What actually happens physiologically when you get cramp in your calf muscles? Why is it so painful, and feels rock hard?
2007-01-20 08:51:37 · 9 answers · asked by Flower girl 3 in Health ➔ Other - Health
The calf muscles are fairly large, and also very strong. When they cramp, the muscle ends up in a locked state, which causes it to be rock hard.
Drink plenty of fluids, and keep your potassium level up. If you have calf cramps chronically, mention them to your doctor. There are sometimes treatments, and your doctor will probably want to check some of your blood levels, especially your potassium and PH.
2007-01-20 09:02:56 · answer #1 · answered by Garylian 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Make sure you have enough potassium in your diet - bananas are good. Try this stretch, stand about 18"-2' away from a wall, put your hands on the wall, move one foot forward towards the wall then lean into the wall until you can feel the calf muscles in the back leg really stretch, hold for 30s, rest and repeat 3 times. Change legs and repeat. Next do the same stretches but instead of keeping the back leg straight bend the knee and you will feel a different muscle stretch. This helped me but if it doesn't help you do have a chat with your doctor because it is miserable.
2016-05-24 01:48:38 · answer #2 · answered by Lorraine 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i used to run cross country at school.
one year i saw a young lad who had obviously pushed himself
right to the limit (cool) and his calf muscles
looked literally like tennis balls on top of his socks round the back!! never forgotten that!
apparently tonic water is really brill to prevent cramp
as it contains quinine i think it is.
i might try that in the summer when i play cricket.
i wonder if it makes a difference if u add gin to it!!!LOL!!
that has got to be THE best excuse EVER!!!!
good luck.
u could look at the effects of cramp at this site
http://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net
and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quinine
2007-01-20 09:03:17 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know the answer, but I certainly agree with you. Especially if you get it in the middle of the night and you throw yourself out of bed and then discover you can't stand up.
I had it really bad when I was pregnant.
Awful.
2007-01-20 08:56:23 · answer #4 · answered by Rachael H 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I always wanted to know that n how can u stop it coz i get them in my toes wen im swimmin n it hurts lyk hell obviously if ther is a fit lifeguard nearby il let them luk at it hahahahah xx
2007-01-20 08:59:10 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
yes they are, this is what you can do, put a bar of ivory soap bar under your sheets that will help. and also drink tonic water or tonic soda and it will help drink before going to bed. and also take a hot bath also before going to bed, it work for me, let me no if this works for you, dawn,
2007-01-20 10:20:11 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your muscles are contracting more than they normally do and therefore stretching your tendons.
2007-01-20 08:56:14 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You may not be getting enough potassium if this is a frequent problem.
2007-01-20 08:59:49 · answer #8 · answered by DrB 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They are very large muscle's.
2007-01-20 08:55:32 · answer #9 · answered by Iknowthisone 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋