Charlie Horse

[Kaitlyn]

I have been doing lab since the first day of school basically in August. I have always had charlie horses in my calves at night when I would wake up in the middle of the night and stretch. Well now, today in lab I was receiving a massage and I got 2 (somewhat a 3rd) and 5 hours later, I can still feel it in the sole of my foot but not as bad. Is there any answer to this? They basically bring me to tears (today on my foot and my calf ones).

 

[Judy]

charlie horse

i know how you feel, i would get them after having massage on the calves and ive narrowed mine down that the person doing it was a little rough..whew but a light massage on the calf and foot where it was sore did me wonders. if you know a classmate that has a lighter touch try it out and see if it works. if not it might be a magnesium or potassium deficiency. good luck!

 

[amanda please]

Well I know for the calves it is not the partner because I have had these for years, ever since I was probly 13 or so. This is the first time I have ever gotten them in my foot. I know it is not from the partner I was with because I have been partnered with her a couple times and we worked on each other after class. If it continues, I will get it checked out. What kind of foods and such would help or make this worse or happen more?

 

[Soar]

charlie horses

ok try eating fish, potatoes, fruit, vegetables, lots of water all will help

 

[Christopher S]

Thanks. All I do is drink water (seriously, nothing else lol) but I don't really eat that much of those foods. I will try and remember to. Thanks bunches. I can still feel it a little bit. lol.

 

[boffin1979]

Perhaps your calves are chronically tight and when stretched too much or too quickly, your body protects them by causing them to contract.
If you sleep on your back with the sheets/blanket tucked into the bed, untucking them may help. Also, stretch gently and slowly.

 

[Pompal 09.]

When I start catching charlie horses alot I eat a banana for the potassium...always works. Even though I am not to fond of bananas, I rather eat one and not have to deal with the pain.

 

[Dale]

yes, shannon is right. potassium is usually the culprit. orange juice works well too.

i've heard that charlie horses are caused by either a lack of potassium and/or lack of hydration.

 

[lourrainne]

Well I know it is not hydration. lol. I am going to start eating bananas I guess then. Thanks everyone.

 

[mad hatter]

Do you exercise? If so, do you make sure to stretch after your routine?

 

[whitey]

Yes I do. I haven't had one in the past couple days since my last one. I've been drinking extra water and eating a banana or so a day.

 

[farnoush]

Quinine??

It's in Tonic Water.

Robyn

 

[Lincoln6]

I used to have the same problem. After I had a muscle cramp in the calf, it would be sore and hurt when I walked for a few days. I have been taking a calcium, magnesium supplement and sometimes I add potassium if I feel it necessary, and I no longer have the problem. Also, one of my massage instructors, who also taught nutrition ,listed in his protocol that muscle cramps could be caused by dehydration, or a lack of calcium, magnesium and potassium. I felt he was right on target. It is my understanding that drinking colas and coffee can deplete one's body of needed minerals, so watch out for this. Please note that this information is being supplied as my opinion and experience. I am no doctor and am not trying to prescribe. I just read quite a bit and want to share something I found that has helped me.

 

[SmiLeY!!! <33]

Thank you for the information. I would not consider you telling me something in a doctors point of view. I understand this is all merely opinion or something read on the internet and/or something that has been told by others. I know I was not getting them from dehydration. I am now on pre-natal vitamins (yes, pregnant...) and they have not occured at all.

 

[Kelly V]

So glad you are doing better. Congratulations, on your pregnancy, and I wish you the very best!!!