Calf cramps – what to do?
Calf cramps at night
Does this sound familiar? Like a shot, without any warning, a deep pain shoots into your calf, the muscle hardens and remains painfully tense. According to estimates, around 40 per cent of Germans suffer regularly from calf cramps. Those most affected are athletes, women, pregnant women and the elderly. In many cases, muscle hardening occurs at night and causes considerable sleep disorders.
What can you do in the case of acute calf cramps?
If you suffer from acute muscle cramps, you will find that stretching the affected area first of all will help. With a calf cramp, you should stretch the leg in a sitting position and vigorously pull the forefoot towards the upper body with both hands. You should hold this position until the calf cramp noticeably subsides. A light relaxation massage will help alleviate the hardening. What’s more, taking high-dosage magnesium immediately and long-term will help to relax the musculature.
By the way: calf cramps often occur at night due to the natural fluctuation of our magnesium level; in the early hours of the morning, the magnesium concentration in our body drops. To systematically counteract this decrease in the morning, it is best to take magnesium in the evening.
What else can you do?
To counteract muscle fatigue, light massages and heat can be applied after an acute calf cramp. In addition, constant tension can be relieved by paying attention to posture and avoiding unhealthy stress. Relaxation exercises such as yoga or autogenic training and also specifically strengthening the deep muscles (e.g. with ballooning) can restore the body’s equilibrium. The motto in sports is: takes things easier, don’t exceed stress limits and drink plenty of liquids.
Protecting against calf cramps
No-one need put up with frequent muscle and calf cramps or painful tension on a regular basis. Those affected should first of all look into the causes and remedy them as soon as possible. For example, excessive perspiration during sports activities or at work – if fluid intake is insufficient – can be one of the causes of muscle and calf cramps.
Frequent cause of calf cramps: magnesium deficiency
Often, an inadequate supply of the mineral magnesium to the body is the cause of calf cramps. So that we can move without any hindrances, muscles need to function properly. Whether we are talking about walking, running, jumping or being able to take hold of objects – the right ratio of magnesium, calcium, potassium and sodium smoothly regulates muscle tension and relaxation. If insufficient magnesium is available, muscles tense up leading to possible calf cramps. The following products can safely and reliably build up the body’s own magnesium supply and prevent muscle and calf cramps:
Biolectra Magnesium 240 forteBiolectra Magnesium 365 fortissiumBiolectra Magnesium 365 Granules
| Whoever suffers from recurring calf cramps despite an adequate supply of magnesium is advised to consult a doctor. Symptoms may not only be expressed in calf cramps, but could indicate hidden ailments such as those related to blood vessels, joints, the spine, nerves or metabolism. |
Biolectra® Magnesium 240 forte. Effervescent tablets. Active ingredient: magnesium-oxide. Biolectra® Magnesium 365 fortissimum. Effervescent tablets. Use: proven magnesium deficiency if it is the cause of muscle disorders (neuromuscular disorders, calf cramps). Contains sodium and potassium compounds. Biolectra Magnesium 365 Granules. Effervescent granules. Use: proven magnesium deficiency if it is the cause of muscle disorders (neuromuscular disorders, calf cramps). Contains sodium and potassium compounds. For information about risks and side effects, please read the information leaflet and consult your doctor or pharmacist. HERMES ARZNEIMITTEL GMBH - 82049 Grosshesselohe/Munich