What do you do about Charlie Horses?

Question

I have been getting A LOT of charlie horses lately. how do i get rid of them? they keep coming back. i've heard they are caused from too much excersice. but i got 'em today and i havn't excersized for like 4 days. please help. may legs are being abused from these stupid charlie horses.

Answer 1

Drink more water, and stretching. I know this from experience, but here are some others saying the same thing:

STRETCHING:
One of the ways you can best get rid of the charlie horse, is to stretch the muscle that is cramping. If it is in your calf, try pointing your toes up as high as you can.
http://www.charlie-horses.com/index.html


HYDRATION:
NO NO NO NO! it's not from a lack of exercise!!! it's when you're asking too much of your muscles, so they get crampled. see, muscles are constantly contracting and relaxing, and when you get a charlie horse it's because the muscle has gotten locked in the contracted position. i bet that when you get your cramps, you can't move a certain part - your toes, whatever. so yeah...it's not from lack of exercise. i find that staying hydrated helps, as does putting a lot of weight on whatever's cramped - like when my friend gets them in her hand, she presses her hand against the wall until it stops.
Posted by: Caty at February 20, 2004 10:23 PM

And here is one I did not know:
ACCUPRESSURE
1. October 16, 2002 3:30 PM
» CarolWallace - Re: I keep getting severe charlie-horses

In response to message posted by aTazManiac:
I can offer a simply way to lessen the severity of many of these charlie-horses and, if you're fast enough, to almost stop them before they get started. This is based on principles of acupressure. When you feel one starting grab the indentation just above your upper lip between your thumb and forefinger and squuze gently for about 30 seconds. Sounds crazy, I know, but I saw it on TV 25 years ago and it has almost always worked like a charm for me. It doesn't seem to help when I get charlie-horses anywhere else, but is great for the legs and sometimes the foot.
Sometimes these cramps are caused by something called a myofascial adhesion and can be relieved by deep tissue massage, or by trigger point injections. But I always like to start with the simplest remedy first - and this little pressure trick has usually worked fine.
http://www.suite101.com/discussion.cfm/lupus/83889/701465

Answer 2

I get charlie horses. What I do when I get one is walk around until it goes away. Yes it hurts but thats the only way to get them out. I believe if you drink more water it won't happen as frequent but if it becomes a daily thing more than a few times a day, personally I would talk to my doctor to make sure eveything is okay. Hope you find the answer you are looking for.

Answer 3

Charlie horses usually happen due to the lack of potassium, eat bananas or take potassium pills.

Answer 4

Your horse depends on your love, care, and commitment. You'll show your love through grooming, petting, riding, and the occasional treat. You must also show your commitment by providing for her needs 365 days a year, in good weather and bad. With good care, your horse can live 35 years or more, so plan to enjoy a long and mutually rewarding relationship with your horse.

Answer 5

What is a charlie horse?

Answer 6

Vit K also helps... Sometimes lack of this Vit can cause this issue..... Here is a list of low med and high VK foods...

http://people.bu.edu/sobieraj/nutrition/VitK.html

GOOD LUCK

ciao

Answer 7

eat a banana the potassium will help you.

Answer 8

walk them out

Answer 9

try to "walk it off" and rub it