How to Naturally Treat Leg Cramps

It is not uncommon for people to experience leg cramps at night every now and then. Some call them "Charley horses" but no matter what you decide to call them they are sudden painful knots that are caused by muscle spasms. Usually they appear in the leg or thigh area. They are especially susceptible in the hamstring or quadriceps areas. The length of the leg cramps vary from person to person but on average they last for about ten dreadfully long minutes. The cause remains unknown but there is a lot of controversy about the subject. Most agree that it is a combination of exercise and hot weather, resulting in dehydration and imbalances of salt and other minerals like potassium, magnesium, and calcium which are all needed to regulate muscle contraction. The most susceptible are athletes, those over 65, and those whom are overweight. However, there is an option to alleviate the discomfort. Read on to learn how to naturally treat leg cramps.

Things You'll Need

• Moist heat
• Potassium supplements
• Bananas

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Instructions

• 1

  Treat a leg cramp with a hot but moist heat application. A hot washcloth will work fine. A heating pad is hot but not moist.

• 2

  Add more potassium to your diet. This can be done by eating more bananas but you may have to add a potassium supplement to your diet.

• 3

  Stretch and massage the painful muscle, hold it in a stretched position until the cramping stops.

• 4

  Consider acupuncture or massage therapy. Many people have said that this helps them with relief from not only leg cramps but all over body cramps.