Causes & Treatment for Cramping Calves

Cramping calves is a painful condition that plagues many athletes, although it does occasionally affect non-athletic individuals as well. The causes and treatments for cramping calves are usually related. When you can determine the most likely cause for your own calf cramps, it is easiest to determine the best treatment for your situation.

Lack of Potassium

• Too little potassium in the muscles frequently leads to muscle cramps. Prevent cramping by eating plenty of bananas, potatoes and other potassium-rich foods, particularly before working out or engaging in other physical activities.

Dehydration and Lack of Electrolytes

• Muscles cramp far more easily when your body is dehydrated or lacking in electrolytes. Fortunately, both of these issues can be solved the same way: by drinking electrolyte-filled sports drinks such as Powerade, Gatorade or Muscle Milk. Drinking at least 8 glasses of water per day will also help prevent cramps and improve overall health.

Stretching

• Calves cramp far more easily when you participate in physical activity without stretching first to warm up your muscles. Stretch your calves before exercising by lunging forward or lifting your leg behind your back with your hands. Stretching your calves out can also relieve cramps. The best way to relieve calf cramps by stretching is to straighten your leg out in front of you and pull up on the top of your foot.

Immediate Treatment

• While increasing certain nutrients and stretching before physical activity can treat cramps and also help prevent them, sometimes cramps call for immediate soothing. Warming the area with a heating pad or in a tub of warm water will provide fast relief. Rubbing the calf with your hands will also relax the muscle and stop the cramp.

Medical Attention

• If you have frequent cramps that aren't helped with other methods, your doctor can prescribe a muscle relaxant to relax your muscles and prevent cramps.