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.
Aspirin and Calcium, Magnesium and Zinc
Posted by jeanne (wpb, fl) on 12/02/2007
★★★★★
i've tried several of these remedies .. the one that works within 15 min is taking one aspirin . . also , i read on the net'' afew yrs ago that taking magnesium would help . .so i take it religiously everyday . 3 in 1 calcium, mag, and zinc . that took care of the horrible calf cramps .. but i still get a little one in my feet . . and i dont' have to be sleeping to get one either .. it can happen at any time . not every day .but a few times a wk . well, thanks for all the remedies .but try that aspirin the next time you're woken up by one . it works!!! really ..
Vitamins C, D and E
Posted by Irene (Hermosa, South Dakota) on 10/31/2007
★★★★★
Sometimes I wake up at night with one or both feet cramping and sometimes it is my ankle or leg cramping. Sometimes if I am in bed for 1/2 hour or so before going to sleep my feet will cramp. Someone said stretching your feet and legs will help but it didn't. Usually I will walk around for awhile and usually take Vit C, D and E. Within 5 minutes the cramping sometimes stops. During the time I was healing my liver from jaundice I was taking 45-60 ounces of carrot juice a day and then I had a lot of cramps.
The String Method
Posted by Pam (Mississippi) on 05/13/2016
★★★★☆
Been using string around ankle for many years. I also suffer from nerve damage in my leg feels like stinging and burning - the string helps.
Dietary and Herbal Suggestions
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!
Heat
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!
Cayenne Pepper
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.
Pickle Juice
Posted by Pamm (Alabaster, Alabama) on 05/23/2009
The reason Pickle Juice Works is because of the Sodium content in it. One of the reasons we get muscle cramps in our legs and feet is because we are lacking sodium in our diet rather it be from sweating or diarrhea or addison's disease or urinating a lot or etc.. I have a problem with low sodium & I noticed I would have muscle spasms or cramps all over. As soon as I eat saltine crackers or peanuts they would go away within minutes. So its great that pickle juice works but its because of the sodium in it not the pickle juice itself. So for people out there that doesn't like pickle juice try anything with high content of sodium next time you have muscle spasms. And also try anything with potassium in it too. Good Luck!
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Ellensue (Denver, Colorado U.s.) on 08/20/2013
★★★★★
Leg cramps getting worse over the last week, and very painful aching yesterday. So, I ended up here and with great hope and some skepticism I drank 2 Tblsp ACV with Mother in a cup of hot water and the relief was immediate! Aching was in both legs... I'm guessing it was drinking more coffee than usual? The pain is not worth it! ACV does hurt my teeth... I sprinkled in some baking soda this morning and that helped to buffer it. I brushed my teeth right after as well. Any other suggestions appreciated. I encourage you to try this if you feel even a twinge. I wish I had looked for it and implemented it a week ago. Many blessings to all!
Argan Oil
Posted by Irina (New York, NY) on 07/19/2023
★★★★★
Culinary Argan Oil for frozen shoulder and muscle spasms
A few years ago, I suffered from terrible muscle spasms for several months. I started taking 1 teaspoon of culinary argan oil coincidentally during this time and about 2 weeks after taking it, the spasms completely went away. I suggested it to 2 other people I know who also had muscle spasms and after they took argan oil, their symptoms disappeared as well - they both took the recommended 1 tablespoon a day. A few years later, I woke up randomly with a frozen shoulder, and after suffering from it for several months, I thought to take argan oil for it, and again, within 2-3 weeks, my frozen shoulder stiffness and pain dramatically decreased - I'm about 90-95% healed now and I continue to take 1 teaspoon of argan oil a day - make sure it's the culinary form, not the topical form. I've taken both argan oil from Israel and from Morocco and they've both worked, but you have to be careful to use a reputable brand that's organic.
Nattokinase
Posted by Deborah (MI) on 02/27/2022
★★★★★
I wanted to add my wonderful experience using Nattokinase I ordered off Amazon. I had a horrid knot in my left calf for three straight months. I thought it was a spasm but it never went away no matter what I tried. I think it was a clot. Took the Nattokinase and after 3 days the pain was totally gone. Took two 800mg capsules per directions on the label. So happy I tried this.
Multiple Remedies
Posted by John (CA) on 02/06/2022
★★★★☆
I am not reporting on the use of Acupressure but to state that after reading through all the remedies that produce results seem to have one common denominator. This is to divert the mind from acknowledging the cramp if only for a very short time. From pinching the upper lip, pressing between the toes to the point of being uncomfortable to eating a good dose of yellow mustard the result is the same. The mind's attention is diverted just enough to break the horrible feedback loop that keeps the cramp going. I get cramps very often and what works for as a male is to get up and urinate. That sensation is usually enough to knock the cramping muscle out of the cycle. This is also true of drinking pickle juice; a strong enough taste to distract your mind. The one solution I have a hard time fitting into this hypotheses is the use of a bar of soap under your fitted sheet. Placed down near the calves it is supposed to relieve nightly cramps. This did produce about a month and a half of blissful, cramp free sleep. But it seems to have lost its effectiveness. Too bad really. I thought I had finally found a solution to this issue.
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Suzanne (IN) on 02/10/2022
Have you tried magnesium? Magnesium is usually what a body needs if it is cramping and has always worked for me and fast.
Turmeric and Olive Oil
Posted by Constance (Columbia, SC) on 03/19/2021
★★★★★
Tumeric and Olive Oil mixed and applied to muscle spasms works.
I have found great relief for various body ailments on earth clinic and they really did help me. Thanks so much!
B6
Posted by GertJr (Madison) on 02/24/2021
Thanks for the recommendation to take B6 for leg/feet cramping. Mine cramp so bad a night and I have to get up and walk around. It's like a metal bar along my calf sometimes, hard as a rock and so very painful. I am not dehydrated and get plenty of magnesium/potassium.
Those 3 things have been recommended, and mag oil, too, but don't solve the problem. I've recently started a new brand of multivitamin, so we'll see if that helps, too. But I have B6 on hand and will give it a try.
Magnesium, Tonic Water
Posted by Gertjr (Madison) on 10/02/2020
Is he taking anything? When I took statins, the leg cramps were horrific. Nothing would make them stop and then I'd be sore for days. I took statins for 3 days and I think this triggered my ongoing cramping. Not so bad anymore, years later, but still the same spot. I think it's damage. Just a thought. Good luck. I, too, tried magnesium and all sorts of things to no avail. What did help me was a heating pad wrapped around the cramping site.
Vitamin B-6
Posted by Heidi H. (United States) on 10/12/2019
★★★★★
Muscle cramps stop immediately with vitamin B6. I suffered for years, horrible pain. I am so glad that someone told me to try vitamin B6. I buy it at a big box store because it's cheap there and I have it always with me..
Simple Exercises
Posted by Mary Beth (Pittsburgh) on 09/20/2019
★★★★☆
Leg Cramp Reliever I have been impressed that this works for leg and feet cramps. I saw this guide in Peggy Brill's book, "The Core Program". She suggests you do these exercises -- all of them -- ten times, before you go to bed. Lie on your back with legs flat, keeping your hands at your sides, palms up. Retract your neck: elongate the back of your neck by tucking your chin down towards your chest. Hold this, holding for six seconds, and then release it. Next, press your shoulders together and down into the mat or bed. Hold and count for six seconds -- and then release. Next, cough to pull your rib cage down. This will contract your abdominal muscles. Hold for six and then release it. Next, tilt your pubic bone, as if toward your navel. Thus, you will flatten your abdominals into the mat or bed. Hold for six and release it. Final exercise (in this set -- because you will do these ten times) -- extend your legs as long as possible while also pressing the backs of the knees into the bed or mat. Flex your feet at the same time. Hold for six and release it. People (like my mom) have serious problems with this pain in the middle of the night. This JUST might HELP!
Acupressure
Posted by Natalia (Mexico) on 12/18/2022
★★★★★
It works for me, too! 4 days in a row. I'm such a skeptic, still wondering if it's my imagination that a cramp is coming on…, but I'll keep doing this, what a simple solution.
Magnesium
Posted by Grace (Camp) on 09/26/2017
★☆☆☆☆
I soak in epsom salts, apply mag oil, take a mag tablet daily, add potassium with my supplements, etc and still have leg cramps. No prescription meds to cause it. What else can I try?
Magnesium
Posted by Carnic Eagle (Australia ) on 09/27/2017
I sometimes find it's more circulation issue than than lactic acid build up? I have found stinging nettle herb great.
Tonic Water with Quinine
Posted by Fran (01247) on 09/08/2016
★★★★★
For leg cramps, I use 1 glass of tonic water each evening! it must have QUININE as an ingredient. Polar and Schweppes, have natural quinine! I am sure other brands must have it but, some don't !!
Tonic Water with Quinine
Posted by Timothy (CA) on 04/03/2023
★★★★★
It works, keep a small bottle next to my bed and if wake up with cramps, I drink some.
Have been using for over 4 years (DR's advice). Recently flew to Europe with my wife from SFO, developed bad hand cramps. Got Quinine/Tonic water from the stewardess and it helped but relief did not last. I take (2) Shaklee OsteoMatrix daily contains 1,000 mg calcium carbonate and 40 mg Magnesum. Has anyone try Quinine supplements?
Milk of Magnesia
Posted by Erica (La Jolla, California) on 06/26/2016
★★★★★
The instant and best remedy for us has been to
apply milk of magnesium on the calf or wherever the cramp is.
One time while in Hawaii on vacation, I got this horrible cramp after being in a hot pool. I used to use magnesium oil at home applied generously and rubbed in the muscle at home. Since the only magnesium in liquid form found in a grocery store by the hotel was the milk of magnesium we tried it and it worked great just like the magnesium oil. Now when ever we travel we take it along just in case. This is our insurance.
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Paulette (Celina, Tx.) on 04/05/2015
Also, try a spoon of yellow mustard. And put a bar of soap {I use Cares} under the bottom sheet on your bed down by your legs. I read about this in the newspaper and it works. Hope it works for you.
Buffered Salt
Posted by Richard (Florida, US) on 04/04/2015
★★★★★
I found what works for me and a buddy of mine for muscle cramps is a teaspoon of celtic sea salt (fine ground) mixed in about 12 to 13 oz water. I usually use purified or reverse osmosis water. When the cramps start I drink half the water and they usually stop within 1 - 2 minutes. Best way I've found to avoid the cramps, is to consume the whole mixture by having sips during the course of the day and and as a result I don't have any cramps at night. I make sure I have a bottle of the salt water mix close at hand and drink some of it when I feel the onset of cramping about to start.
'Incline bed therapy' is also what I use. I find the benefits of Incline Bed Therapy on the internet most informative.
Magnesium
Posted by Ruth (Ct., US) on 07/29/2014
Hi Dave, Thank you for your reply. I'm quite sure my neuropathy was caused by the antibiotic Cipro. I was talked into taking 2 doses in a row from food poisoning from a restaurant. Lost 20 pounds in 20 days...Then about 1 month later I came down with SEVERE neuropathy. There must be a protocol for reversing neuropathy caused by cipro but I can't find one...I have been taking many, many supplements for neuropathy...
I have also tried BHT but can't take it...Am waiting to get approved for Sovaldi which has been curing over 90% of people with genotype 1a hepatitis c.
Is 2 amino ethyl phosphoric acid the same as Calcium AEP? I have a bottle of Calcium AEP and started to take it and it seemed like my neuropathy got worse...I stopped taking it then tried it again in a month and the same thing happened...
I have been getting phlebotomies once a month-1 pint and my enzymes are going down- one is 56 and the other is 113...I guess getting the iron out of my liver effects the enzymes...
My hives started the next day after I took magnesium...I stopped taking it and they went away...About 10 days later I took magnesium again and the same thing happened...I have tried several types of magnesium and the same thing happens...
Thanks again for your feedback. There is an answer out there.
Potassium
Posted by Bill (San Fernando, Philippines) on 06/05/2014
Hi Cindy...I would start supplementing both magnesium and potassium for your cramp problems. Start supplementing potassium gluconate(100 mgs three times a day with food) and magnesium citrate (250 mgs twice a day). Or you can buy the Magnesium Oil (which is a saturated solution of magnesium chloride) and just rub that on the skin over the cramping areas at night. Magnesium oil gets rapidly absorbed transdermally from the skin into the blood. You can also take magnesium oil orally -- 10 drops, twice a day, in a glass of water with food. I normally take high doses of magnesium -- over 1000 mgs per day -- and the body usually has no problems getting rid of magnesium unless you specifically have kidney problems.
Perhaps you should also eat more potassium rich foods like dark green leafy veg, baked potato, beans, avocados, plain yogurt, mushrooms and bananas.
Your dizziness might be a blood flow problem in the brain. I had dizziness and cramps when I had systemic candida. I also had racing heart problems. I found that using Ted's alkalizing remedies, supplementing iodine and supplementing Magnesium Chloride cured all those problems.
I would therefore also advise that you supplement a strong liquid kelp extract. The iodine in the kelp will help fix any low thyroid problems that you may have and kelp also contains a huge and beneificial array of minerals that will also help you as well.
It might also benefit you to also take niacin in the form of slow release niacin (like Inositol hexanicotinate). Take two 1500 mgs doses (morning and evening) with food per day. You will not get the niacin flush using this form of slow release niacin. The niacin will help to change and thin the blood safely -- allowing better blood flow to the brain so that there can be no cause or reason for your dizziness. You should also always take B50 complex(once a day at breakfast) and vitamin C (1000 mgs three times per day) together with the niacin for best effect.
