What is a muscle cramp?
A cramp is an involuntarily and forcibly contracted muscle that does not relax. Muscle cramps in any part of the body, generally affect only those muscle groups to which a particular motor neuron is connected.
What causes a muscle cramp?
Muscle Cramp is caused suddenly, without specific reasons, most of the times. However, certain causes of muscle cramps do exist. And, they are listed below: Muscle Fatigue Heavy exercise Dehydration Pregnancy Some rare drugs (Example: lithium) Alcohol consumption
Alternative Therapies to cure cramps
Ayurvedic remedies:- Drinking decoctions of cramp bark (1 cup) can help relax the muscles. Such a decoction can be taken 3 times in a day.
- Drinking decoctions of ginger and prickly ash can help circulation and thus can prove beneficial.
Home remedies:
- Tonic simulating circulation: To half a cup of boiling water, mix 1 teaspoon each of lemon juice and honey. Add cloves to it and a tablespoon of ginger wine. Let it stand for 24 hours. Later on, take 3 tablespoons of this tonic, before sleeping. This tonic is believed to relieve the pain.
- Massaging the affected muscle with camphor in coconut water can help. This is believed to show a quick relief.
Homeopathic remedies:- For severe cramps: Cuprum metallicum is suggested, if the cramps, particularly in the fingers, legs and toes are very painful.
- For cramps in the night: Nux vomica is suggested for such a condition, wherein, the cramps occur at night and the reason is not predictable.
- For over-weight people: Calcarea carbonica is suggested for over-weight people and those people who have cold feet.
Diet therapy:
- Calcium and magnesium rich diet is suggested. Therefore, food containing these minerals, for instance, green leafy vegetables, fresh fruits, yoghurt, millet and sesame seeds are suggested.
- Muscle cramps also occur due to deficiency of Vitamin E. For this reason, nuts and raw seeds are suggested.
- Avoid items like citrus fruits, meat.
- Eat bananas and apricots often.
Nutritional supplements:
The following supplements may prove beneficial and show significant improvement: - Vitamin B, C, E
- Calcium
- Potassium
- Magnesium
Aromatherapy:
The following essential oils help significantly to relieve muscle cramps: - Clary sage
- Cypress
- Geranium
- Grapefruit
- Jasmine
- Lavender
- Marjoram
- Rose
Usage: Three drops of any of the essential oil can be mixed in the bath water.Any of the essential oil available can be mixed with suitable carrier oil (20ml) and applied to the affected area, two times in a day. |
