve ever been jolted out of sleep by a searing pain in your leg that leaves you gasping for breath, you know all too well how painful a muscle cramp can be. If you’ve never experienced a charley horse (sometimes misspelled Charlie Horse), you can count yourself lucky. In this article we share four of the most proven methods to overcome or prevent muscle cramps.

What is a Charley Horse?

A charley horse, as they are most often referred to, is an involuntary reaction that causes the nerves that control the muscle (usually the calf muscle) to misfire, causing the muscle to freeze and lock into a contracted position. A charley horse can be quite painful and can leave you hobbling around for a few days. Besides calf muscles, the muscles in the soles of the feet can cramp as well, which can also be painful. Cramps can occur in any part of the body when muscles over-exert. For example, a drummer might get hand cramps after performing outside at a summer event.

What causes muscle cramps?

There is a bit of a debate in the scientific community about what causes a charley horse because anyone can fall victim to this painful muscle contraction. They often occur in healthy people, sometimes striking at night for no apparent reason. Charley horses also often occur in middle-aged and older people. They are even common among athletes (long-distance runners and cyclists) and those who maintain active lifestyles. What is known is that certain groups are more prone to charley horses than others and that certain factors are likely to increase the risk.

People at Risk to Get a Charley Horse:

Here is a quick list of groups most at risk for muscle cramps:

Athletes
People who are dehydrated or who exert muscles in hot weather
People who work in the heat, such as firefighters and construction workers
People with certain medical conditions including nerve disorders, cirrhosis, an underactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism), and people who have electrolyte deficiencies from taking certain medications.
Women who wear high heels
The elderly
Pregnant women

Long-distance runners and cyclists, especially individuals who exercise regularly, often experience cramps. This may be purely because of muscle overuse. However, it may also be because these individuals have electrolyte deficiencies or imbalances after losing critical electrolytes in sweat.

Dehydration is another factor associated with getting a charley horse, which of course, affects athletes. Other risks include inactivity, anatomical conditions like flat feet, physical conditions such as pregnancy, or the use of certain medications. Women who wear high heels may experience muscle cramps because high heel-shoes position the feet and legs into a cramp-prone position. Being aware of these risk factors could help anyone take the following precautions to prevent or relax a charley horse.

1. How to Get Rid of a Charley Horse – Maintain Electrolyte Balance

A mineral deficiency or an imbalance of electrolytes – such as magnesium, potassium, calcium, and sodium – is also likely to increase one’s odds of getting a charley horse.

Electrolytes are certain minerals that play an important role in muscle function. Low levels of any of these minerals can allow the muscle to contract but prevent it from relaxing. Some researchers believe a mineral imbalance can negatively affect blood flow to the muscles resulting in a deficiency of some minerals. So, to get rid of a charley horse or prevent one in the future, consider adding essential electrolytes.

Potassium: A lack of potassium can interfere with the muscles’ ability to use glycogen, a sugar that is the muscles’ main source of energy.
Sodium: This is an essential electrolyte; however, most people get plenty of it in their diet. Sodium should only be a nutritional concern if your intake is low or you sweat a lot while working or exercising. If either of these two instances is the case, then replacing sodium is something you should consider.
Magnesium: An essential mineral involved in muscle function that helps muscles to contract and relax.
Chloride: An electrolyte that helps your body regulate the level of fluids in your body. Chloride’s role in fluid balance makes it especially important because dehydration can be a contributing factor to muscle cramps.

Click here to check out elete electrolyte add-in, which contains all four of the electrolytes listed above.

2. Prevent a Charley Horse – Supplement with Magnesium

A few years ago, researchers in the United Kingdom found that 300 mg of supplemental magnesium (as magnesium citrate) reduced nighttime or nocturnal leg cramps in individuals who suffered chronic leg cramps. Like magnesium, potassium is an electrolyte found in your muscles. In fact, when your muscles contract, they release potassium into the surrounding tissue.

Electrolytes are certain minerals that play an important role in muscle function. Low levels of any of these minerals can allow the muscle to contract, but prevent it from relaxing.

As mentioned earlier, pregnant women often experience muscle cramps. It’s no wonder given that there is a high need for magnesium in expectant mothers. Low magnesium is one of the strong theories related to muscle cramps. In lay terms, certain minerals cause muscles to contract, and one of the primary roles of magnesium is to signal when the muscles should relax. Without enough magnesium, a muscle might tense up without release.

3. How to Get Rid of a Charley Horse – Correct Dehydration

A third preventative measure, especially if you sweat in hot weather, exercise for long periods of time, or work in hot conditions, is to maintain adequate fluid intake. Dehydration can be life-threatening, but did you know that mild dehydration reduces your blood volume? This, in turn, can reduce the supply of oxygen to your muscles When the oxygen supply is reduced to the muscles, they can go into spasm. Be sure to drink plenty of water during the day interspersed with electrolytes.

But don’t rely on sports drinks to prevent muscle cramps. Many sports drinks contain as much sugar as fruit punch and usually only provide sodium and potassium.

Shop for elete Electrolyte add-in by clicking here.

4. How to Get Rid of a Charley Horse – Stretch Properly

If a cramp does occur, try stretching the affected muscles. For instance, for calf-muscle cramps try pulling your toes towards your knees with the affected leg extended straight. Or relax in a warm bath or take a hot shower (allowing water to hit the affected area) to help relax the muscle. Another idea is to gently massage the affected area, being careful not to apply too much pressure. You can also apply an ice pack to the sore muscle to reduce pain and swelling. If the area still hurts, treat it like you would an injured muscle, which means resting the muscle and avoiding any further strain.

Finally, if you have chronic or severe leg cramps, contact your doctor. It may be a sign of a more serious condition, so it’s important to check with your physician first.

Sources:

Leg Cramps at Night. Electronic version available online at https://www.digitalnaturopath.com/cond/C466089.html.
Prevention Magazine. The Complete Book of Vitamins and Minerals, Rodale Press: New York, 1998, pp: 319-325.
Roffe C, Sills S, Crome P, Jones P. Randomised, cross-over, placebo controlled trial of magnesium citrate in the treatment of persistent leg cramps. Med Sci Monit. 2002 8(5): CR326-30