Muscle Cramps
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Muscle Cramp Remedies

The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
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Buffered Salt

3 User Reviews
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Posted by Jo Anne (Clearwater, FL)
★★★★★

Living in Florida, the heat can be harsh on one who works outside in it. My husband had been having severe muscle cramps and low energy. Our pharmacist recommended a salt supplement called Thermotabs (a buffered salt supplement). After taking this daily, he has no muscle cramps and also has a higher energy level. Hope this works for you too. Take as directed on the bottle.

Replied by Jan
(Mesquite, Nv)
11/26/2009

My husband also had a very bad problem with leg cramps, especially in the evening. I found a bottle of buffered salt supplements I had purchased and started giving them to him. Rarely does he get a cramp anymore, unless he forgets to take the buffered salt tablets daily. I just wonder if it's good for his blood pressure, but don't know who to ask.

Replied by Robert Henry
(Ten Mile, Tn)
11/28/2009

JAN, cramps are usually caused due to the lack of electrolytes. Athletes are given Gator or Power ade to prevent this. It works for me and I'm not a jock.

Replied by Sue
(Delray Beach, Fl)
04/03/2011
★★★★★

My husband was told that when he gets the cramp, to just take a little salt - I put some sea salt in a dish next to the bed - when he gets a cramp, he takes a piece of salt, and is still amazed that the cramp disappears immediately. And he doesn't have to take anything daily because it works!

Calcium

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Posted by Mama to Many (TN) on 03/15/2022
 ★★★★★

Editor's Choice

Calcium for Nighttime Leg Cramps

My husband is on his feet a lot at work and is prone to leg cramps at night.

It used to be that if he made sure to have a banana in the evening, he wouldn't get leg cramps.

However, since he started on a plant based diet last summer, we know that his potassium level is actually a little high. (Probably from so many bananas and lentils.) The doctor isn't concerned about the level, but I don't think potassium deficiency is his problem.

I started giving him magnesium before bed. This reduced the cramps at night but did not eliminate them.

Ahah! Suddenly the pieces fit. Plant based diet. No dairy. He is lacking calcium. He started taking a couple of Tums before bed. Voila! Leg cramps stopped.

I ordered some NOW Calcium citrate since Tums is just Calcium carbonate and not the best form of calcium, as far as I understand. The NOW Calcium also has magnesium, D, zinc and manganese. He took them last night and they worked but they are pretty big pills to swallow....

~Mama to Many~

Calcium
Posted by Kathy (Ontario, CA) on 05/24/2009
 ★★★★★

I used to have leg cramps almost every night. So I would get up and just raid the fridge! I knew that I was missing something in my diet. So ultimately the thing that really helped was taking a calcium pill or 2 before bed and that always lets me sleep thru the night with no cramps! Also on the days that I didn't drink enough water my cramps would flare up. I would just but the chewy calcium....but it seems that any brand works!

Replied by Luvdplanet
(Gainesville, Fl)
09/11/2013

Hello Kathy, I hope you're doing well. I was wondering how many milligrams of the calcium were you taking. My leg cramps at night are really killing me ;o( Thanks! Good Life :o))

Candied Ginger Slices

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Posted by Hugo (E Freetown, MA) on 02/27/2006
 ★★★★★

I WAS ON A DIET SO I MADE LITE CANDIED GINGER SLICES TO SUPRESS APPETITE. I WAS ALSO SUFFERING FROM SEVERE SCIATICA AND BACK SPASMS. AFTER A WEEK BOTH DISAPPEARED. IT WAS BY ACCIDENT THAT I DISCOVERED THE TOTAL RELIEF OF LOWER BACK PROBLEMS. I AM 64 YRS OLD. I HAVE DISCONTINUED GINGER AND MY BACK HAS BEEN PAIN FREE.

Replied by Robin
(OH)
10/24/2020
3 posts

I would like to read the specifics of how you made your own lite candied ginger. Thank you.

Cayenne Pepper

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Posted by Vince (Philadelphia, PA) on 09/21/2006
 ★★★★★

I make up a plaster with cayenne and salt to cure muscle strains and pains. I wet a paper towel and sprinkle just a little of both on it, and apply. The salt is rough being crystals, and irritates the skin a bit, so I make a saline solution and wet the paper towel with that. The cayenne may irritate some peoples skin, but it is used for irritated skin, so isn't a big problem. I even heard of using it on sunburn.) It usually takes 20min to cure pains or strains. I once had a Really strained back and leg. The back came from working under a car, laying on concrete, and the leg was sciatica from siting on a wooden bench after it. My back hurt from my neck to my foot, and my thigh would hurt SO bad I could only walk about 75' before I had to sit down. I decided to do the cayenne plaster, and I was SO Bad I felt I had to Really heat it up. I used a piece of paper/plastic drop cloth, since I was going to add a heating pad, and didn't want it to dry out or wet the pad. I cut a piece to reach from my neck to my butt, applied it and heated it up. The regular plaster usually only needs to stay in place till the heat of the cayenne dissipates. I kept this on a while longer, and after I removed it the pain was gone.

Coconut Water

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Posted by Detail Guy (Portland, Oregon) on 07/31/2020
 ★★★★★

Due to cancer treatment, I've had excruciating muscle cramps... the kind that are rock hard and hurt for several days after the cramping goes down. Magnesium helps, but oncologist explained that magnesium is "contra-indicated" for cancer. She suggested Coconut water... it has a lot of potassium. This really helped a lot. I still get occasional mild cramps... no big deal. Hope this helps.

Cold Showers

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Posted by Araeshkigal (Hurst, TX) on 02/16/2007
 ★★★★★

I first started taking cold showers as a suggested remedy for migraines. It more than worked. It also helped alleviate skin breakouts, regular muscle cramping, and some blood pressure issues (I changed nothing else in diet or exercise to be sure this was what was having the effects) I find it's best to start barely warm and slowly get to cold. If you can't stand ice cold at first just go "on the cool side" till you get a tolerance. You don't have to *freeze* to get the benefits. Also I find cold baths do *not* have the same theraputic effect as' cold showers (anyone else?)

Culinary Argan Oil

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Posted by Tatiana (Boston, Ma) on 06/29/2020
 ★★★★★

Culinary Argan Oil cured my muscle cramps and the muscle crams of 2 other people in my family.

I was getting terrible muscle cramps - sometimes as bad as 10X a day - I was afraid to go anywhere because I didn't know when I would unexpectedly get them and they were extremely painful and scary - I didn't know what was causing them & still don't.

I started taking 2 teaspoons a day of culinary Argan oil (one teaspoon at lunch, one at dinner), and within a few weeks, I realized the cramps were occurring less & less - it's been about 2 months since I started taking the Argan oil, and the cramps that I experienced for about 6 months are finally gone! I can't believe it and wanted to share on this site, which has helped me to find natural solutions for other health issues. Two family members who also started taking the Argan oil also noticed their cramps were went away - they did not get them as bad as I did, and I think that's why their results were more immediate. I highly recommend this amazing oil that not many people know about!!

There are two forms of it - the topical Argan oil and the lesser known culinary Argan oil. You can't ingest the topical kind - only the culinary kind. Argan oil is from Morocco and Israel.

Replied by Anon
(Not Canada)
06/30/2020

How much vitamin E is in the oil?

Dietary and Herbal Suggestions

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Posted by Gabby (Dallas, TX) on 07/01/2007
 ★★★★★

I suffered over 20 years from nighttime toe, foot and leg cramping. It would usually start at around 3am and go on until I got up.

Instead of just treating the symptoms I tried to find an actual cure and I found out the following: Don't drink alcoholic beverages (a glass or two per week is fine), don't eat much sugar or sweetened food, don't drink caffeine especially no sodas with caffeine. Caffeine free sodas work okay but keep in mind that it is not healthy anyway. Stop smoking if you do (that wasn't a hard one, was it?), drink plenty of water, at least 2 quarts (liters) per day and make sure it is good water (not tap water) and finally the most important: Go to bed before midnight! I believe this is especially true because our organs regenerate themselves during the night. I am not sure but I believe that at 3am the liver starts to regenerate which would mean that this is the weak spot of us "crampers". To support the liver, one can also use the herbal supplement "Milkthistle" (in german Mariendistel) which can help tremendously. If I follow this rigorous regimen, I am cramp free!

Replied by Sandra
(Entiat, W)
10/22/2009

I agree with the sugar (sweets, simple carbs) If I eat to much I have learned that I get terrible leg and foot cramps. Just to be sure :) I keep testing it out. Some things are harder to accept as a lesson learned than other lessons.

DMSO

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Posted by Janice (Ocean, NJ) on 06/19/2007
 ★★★★★

I pulled a muscle in the upper middle back and could not turn my head full left or right. I rubbed in DMSO, & soon after, the pain was gone. It lasted the whole day, but I did have to reapply at night & then the next day. After about 4 days , the pain was completely gone! This is an amazing site--my new bible---thank you for everything!

Replied by Mike
(Chicago, IL)
09/27/2008
Replied by Fuzzball
(Nanuet, Ny, Usa)
02/01/2012

Dmso is great for many things, including helping to turn cancer cells into good cells, but it stinks to high heaven. If you plan to use this remedy, wait about an hour then wash yourself. You can get this at most pet stores. Make sure it's 70% dmso, 30% distilled water.

Eliminate All Fructose

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Posted by RB (Somewhere in Europe) on 12/27/2023 85 posts
 ★★★★★

Re: Muscle Cramps -- Solution: Eliminate All Fructose

After eating a ton of fruits, I started having muscle cramps that were so intense that I could not sleep, and could not walk. But all of my muscle cramps disappeared 4 or 5 days after I cut my fructose intake to zero. FYI, there is fructose in all fruits, fruit juices, honey, tomatoes, ketchup and soft drinks.

Energy Medicine Technique

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Posted by A (Toronto, Canada) on 06/05/2011
 ★★★★★

I tried a energy medicine technique called "one hand near one hand far" on leg cramp - it worked. One hand 5 or so inches from the leg cramp (hand palm facing the cramp) the other hand about 15 inches from and just below the belly button area (palm facing toward but just a few inches below the belly button). Imagine energy flowing from the cramp up the arm and down the other arm to go into just below the belly button area. Keep doing it for a minute or 2 until better.

2 chinese medicine doctors I know use this general technique. I cant say its safe or not for other body issues, but it worked for leg cramp for me.

Replied by Coco
(Oleron, France)
03/28/2010

In France you can buy Chlorure de Magnesium in the pharmacie, or Nigari in any health food shop like biocoop. Works great, really cleans up the body and relaxes the muscles. With 20gr you make 1 liter, taking 5cc a day for 20 days, then take a pause of 10 days. It's recommended to take a B-vitamin complex, like brewers yeast (find it in any supermarket in France) at the same time.

Replied by Francisca
(Michelbach-le-bas, Alsace, France)
03/27/2010

I just eat bananas.... we can't buy Epsom salts here in France. I have also looked in Germany and Switzerland (we live next door to them, quite practical) but they only sell them in small quantities for constipation so I never tried them. Bananas have helped me well all my life! I don't have the time to search now as we a leaving on a trip but there are vegetables that are also very rich on potassium.

Epsom Salt

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Posted by Terri (Richmond , VA) on 10/15/2007
 ★★★★★

Recently my husband & I moved. Both of us are in our 50's. We were both taken by surprise at our aching muscles from the move as we are fairly active people. We didn't wish to take anything over the counter for our pain. Our Chiropractor recommended getting Epsom Salts (magnesium) to place into a tub of hot water to soak in. The directions were on the outside of the package. Place two cups into bath water and soak your body. I added a few drops of Pure Essential Oil, Lavendar to the bath as I needed a good nights rest. We slept like babies, totally pain free. We would recommend this highly to anyone able to get in and out of a tub. We repeated it nightly for several nights until the soreness had totally faded.

Replied by Glitzy Feather
(PA)
06/19/2021

No tub here, ...just a shower. Does anyone know if it would help for these nighttime foot/leg cramps if I were to just soak my feet in a tub of epsom salt in the evening? Would that also help to stop the cramps? Thanks in advance for any info. I have to say how much I absolutely LOVE earth clinic. It has saved me in many instances! I TRULY APPRECIATE EARTH CLINIC AND ALL THOSE THAT SHARE THEIR CURES!

Michael
(New Zealand)
06/19/2021

Hello GF of PA,

I have personal experience with this one and I know how painful it can be! Really BAD.

It would be best if, in the initial instance, you perused the "Muscle Cramps/Cramping" section on this Site for a comprehensive review of the problem: sort of a "Cramps 101" for lifestyle changes etc.

I think a half cup of Epsom Salts (Magnesium Sulphate/Sulfate), fully dissolved in a foot bath/bowl of water, as hot as you can (comfortably) stand it, would be good to do. Too hot and it will damage you of course! Keep your feet in for no longer than fifteen to twenty minutes (by which time the water will be cooler anyway). There is a theory that a longer soak is counter-productive.

A foot reflexologist might tell you that trans-dermal foot soaking is the way to go, especially for Magnesium which can be difficult for the body to absorb actually.

I might prefer to do this twice a day to get a quicker response.

What I would do though, is to take 1 to 5 ml (or half a tsp) of Magnesium Chloride liquid in a glass of water twice a day, always replace the cap and store below 25 degrees centigrade. (Maybe difficult for you at the moment?! ). That works a treat for me. In a genuine emergency, I have been known to down a glass of salt water on at least a couple of occasions.

If one "over doses" with Mag. you might get loose stools but that is just the body's way of restoring the balance. No harm done. Nobody die.

I hope this is helpful, it should be, especially if you carefully follow the advice on Earth Clinic ... Editors Choice section etc. Seems strange that there is not much more feedback from our learned Posters on this affliction.

This condition IS fixable!!

Cheers from Michael,

Down Under

Fruit

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Posted by PT Sherm (Provo, UT) on 01/21/2009
 ★★★★★

I accidentally took two diuretic pills right before going to bed, thinking they were other pills and woke up with both legs seized by leg cramps. I was in tremendous pain in both legs like never experienced before. I am alone could not even walk to go get anything else or walk it out. I reached for one of the stored fruit kept stored in my nightstand that I use for low blood sugar for emergencies. I started eating them and within 20 min I could go back to sleep without any cramps. fruit is full of potassium.

Heat

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Posted by Anne (Mineral, VA) on 04/20/2007
 ★★★★★

I have been waking up in 30-minute intervals between 2:00 a.m. until I finally get up at around 8:00 a.m. with extremely painful leg/foot cramps. I used to run to the bath tub, sit down on the side of the tub, and run the hottest water I could stand over my calf. I discovered by using my hair dryer on high heat, following the calf muscle that's cramping to my foot area that's also cramping, helps as a quick emergency tool. But I really am looking for a remedy to avoid having cramps in the first place. The heat helps stop the cramp, but it keeps returning after a short while. What I wouldn't give for a full night's sleep! I think I'll try the pickle juice tonight!


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