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Leg cramps causes and first aid measures
Leg cramps (formerly: Krampus syndrome)
About 40 percent of people in Germany regularly suffer from calf cramps. These occur not only in sports activities, but especially at night. This means that sufferers complain of nocturnal calf pain, in addition, the sleep rhythm is interrupted, which in the long run can lead to sleep disorders and fatigue.
contents
- Leg cramps (formerly: Krampus syndrome)
- Synonyms
- Symptoms and discomfort in calf cramps
- Causes and pre-existing conditions
- Limited function of the fascia
- Naturopathic therapy options
- Manual treatments osteopathy
- Tips against calf cramps at night
- Prevention of calf cramps during sport
Synonyms
Krampus syndrome, convulsions in the calf, cramp in the calf, leg cramp, muscle calf cramp, cramp in the calf, nocturnal leg cramps, cramps in the leg, cylinder distortion of the calf, calf cramp, cramp on the calf, calf pain, calf cramps.
A calf cramp usually occurs surprisingly and causes massive, pervasive pain. (Image: jayzynism / fotolia.com) Symptoms and discomfort in calf cramps
An acute calf cramp usually occurs suddenly and is characterized by massive calf pain (usually one-sided). Many of those affected experience the pulling, pervasive pain during sports activities such as jogging or playing football or even at night. The painful area is noticeably hardened in acute leg cramps.
Causes and pre-existing conditions
Life-threatening can be a calf cramp when it occurs in cold water or when driving and the affected by the pain, the distraction, possibly panic-like reactions or the resulting restriction of movement can no longer fully exercise the current activity.
Possible causes are disorders of the water balance, such as kidney disease or as a result of internal dehydration, resulting in a mineral deficiency (electrolyte shift). Muscle spasm is mainly increased by low magnesium, sodium, potassium and calcium levels. Leg cramps also occur as a result of alcohol and nicotine abuse or after great physical effort. In addition, pregnant women complain more often about leg cramps.
Some of the affected persons have previous diseases of the vessels such as thrombosis of the deep leg veins, chronic venous insufficiencies (varicose veins), chronic circulatory disorders (peripheral arterial occlusive disease, PAOD) or peripheral nerve diseases (such as polyneuropathy). Other underlying diseases can be diabetes mellitus, rheumatic diseases, Lyme disease and other infectious diseases.
In pregnancy, many women suffer from cramps in the calves. Often a lack of magnesium is responsible. (Image: RioPatuca Images / fotolia.com) Some medications may have calf cramps as a side effect and should therefore be excluded as the causative agent. These include, among others, dehydrating (diuretic) and laxative agents, chemotherapeutic agents, cholesterol lowering agents and antihypertensive agents (hypertension).
Limited function of the fascia
A limited function of the fascia increases the convulsion tendency. Previously, a muscle or muscle group contracted on the calf and did not relax, which could take from seconds to minutes. Today, more and more tissue that surrounds the muscle is associated with cramps. Among other things, the connective tissue sheaths called "fascia" give the muscle the opportunity to glide up and over one another. It is believed that when twisting or sticking in this tissue, the muscles can no longer slide properly and tend to cramp.
Naturopathic therapy options
The therapy takes place after the basic illness by the attending physician or non-medical practitioner. General measures concern diet and lifestyle, especially cigarette and alcohol consumption should be reduced and paid attention to base-rich diet. Regular exercise is helpful, but overexertion should be avoided. Laxatives and dehydrating agents may be dosed down or discontinued (only in agreement with the therapist!).
A lack of minerals should be specifically remedied, e.g. with Neukönigsförder mineral tablets or individual preparations. Certain foods also provide the body with magnesium, potassium and calcium. The former, for example, is abundant in whole grains, nuts and almonds. You get a lot of potassium, for example. Soya products, vegetables such as spinach and Brussels sprouts, and dried fruit. Rich in calcium are e.g. Dairy products, broccoli, kohlrabi and nettle juice.
The so-called hot sieves from the Schüssler salt therapy is considered to be an effective first aid for calf cramps. (Image: PhotoSG / fotolia.com) In the acute case, the Schüssler salt Magnesium Phosphoricum (No. 7) can offer a good help. In the form of a "hot seven", the so-called salt of the muscles and nerves is particularly fast and intense.
Instructions for "Hot 7":
Danger: To avoid altering the effectiveness of the salt, never use a metal spoon to stir. |
Externally, envelopes, for example with arnica tincture or rubbing with rubbing alcohol, can bring relief. In homeopathy, arnica, ergot, tobacco, crushed nut and metallic zinc are used in the potencies D12-D3 or complex finished preparations. In the field of physical therapy or hydrotherapy, alternating warm knee and arm castings and alternating foot baths are often recommended.
Another effective home remedy for convulsions is St. John's wort oil, which is massaged preventively into the affected muscle in case of acute or major stress. The oil warms pleasantly, supports the wound healing and promotes the blood circulation, whereby the calf cramp can be quickly relieved.
Manual treatments osteopathy
Manual treatments (osteopathy, fascial distortion model, Rolfing): Particular attention is paid to the stretching of the calf muscles. As the fasciae have recently been discussed as a further factor and a good therapeutic approach has emerged, the thigh muscles and the supporting tissue of the foot (plantar fascia) are first stretched as part of the stretching process. Because unlike the muscles, the fascia continues to run in our body.
Accordingly, it is important to consider relationships in diagnosis and treatment. Furthermore, adhesions (so-called adhesions) in the interstices of the muscles and twists of the superficial fascia can be worked on, so that the muscles glide better again.
Tips against calf cramps at night
First aid for nocturnal calf cramps provide stretching exercises for the legs, which often bring about relief of the pain within a few minutes.
Stretching exercise against leg cramps
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If stretching does not bring relief, a calf wrap can help. For this purpose, a towel is soaked in hot water, well wrung and wrapped around the lower leg. Danger: For varicose veins, use only warm water for the cover.
In order to avoid cramping during exercise, athletes should first absorb enough fluid and minerals. (Image: tothekop79 / fotolia.com) Prevention of calf cramps during sport
Spasms due to too little salt in the muscles occur quite quickly in sports when either too little or too much is consumed. If the body is not sufficiently supplied with fluid, there is a shortage of electrolytes at the same time. Drinking too much water can in turn cause the salt level in the blood to drop and the body to "drip off", so to speak..
To avoid leg cramps during exercise, athletes should therefore absorb enough fluid and salt, magnesium and calcium before and during training. For this electrolyte drinks are very good, alternatively, fruit juice spritzers can be enriched with salt. Those who only drink pure water run the risk of the body getting too little electrolytes and the body salt level even sinking. (Jeanette Viñals Stein, Naturopath and Thorsten Fischer, Naturopath Osteopathy, nr, last updated on 31/01/2017)
Specialist supervision: Barbara Schindewolf-Lensch (doctor)