Muscle cramps; useful advice on how to get rid of them.

Do you experience muscle cramps? We all do at one time or another but are we experiencing muscle cramps or are we feeling a protective mechanism of the body?

Imagine, you are lying in bed and you move your foot a certain way which causes it to cramp. Traditionally, most people will try to massage out the cramp or stretch it loose.

To cramp or not to cramp?

Some foot cramps may be caused by tight lateral fascia in the leg which will restrict motion in the foot and ankle. This restriction may cause the ankle or foot to strain and the joint to lock up due to restricted motion. This can also cause the sensation of cramping.

Straining a joint can cause receptors in the joint and the surrounding joint to fire which will also cause a cramp-like sensation. People who have problems in the ankle or hip will often have a knee that is constantly strained. The receptors can cause the knee to give out which is a protective response that the body uses to protect the joint.

Another type of cramp is caused by tight fascia surrounding the muscles. Sometimes, fascial tightness and adhesions can cause the muscles to lock up internally. Instead of the muscle contracting, the fibers push upward and lock which causes the cramp. The contraction is sustained and intense which is what causes the pain. These types of cramps are best treated by massaging and stretching to loosen the fibers and the tight fascia that caused it. It is thought that this is due to overuse, however, what is the definition of overuse? More likely, it is a consequence of biomechanics and the way someone has adapted over the years, resulting in tight and dysfunctional fascia and muscle tissue.

If you continue to experience these types of cramps, see your chiropractor. By properly understanding your body mechanics, and the mechanisms behind the cramps, they can determine the cause which can be anything from a mechanical problem, nutritional problem, or a combination of both. By using manipulation of the involved joints which restores normal mobility, soft tissue techniques such as myofascial release, and exercises, most chronic cramping problems can be resolved.

Nutrition and muscle cramps

On the other hand, certain cramps may indicate that you are nutritionally deficient.

Check out this helpful advice regarding leg cramps

3 best supplements for muscle cramps

Christina DeBusk March 25, 2019

Muscle cramps are rather common.

Approximately 60 percent of adults experience these oftentimes painful involuntary contractions, according to the Medical University of South Carolina. Additionally, the rate of cramping tends to increase with age.

Medline adds that the muscles that cramp the most are typically located in the thighs and feet, hands and arms, abdomen, and along the ribcage. The majority of the time these cramps are brought on by overuse.

However, nerve compression, dehydration, low electrolyte levels, reduced blood supply to the muscle, pregnancy, certain medications, and dialysis can all cause muscles to tense as well.

Though muscle cramps are typically harmless and usually go away on their own, Medline indicates that stretching, massage, heat, and increasing fluids can sometimes help. So too can supplements. Here are three to consider based on scientific research.