Leg crampsoften referred to as acharley horseare painful, involuntary contractions of the muscles in your thigh or calf.
They commonly occur from dehydration or muscle overexertion.
Leg cramps can also be a side effect of certain medications.
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This article discusses how leg cramps feel, their causes, and prevention and treatment options.
You might also feel a hard “knot” or twitching of the muscle under the skin.
The calf muscles are the most common site for leg cramps.
What Causes Leg Cramps?
The underlyingcause of leg crampsisn’t always known.
However, lifestyle factors and medical conditions can play a role.
Lifestyle Factors
Certain lifestyle factors and other physical characteristics can increase your risk of leg cramps.
The most common cause is muscle overuse.
However, other home remedies can also help.
Try these tips:
How Leg Cramps Are Treated
There are no medications specifically fortreating leg cramps.
While magnesium supplements are often marketed to relieve muscle cramps, they are not proven to relieve leg cramps.
If your cramp does not resolve after the first attempt to stretch, try it again.
Hamstring Muscle Stretch
Ahamstringcramp will cause pain in the back of your thigh.
These cramps come on suddenly and cause severe pain.
They often resolve on their own within a few minutes.
However, other remedies, such as stretching, walking, and massaging the muscles, can help.
Other times, they are part of an underlying health condition.
Talk to a healthcare provider about your leg cramps to learn what interventions would help you the most.
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