How to Lessen the Pain of a Muscular Cramp

Muscular pain comes in two general types. There is the muscle ache that comes on slowly and usually follows overuse or exertion of the muscle, and there is the muscle cramp. A muscle cramp is a sudden onset of pain caused by the muscle being unable to relax. Muscle cramps often occur when your body is asleep or resting.

Instructions

• 1

  Stop the activity or movement that is causing the cramp. If you are walking or doing something else when the muscular cramp starts, stop as soon as you feel the cramp coming on. Muscle cramps are most common in the legs and feet, but can also occur in the hands and arms.

• 2

  Stretch the muscle in the opposite direction from the direction that it is cramping. If the cramp is in your ankle and it is causing your foot to pull in, stretch the muscle by gently pushing your foot in the opposite direction using your hands. When you get a cramp in your thigh, stretch the thigh muscle by flexing and bending your toes.

• 3

  Massage the cramping muscle in its natural direction until the pain subsides.

• 4

  Soak in a warm bath to help your muscles further relax.