Cramps
Leg or foot spasms can cause sudden pains in
bed which disrupt sleep. They commonly occur
with strenuous exercise, when using a group of
muscles repeatedly, or when circulation is cut off
from sitting awkwardly. Most cramps last only a
few seconds, and at most a few minutes. Leg
cramps are particularly common in pregnant
women and the elderly. Menstrual cramps, also
known as dysmenorrhea, cause pain and
discomfort in the lower back and abdomen.
The uncontrolled contraction of muscle fibers
causes cramps and is more common when
circulation is poor, or when the limbs are cold or
being exercised unusually strenuously. It will
also occur when the body is over acidic. Cramps
that occur after exercise are usually due to lactic
acid build-up from not warming up enough
beforehand and from muscle overuse. If
twitching accompanies cramping, an overstrained
nervous system will also be at fault. Writer's cramp
is the result of repeated use of the same muscles
in the hand. Leg cramps that occur at night
often signal a lack of minerals necessary for
muscle contraction, especially calcium and
magnesium, or insufficient oxygen supply from poor
circulation. Magnesium, for instance, is lost
through alcohol and coffee, which leach this
mineral from the body. Acidic foods are also a
problem, including white vinegar, which is
found in many foods such as pickles,
mayonnaise, mustard and salad dressings. Apple cider
vinegar and other natural wine vinegars are not
a problem.
Cramps are more likely to occur in the heat
and during vigorous exercise, when a great deal
of water and minerals may be lost through
perspiration. If muscle cramps are related to
dehydration from heat, exercise or loss of body fluids,
water and salt are needed immediately to
prevent collapse. If leg cramps or a heaviness in the
legs appear after minimal exercise, such as a
short walk, the cause usually lies in the more
serious arteriosclerosis and
thrombosis in the
veins.
Menstrual cramping is the result of the uterus contracting when the
menstrual period begins, but it can also be caused by
pelvic inflammatory
disease or similar disorders, especially if the cramping occurs apart from the
period.
Supplements and herbs
Most cramps, whatever the form, can quickly be
relieved with calcium and magnesium
supplements. Both of these minerals are important for
nerve conduction and muscle contraction.
- Betaine HCI is a digestive aid which acidifies
those minerals so they are more easily
absorbed by the body.
- Silica helps calcium assimilation and should
be taken as well.
- Pantothenic acid is necessary for the nervous
system.
- With a B complex, imbalances among the B
vitamins can be prevented.
- Vitamin E is highly recommended when
cramps arise from poor circulation. Vitamin
E improves oxygen supply by opening the
blood vessels. The elderly with nightly leg
cramps and restlessness will find vitamin E
particularly beneficial.
- Coenzyme Q10 also increases oxygen supply to
the tissues, and should be taken additionally when circulation is poor.
Herbal juices, tinctures, baths and compresses provide soothing relief for
muscle cramps.
- For cramps and spasms take 1 tbsp. yarrow
juice daily. Yarrow relaxes and dilates blood
vessels. Silverweed juice supports the action
of yarrow synergistically.
- Take 5-10 drops wild yam tincture in liquid to
relax smooth muscle.
- To build up the blood, drink an Iron Cocktail
every day for a week: combine 2 tbsp. stinging
nettle juice or spinach juice, 4 tbsp. red beet
juice and 2 tbsp. yarrow juice; mix with grape
juice for oxygenation.
- Rub St. John's wort oil into the muscle
to dilate the capillaries and help relax tense
muscles.
- Apply hot herbal compresses or poultices of
St. John's wort leaves and blossoms, yarrow,
comfrey or horsetail grasses.
- A warm rosemary bath is relaxing for tense
muscles. Add 5 drops rosemary oil to bath
water.
- Muscle cramps can be released by massaging
with arnica lotion or
eucalyptus oil. Do not
rub arnica into open cuts or wounds.
Homeopathy
Take the remedy in the 6, 12 or 30, according to symptom severity, every
30 minutes to just a few times per day, as needed. Good results are also
obtained in severe cramping with repeated doses of the 200c.
- Belladonna
Sudden, intense cramps in the colon, appendix, etc. with inflammation.
Sharp pains come and go suddenly. Hot, throbbing, distended abdomen.
Flushed face, throbbing head, feverish, dilated pupils. Restless, anxious.
Worse: motion, least jarring, lying on painful side, deep breath. Better:
lying on stomach, passing gas, leaning back or forward, light pressure.
- Chamomilla
Griping, cutting around navel, pain in low back.
Colic, flatus in infants.
Diarrhea with green stool, like chopped spinach, with sulphurous smell.
Belches rotten egg smell. Red cheeks, hot
sweats. Restless, angry.
No relief from passing gas. Worse: warmth, night, touch, eating, coffee,
night, 9 a.m. or 9 p.m. Better: heat, pressure, rubbing, cold applications.
- Colocynthis
Cramping, squeezing pains, rolling in pain. Restless, moaning in pain.
Colic proceeded by flatus. Extends to rectum, low back. Doubled up.
Irritable, restless. Effects of anger or humiliation. Faintness with cramps.
Worse: eating, drinking, anger, 6 a.m., night, lying on stomach. Better:
bending double, warmth, hard pressure, coffee, after stool or gas, motion.
- Dioscorea
Griping pains around navel. Violent twisting, grinding episodes of colic.
Pains stop suddenly, start elsewhere. Pains dart, radiate everywhere;
from abdomen to back, chest, arms. Walks for relief, even though tired.
Worse: bending double, lying, sitting, drinking tea, eating, 2 a.m., evening.
Better: standing erect, bending backwards, open air, hard pressure, motion.
- Nux vomica
Constipation with urging, straining.
Hemorrhoids, hernia, acid reflux.
Griping pain. Cramps from gas. Stomach cramps after breakfast, after
eating, evening after lying down, after stool, with
nausea. Jerking, spasms.
Effects of alcohol, overeating, drugs. Angry, irritable, driven, impatient.
Worse: pressure of clothes, morning, touch, spices, cold. Better: milk.
- Plumbum
Violent colic, sensation as if abdominal wall was drawn in by a string.
Pains in abdomen, radiating to all parts of body. Stone hard abdomen.
Feels contracted, stretches violently in all directions. Hard, knotty stool.
Insomnia from cramps. Quiet depression, weak memory. Worse: night,
motion, touch. Better: hard pressure, rubbing, bending backward, warmth.
What else you can do
- If the cramps are in the calves, put the feet up
occasionally.
- Apply hot compresses dipped in a solution of
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar. and 1 cup hot
water during intense cramping.
- Warm baths are relaxing for tense muscles.
Add 2 or more cups of apple cider vinegar to
bath water.
- Avoid tight shoes and clothing which cuts off
circulation and causes cramps and spasms.
- Stretch before and after exercising.
- Cold-water stepping will help alleviate night
cramps.
How much to take
- Calcium, 1,500 mg in divided doses
- Magnesium, 750 mg in divided doses
- Betaine HCI, 5 capsules three times daily with
meals
- Vitamin E, with mixed tocopherols, 400-800 IU
- Silica, 3-6 capsules
- Vitamin B complex, 100 mg with 100 mg
pantothenic acid
- Coenzyme Q10, 60 mg
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