foot cramp

[kleenex40]

I get them now and then, i get out of bed and start walking around if that dont help i rub the spot where it hurts -but you have to press firmly .that usally works for me

[constance312003]

Yes i get them. I find if I take calcium tablets I dont get them as often. 

[kapeh12]

For me, there are a couple main reasons for my calf/foot cramps.  First is vitamin/mineral imbalance.  Imbalances tend to trigger the "charliehorse" type cramping.  The trick here it to determine what you are deficient in and adjust your diet to add a little bit more.  Most common deficiencies causing cramping are lack of potassium, magnesium and calcium.  Sometimes dehydration is a factor.  So if you think this is the issue, be sure to drink a little extra water, and include foods or supplements that increase your potassium, magnesium and calcium intake (spinach, broccoli, almonds, raisins, banans, etc).

The other main cause for me, as I'm very athletic, is plain overused/tight muscles that need extra massaging to loosen up.  If you think this is part of the cause, to loosen your foot muscles, I suggest taking either a racketball (if you have one) or a tennis ball (better for first time massaging) - place the ball on the floor and your foot on top.  Then roll your foot on the ball finding the tight/knotted areas, and spend a little time rolling over those spots.  Do this for a few minutes each foot every day or every other day.  Second, you can use the same ball or get yourself a foam roller, and use that to roll out your calf muscles.  Sit on the floor with your leg on the ball/roller and roll up and down your calf finding the tight/knotted muscles and spend 30-60 seconds rolling out each tight area.  Be sure to roll on the outside, center and inside of your calf.  If you have tight calf muscles, that often puts strain on your foot muscles.

Lastly, once you work out the tight/knotted muscles, it would be a good idea to do some calf raises and basic calf stretching a couple times a week - this will help strengthen your calf and foot muscles and keep them loose, and less prone to cramping.

[shepherdchik]

I have been getting them more frequently and I think it's because I started exercising. I have to stretch really well afterwords. When I used to tell my grandma I had cramps in my hands or feet she would tell me to have a banana because you need potassium, that causes some cramping

[esperanzaa19]

I'm pretty much always getting them at night when i'm going to sleep 

[sgluckadoo]

For me, there are a couple main reasons for my calf/foot cramps.  First is vitamin/mineral imbalance.  Imbalances tend to trigger the "charliehorse" type cramping.  The trick here it to determine what you are deficient in and adjust your diet to add a little bit more.  Most common deficiencies causing cramping are lack of potassium, magnesium and calcium.  Sometimes dehydration is a factor.  So if you think this is the issue, be sure to drink a little extra water, and include foods or supplements that increase your potassium, magnesium and calcium intake (spinach, broccoli, almonds, raisins, banans, etc).

The other main cause for me, as I'm very athletic, is plain overused/tight muscles that need extra massaging to loosen up.  If you think this is part of the cause, to loosen your foot muscles, I suggest taking either a racketball (if you have one) or a tennis ball (better for first time massaging) - place the ball on the floor and your foot on top.  Then roll your foot on the ball finding the tight/knotted areas, and spend a little time rolling over those spots.  Do this for a few minutes each foot every day or every other day.  Second, you can use the same ball or get yourself a foam roller, and use that to roll out your calf muscles.  Sit on the floor with your leg on the ball/roller and roll up and down your calf finding the tight/knotted muscles and spend 30-60 seconds rolling out each tight area.  Be sure to roll on the outside, center and inside of your calf.  If you have tight calf muscles, that often puts strain on your foot muscles.

Lastly, once you work out the tight/knotted muscles, it would be a good idea to do some calf raises and basic calf stretching a couple times a week - this will help strengthen your calf and foot muscles and keep them loose, and less prone to cramping.

great advice thanks!

[greenmellojello]

Anyone else suffer from frequent foot cramps at night? Like a charlie horse cramp in your arch. It is awful. Ideas?

Hi this is greenmellojello...i suffer from the same problem...those hurt soooo bad they make me want to cry...but what i do is walk it off till it goes away...that usually helps...try it and see if it helps you out.

[greenmellojello]

      :- Yep those hurt really bad...i have the same problem but what i do is just simply walk it off and that usually helps...I was also wondering what else would help better... i need some relief from that as well. Let me know..this is greenmellojello talk to every1 later, bye.