Natural home remedies for muscle cramps

Muscle cramps are quite common with everyone dehydration, inactive for long time, overuse of muscles, any type of injury, or excess straining of muscles.

Whatever may be the reason, know that these dangerously painful cramps (can make you immobile for some time) are caused because of shortages of mainly potassium, calcium, magnesium and sodium in your body. You will notice that these cramps mostly occur in the legs, feet, back (mainly lower) and arms.

You would know when a muscle cramp occurs—you would immediately feel as if you are unable to breathe, and hence, unable to move that part. You would feel stiffness in the area.

So, what are the home remedies for muscle cramps?

• The most important remedy is ice pack. Take some ice in a towel, or hanky, or little thick cloth, and place it on the affected area. Keep it there till you see redness; it would mean that the blood cells are reacting and heating up the area. Continue like this, at least for a day or two (depends on the extent of the cramp), at intervals. Do not try ice pack in an open area; be in a room that is quite warm for you.
• If by chance you have no ice (for some reason or the other), the alternative is the heat pack. After heating the heat pad, place it on the affected area.  It will turn red signaling that blood circulation is taking place. Continue with heat pad at intervals. You should not use heat pad in an open area; be in a room that would keep you warm.
• Your diet should mainly consist of broccoli, spinach, banana, potato, milk, and yogurt, and of course, do not forget table salt. These would make up for the loss of salts in your body like magnesium, sodium, calcium and potassium.
• You need to drink a lot of water if dehydration has caused your muscles to cramp. While dehydration is the factor, it has many other side effects. So, to be on the safe side, it would be better if you just consult your physician.
• You can try stretching the affected area like your calves, thighs, arms and lower back. But be careful when you do so – do not overstretch the areas; it would only add to your unbearable pain.
• Once you get a muscle cramp, take bath with warm water or take a hot-water shower (bearable temperature). It would immediately help the affected area to some extent as the related muscle would tend to relax.
• Drink chamomile tea as it contains amino acid that is of great help in relaxing the muscles, thereby releasing the cramps.
• Take honey with meals, as it helps in preventing the cramps from taking place, especially in legs and feet.
• Hold some copper coins in your hand and close the fist. Copper is a great measure of relaxing the muscles.

Remember that if you do not take care at the initial stages, these cramps would lead to certain health complications later.