(Newswire.net — May 6, 2020) —
Muscle spasms or cramp is an involuntary hardness or tightness around the muscle area. Cramps are common in the feet, arms, and hands. You can experience muscle spasms in the quadriceps, calves, rib cage, and the quadriceps. Muscle cramps can be very painful.
Muscle spasms are mostly caused by vigorous sports and heavy exercises. Pregnant women are prone to cramps because of the increase in weight. The uterine contraction in menstruating women can also cause muscle cramps. Research indicates that muscle cramps can be side effects of conditions such as muscular dystrophy and multiple sclerosis. The following are common home remedies for treating muscle spasms.
Stretching the muscle can help relieve muscle cramps. If you experience a muscle cramp, you should stop using the muscle. Let the muscle relax and stretch it out. Calf muscle spasms can be treated by stretching your leg towards your chin. You should then hold for about 30 seconds. This exercise can also be used to treat a hamstring muscle cramp.
Another activity that can help relieve muscle cramps is by massaging the muscle. This activity increases the blood flow in the muscle. You should rub the muscle deeply for a few minutes. If the cramp persists, you should try pinching the muscle hard. You should do this until you can tolerate it. You can also ask for assistance from someone else if you cannot reach the muscle. This activity is common for back spasms.
Treating muscle cramps with ice or heat can be very effective. This is also referred to as heat or cold therapy. If the spasm persists, you can apply a pack of ice on the area for about 15 to 20 minutes. The ice is wrapped with a thin cloth or towel and placed directly on the muscle. Placing a heating pad on the skin followed with ice can also help relieve the muscle cramp. Failure to apply ice on the muscle after heating can worsen the inflammation. Applying ice on the muscle will help calm down the inflammation. Other ways that can be used to heat the muscle cramp include a hot tub, a warm bath, or a spa.
Fluids such as water can provide immediate relief from muscle spasms. You should always hydrate when you are exercising. Moreover, drinking water should be a daily routine. You must consume water based on the weather, lifestyle, and individual daily water needs. Hydrating your body can reduce the likelihood of getting muscle spasms even when you are not exercising. Beverages and fruits with Lycopene are important sources of water that the body needs to stay hydrated.
Mild exercises can help relieve muscle cramps at home. You can ward off muscle spasms at night by engaging in light exercises. Research has shown that about 70 percent of adults experience leg cramps at night. Examples of exercises that you can engage in at night include jogging, riding a stationary bike, and walking around the compound. You should avoid intense exercises because they can interfere with your sleep.
Hyperventilation involves breathing faster and harder than normal. Research has shown that hyperventilating at about 30 to 40 breaths can help relieve muscle cramps. This activity may not be work for you if you are anxious because it can cause a panic attack.
Using non prescription remedies should be your last resort. Nonprescription remedies may include pickle juice, NSAIDs, muscle relaxers, and supplements. Drinking pickle juice helps in restoring electrolytes in the body. Supplements such as magnesium and salt tablets can also be used to treat muscle spasms. However, there is still limited evidence that shows how they are effective. Muscle relaxants include improving your sleep and drinking chamomile tea. NSAIDs help in reducing the pain, thus treating the muscle cramp.
Research has shown that applying topical creams can help relieve muscle cramps. These products contain elements such as camphor, methanol, and lidocaine. An example of this cream is the emollient gel that is extracted from the celery seeds. These products help in relieving pain. These creams should be used as a last resort because they may have negative side effects. Although most of these remedies have proven to be effective, you must visit your doctor if the muscle spasms persist.