Everyone has experienced at least one leg cramp in their life, likely in their calf. A leg cramp occurs for different reasons, but is essentially an involuntary contraction of the muscle. Athletes suffer from leg cramps most often, particularly runners. As the calf muscle contains both the gastrocnemius muscle and the soleus muscle, it is a common place for these cramps to take place.
Causes
As mentioned previously, there are different causes of leg cramps. Doctors have been unable to determine the exact cause, but there are a number of factors to take into consideration. One is dehydration. Without taking in enough water, your calf muscles are negatively affected because of low blood volume. Low levels of nutrients can often trigger calf cramps. For example, low potassium, sodium, and carbohydrate levels can all potentially cause leg cramps. In addition to low nutrient levels, muscles that have become extremely tight can often lead to calf cramps.
Treatment
Many who get leg cramps work through the cramp by massaging and stretching it out and don’t think twice. However, severe leg cramps can lead to damage to the fibers in your muscle through the force of the contraction. If this does happen, contact ,Chicago Chiropractic and Sports Injury Centers. We can diagnose and recommend treatment, which will likely involve a rehabilitation program and sports massages. We can also recommend at-home treatment in case these leg cramps pop up later on. Massages can be extremely beneficial because they stimulate blood flow and lessens the damage from the spasm.
If you have noticed extra leg cramps or want to learn more about sports massages and how they help with cramps, please contact one of our four locations!
Courtesy of: Sports Injury Clinic
