A charley horse can stop your run short.
A charley horse is the common term for leg cramps that occur spontaneously either during activity or at night. Like any cramp, a charley horse is a sudden, involuntary muscular contraction that causes pain and tightness. The charley horse can occur in your calf, hamstring, groin or even in your toes. The exact cause of these cramps is unknown but it is suggested that dehydration, electrolyte imbalance or tight muscles are at the root. Fortunately, there are treatment options for charley horse cramps.
Instructions
1. Stop moving once the charley horse hits. Stand with your feet flat on the ground.
2. Lift your toes up gently to stretch the backs of your legs. Reach your hands up to the sky to increase the stretch.
3. Sit down on the ground and wrap your hands tightly around the painful area. Press the heels of your hands into the knot and gently massage the area using small, circular motions.
4. Knead the cramping area gently until the pain releases. Move gently and ease up if the pain becomes too intense.
5. Apply a gel ice pack to the cramping area. Hold in place for at least five minutes.
6. Sip on a sports drink to alleviate dehydration and replace lost electrolytes. You may be low in potassium, sodium or calcium levels so replenish those minerals quickly by drinking an electrolyte drink.
Tags: charley horse, your hands, cramping area, your toes