A cramp is a sudden and involuntary contraction on a certain part of your body. So this means, a leg cramp is also a sudden and involuntary contraction on the leg. It is sometimes called a charley horse. This condition mostly attacks during the night when you're fast asleep. This condition makes your leg muscles contract like making a knot on your muscles, therefore, making it hard and difficult to move because of the pain. Leg cramps are harmless and create very mild symptoms. Although this condition is harmless, leg cramps make it temporarily difficult to move your leg. A leg cramp can wake you up in the middle of the night and can sometimes be excruciating. The excruciating pain you feel during a leg cramp generally lasts for only a few minutes. Leg cramps mostly affect the calf muscle, but can also happen in your thighs or feet.

Imagine having a good night’s sleep, then you suddenly wake up because your legs are cramping. This condition does not choose a right time nor does it give you a pass. This can disrupt your sleeping routine if it happens frequently. There isn’t actually a specific cause for leg cramps, however, there are known factors that can increase the risk of leg cramps from happening.

In most cases, night time leg cramps are idiopathic, which means that their exact cause is unknown.

Here are several factors that may contribute to night time leg cramps:

Overusing Muscles - Having too much exercise results in an overworked muscle. Leg cramps commonly happen after you do a leg day because you overwork your leg muscles. Thus, having your legs do lots of exercise will result in leg cramps during the night.

Foot Position - In some cases, a leg cramp may happen because of their foot position. If you sleep with your feet and toes extending away from your body, you might happen to experience a leg cramp. This shortens the calf muscles, making them more susceptible to cramping.

Sedentary Lifestyle - A sedentary lifestyle is defined as someone who spends too much time sitting with little physical exercise. Since overworking your muscles can cause leg cramps, underworking your leg muscles is also a cause. Your muscles need to be stretched daily. If you stay in one position for most of your time, you’ll likely experience muscle cramps.

Prolonged Standing - There has been research suggesting that people who stand too long at work or at home, are more likely to experience leg cramps.

Sitting Position - Doing an improper sitting position such as sitting with your keg over the other or sitting with your legs crossed for long periods if time will shorten the calf muscles, and result in cramping.

Abnormal Nerve Activity - This condition is said to may have caused leg cramps due to the abnormal nerve firing. This is based on Electromyographic studies.

Electromyography is a diagnostic procedure to assess the condition of muscles and nerve cells.

Inadequate Blood Supply - When you exercise, the arteries that deliver blood to your legs get narrower. Due to the narrowing of the arteries, it can produce cramping if the legs and feet while exercising. These cramps will usually go away as soon as you stop exercising.

Mineral Depletion - Having too little calcium, potassium, and/or magnesium in your diet can cause you leg cramps.

Leg cramps can be a pain in the head. But because this condition is easily treatable, natural remedies and lifestyle routines can be the best treatment for it.

Here are several natural remedies for leg cramps that you can do at home:

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Walking - This might be a simple activity, but it can actually prevent you from getting leg cramps the next day. Walking regularly can boost blood circulation, reduce inflammation, and at the same time release endorphins in your body.

As stated earlier, stretching your body, especially your legs can be a great way to avoid leg cramps.

Stay Hydrated - Dehydration is the most common causes of leg pain and cramps. This is due to the fact that your body needs fluids because of the electolytes found in water or sports drinks.

You can simply avoid leg cramps by regularly drinking 8 glasses of water a day. Refrain from drinking caffeinated, carbonated, alcoholic drinks, thus, it can lead to dehydration.

Increase Potassium And Magnesium Intake - Adding potassium and magnesium to your diet can greatly help your body prevent leg cramps.

Potassium and magnesium filled foods include whole-grain, fish, bananas, dates, yoghurt, tomato juice, ang baked sweet potato.

Have Some Rest - If the cause of your leg cramps is because of physical activities, then having some rest is a great way to treat it.

Having enough sleep and getting adequate rest is essential to give your body the needed energy for the next day. An 8 hour sleep daily can automatically prevent you from getting leg cramps.

Acupressure - This process is done by putting pressure on certain points on the body to stimulate healing.

It is the same with massaging, the only difference is that it focuses on certain points on your body and its key role is to relieve muscle pain.

Epsom Salt Baths - Epsom salts are rich in magnesium which is an essential nutrient for pain remedies. This is a fantastic way to relieve inflammation and leg pain.

Just get half a cup of Epsom salt and add to lukewarm water in a bathtub. Soak your leg or other areas for only 15 minutes.

Yoga - This simple therapeutic exercise is a great way to prevent leg cramps. This removes blockages in the body as well as stretches it.

This type of exercise helps detox the hist, speed up healing, and restorative. All you need to do is do the poses correctly and relax the body.

It’s best to have a trainer with you, to make sure you won’t hurt or tire yourself.

Apple Cider Vinegar - This ingredient has analgesic properties which help soothe inflammation and pain in the legs.

You can simply try it by mixing a tablespoon of ACV with enough water.

Cold Compress - A cold compress is a simple way for lowering inflammation and reducing blood flow.

This can be done by wrapping a couple of ice cubes in a towel and placing it on your leg or any other area. Do it for 10 to 15 minutes and you can repeat it throughout the day.

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