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How to deal with cramps

deal with cramps

Cramps occur when there is a temporary tightening of the muscles. They cannot be controlled by you. Cramps occur suddenly and can be very painful. Let us see the various methods of dealing with them.

Drink lots of fluids

Cramps can occur at many places and a lot of people face them during summer and winters. Part of your body may be in the same position for some time. This results in lessened blood flow to the areas. This can occur due to the low levels of water in your body. Insufficient minerals in your body may result in the formation of cramps. The best way to deal with cramps is to increase your intake of these minerals. A lot of water should be consumed and milk or milk products can be consumed to increase the fluid content in your body. Besides this, juices, fruits containing high water content, coconut water, etc., can be consumed to compensate the loss of fluids in your body. Water not only hydrates your body, but also helps in getting rid of various toxins, which play a role in developing cramps in your body. Herbs like lachesis mutus and naja can be consumed as they have a beneficial effect in dealing with cramps. Lachesis mutus increases the circulation of blood in the body and strengthens the heart and the liver. Naja helps an individual to overcome the pain accompanied with cramps.

Massage

Massage works wonders when you have a cramp in any part of your body. Massaging gently helps an individual to get relief from cramps, by regulating blood flow to the affected areas. Menthol can be used to increase blood flow and in reducing the accumulated toxins in that area. Menthol, in the form of a rubbing cream or ointment can be used as a medium for massage. Massaging of the affected area should be done in the natural direction of the muscle. What massage does is, it will sooth the tensed muscles during the cramp and help to recover the blood flow in the affected area. You could use a cream or an anti cramp ointment or lotion to rub as a massaging medium. This would get absorbed in the skin and hence relieve you of the cramp.

Cold or hot treatment

Another very effective therapy for cramps is the cold and hot therapy. Applying an ice pack on the affected zone for a few minutes and then alternatively applying a hot pad helps in getting relief from cramps. This technique helps in generating heat from inside the body and getting instant relief. Even taking a hot shower is also effective in dealing with cramps. An individual should allow hot water to flow over the affected area. The heat should be comfortable enough for you or you may develop blisters, which will aggravate the situation. Hot showers are effective when you get cramps in the waist or back. Sometimes when you get up quickly from the bed in the morning or lie down in hurry at night, your back and hip can get cramps. Sometimes when you are working for a long time sitting in a chair, you can to get cramps, when getting up. A hot water shower before going to bed or after waking up would ensure that your tensed muscles get relief and the cramp lessens its effect.

Exercise reduces cramps

Slow and passive stretching will help in restoring the nerve balance to the affected muscles. It will also reduce the muscle cramp, side by side. An individual can stretch his legs towards his head with the toes pointing up. You can stay in this position for about 5 mins before relaxing yourself. This method is useful if the back of your thighs are cramped. Likewise if your leg front muscles are cramped, then pull your leg towards your buttock and maintain this position for 5-10 minutes. These stretching exercises if practiced regularly will help in preventing future cramps and also aid in keeping your muscles flexible. Yoga is also effective in dealing with cramps. There are some positions in yoga which are meant to reduce the occurrence of cramps in your body. When you know you experience cramps quite often, you can practice some positions in yoga daily to ensure that the occurrences reduce.

Herbal remedies

If an individual suffers from cramps, he can try chamomile tea to get relief from them. Glycine, an amino acid is present in this tea, which helps reduce cramps. This helps in relaxation of the muscles. 5 cups a day would be very beneficial. If cramps are recurring on a regular basis, an individual can take two table spoons of honey everyday with his meals to allay the effect of the cramps. Apple cider vinegar is a great source of potassium. Mixing apple cider vinegar with honey will make a herbal remedy. Consume these once every day and the occurrences of cramps will reduce drastically. These herbal medicines are good for health and have no side effects.

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