How do u get rid of foot and leg cramps?

Question

My aunt keeps getin cramps and i need a quick answer on how to get rid of them please and thank you.

Answer 1

I would caution using a glass jar to roll your foot over, only because any number of reasons could cause it to crack and the pressure from her foot could cause it to break and cut her. Try a rolling pin if you really want something to roll your foot over, maybe?

Also, if you were to rub her legs, make sure to rub them from foot to knee not knee to foot. Sometimes I have cramping issues from excess fluid and tired muscles due to 12 hour shifts on my feet. I have my husband rub my legs from feet to knee, I elevate them higher than my heart (while I'm in bed relaxing before bedtime), and I make sure to point and flex my feet as often as possible.

Have her talk to her doctor to make sure she isn't suffering from DVT (deep vein thrombosis = blood clots in her legs). Some of the signs and symptoms would be pain when flexing her foot and redness and heat over a localized muscle in her leg. While I don't want to scare you, these clots can be life-threatening if they dislodge and travel through the veins and arteries of the body.

There could be simple reasons and solutions to the cramping your Aunt is experiencing, but the best source for these solutions and accurate diagnosis would be her physician or the physician's nurse. Call their office, share with them her complaint, and they may be able to help you more over the phone if going into the office isn't what your Aunt wants to do. However, they may request it anyway.

Best of luck!!

Answer 2

What you can do about it

Try these tips for keeping leg cramps at bay:

• Avoid standing or sitting with your legs crossed for long periods of time.

• Stretch your calf muscles regularly during the day and several times before you go to bed.

• Rotate your ankles and wiggle your toes when you sit, eat dinner, or watch TV.

• Take a walk every day, unless your midwife or doctor has advised you not to exercise.

• Avoid getting too tired. Lie down on your left side to improve circulation to and from your legs.

• Stay hydrated during the day by drinking water regularly.

• Try a warm bath before bed to relax your muscles.

• There's some evidence that taking a magnesium supplement in addition to a prenatal vitamin may help some women.

You may have heard that having leg cramps is a sign that you need more calcium, and that calcium supplements will relieve the problem.

If you do get a cramp, immediately stretch your calf muscles: Straighten your leg, heel first, and gently flex your toes back toward your shins. It might hurt at first, but it will ease the spasm and the pain will gradually go away.

You can try to relax the cramp by massaging the muscle or warming it with a hot water bottle. Getting out of bed and walking around for a few minutes may help, too.

If your muscle pain is constant and not just an occasional cramp — or if you notice swelling or tenderness in your leg — call your practitioner. These may be signs of a blood clot, which requires immediate medical attention.

Answer 3

Wow. That's ridiculous. You shouldn't be getting cramps from just stretching your legs. Either put pressure on them to relieve the pain or sit in an Epsom salt bath. Strengthen your legs they're really weak! Go running until the cramps disappear but keep up a steady routine so it stays that way. If none of this works contact your doctor and he'll send you the places you need to go and the things you need.

Answer 4

First question - Does your aunt take medication for high cholesterol? If so, they may be causing her cramps.

When she gets them, she needs to stand up and roll the bottom of her foot over a glass jar or something like that, something solid and round on the floor. I use a large jelly jar. I know it sounds weird, but it really does work. Then she needs to walk around for a few minutes, pressing all her weight on the foot or leg with the cramp. That is what works for me. And if they continue, she should ask her doc about them. Most likely, they are not anything to worry about, but it doesn't hurt to ask.

Tell your aunt she has my sympathy. I totally understand what she is going through.

Answer 5

I used to take potassium until I read something in the local newspaper that has changed my life. You aren't going to believe this but, trust me, it works.

Get a bar of soap and put it between the sheet and mattress toward the foot of the bed. I said you aren't going to believe it--and you won't. But it works. Nobody knows how or why, it just does.

Do not use soap whose name starts with a D, such as Dial or Dove. Other than that, any soap is acceptable. I change mine out about every 4 or 5 months. I thought "Oh sure. I haven't had a leg cramp in nearly a year. But it's probably mind over matter." Then I went on a trip and forgot to take a bar of soap with me. Two days into the trip I was in agony. Went to the store and got me a bar of soap and put it in its usual place at the foot of my bed--no more cramps the rest of my trip.

Try it. All it's going to cost is the price of a bar of soap. I no longer take potassium or anything else and other than my trip I haven't had one leg cramp in over a year.

You can also google this. I typed in "soap, leg cramps" and it comes back with all kinds of information on this phenomena.

Answer 6

I'm glad you asked this, I'm having the same problems.

I have been on this computer more often, and I quit walking like I was before the temperatures dropped here in Ohio. So some of the advice here is good. I also cross my legs too much when I'm at the computer, and I heard on Oprah that this is bad for your health.

I just tried the stretching, and it did help.
mine has been mostly my left leg, but tonight its my right. I just think 35 is too young to be having these aches and pains.

Answer 7

My husband used to have severe leg cramps at night.
He started trying everything, those sport drinks, massage, muscle relaxants.
Then I did some research and he started taking potassium, calcium and B-complex (make sure has b-6). Fixed it in a couple of days and hasn't come back!

Answer 8

Cramps can sometimes be caused by low potassium, dehydration, or certain medications. Try eating bananas, tomatoes, potatoes, or other potassium rich foods, drinking plenty of water, and talking to her pharmacist if she is taking any medications.

Answer 9

try using magnesium oxide 400 mg tablets --1 a day ,you can get this over the counter

Answer 10

drink enough water, elevate legs,massages from knee on down. get good supportive shoes and or socks.