Stretch.This relaxes the muscle and helps relieve the contractions. The “best” stretch depends on where the muscle spasm is. For a charley horse in your calf, you can do a calf wall stretch to stretch out the cramped muscle. If it’s a hamstring cramp in the back of your thigh, sit...
The vast majority of leg cramps resolve on their own within a few minutes without treatment. As soon as a muscle cramp comes on, stop doing the activity that precipitated it. Stretching and massaging the area may help relieve muscle cramps. Apply heat to help relax a cramped muscle. A cold...
At the heart of every muscle cramp is a muscle fiber that contracts but doesn't release. This can happen for a variety of reasons, but at its core, it's a miscommunication between your muscles and your brain. When youexercise, the brain sends signals to your muscles to contract and rela...
Your pants may feel tight even if you're not that far along. Blame it on hormonal changes. Early in pregnancy, rising progesterone can cause your digestive system to slow and your smooth muscle tissue to relax. This can causebloating. It's similar to what happens to many women right befor...
How to relieve breast pain during pregnancy: Wear a bra that provides firm support. Choose cotton bras or those made from other natural fibers. Get a bigger bra as your breasts become larger and fuller. Your bra should fit well without irritating yournipples. Try maternity or nursing bras, ...
Some people find that over-the-counter creams and lotions or common pain relievers like Tylenol and ibuprofen help relieve occasional, mild muscle aches. However, keep in mind that pain that doesn’t get better or keeps coming back is a reason to see your doctor. A healthcare provider may ...
It may feel like an intense leg cramp, a “pins and needles” sensation in the leg, or shooting pain that interferes with your ability to sit or stand comfortably. The intensity of the pain may vary depending on your position or activity. In rarer cases, sciatica makes it hard to ben...
A charley horse refers to an uncomfortable muscle spasm or muscle cramp that causes ferociously painful contractions in the muscles. We’ve all seen how quickly they can drop an elite athlete, but they’re also common among those without the proclivity for sports. From athletes to the...
wound, including a piercing, puffiness and pain surrounding the area are normal reactions1. Even though these side effects will eventually subside on their own, this eventual easing doesn't mean that you can't take advantage of existing remedies to help relieve the issues while they are present...
Foot cramps vary in severity, intensity and frequency from uncontrollable muscle tightening with sharp, intense pain to occasional twinges. You can find out all about the common causes, treatment options and how to avoid cramp in the Foot & Calf Cramps section.6...