Cramp Relief

A muscle cramp, sometimes referred to as a “charley horse,” is an intense SUSTAINED, INVOLUNTARY muscle contraction.

During a cramp, the individual will usually feel it come on suddenly or, in some cases, there may be some anticipatory twitching in the muscle

The muscle itself may feel like it is knotted into a ball, locked in spasm, with no way to stop it

Muscle cramps are usually uncomfortable or even painful, and the cramp may last for a few seconds to a few minutes

In extreme cases, such as cramps resulting from dehydration, episodes of cramping can last for much longer periods of time and might recur multiple times before going away

Etiology

Cramps are believed to result from abnormalities in the mechanisms that control muscle contraction

Some type of excitation or irritation of neurologic mechanisms cause the spinal reflex to trigger an UNCONTROLLABLE muscle contraction

Signs & Symptoms

• Intense, sudden pain in the muscle
• Visible & verbal expressions of pain & discomfort
• Physically holding overall rigidity in body
• Decreased movement or joint held in flexion for prolonged period
• A knotted, hard balled up muscle may be visible under the skin

Contributing factors

• Overexertion & muscle fatigue
• Inflexibility & hypertonicity
• Dehydration or electrolyte depletion
• Extremes of heat & cold
• Inactivity
• Age

Prevention

Stretching- decreases hypertonicity in muscles provide better muscle balance

Nutrition & electrolyte replenishing

Hydration

Training & conditioning

Warm-up & cool down

Techniques Used

• Direct Pressure
• Reciprocal Inhibition
• Ice
• Stretch
• Muscle Spindle

Let's Practice

Ask them...

• AM I ON THE EXACT SITE OF THE CRAMP? If you need to adjust location then do so
• DOES THIS GIVE ANY RELIEF? If it does, then the pressure is appropriate

CALVES

HAMSTRINGS

QUADS

ADDUCTORS