Leg cramps can ruin your sleep at night. They can cause discomfort and sharp, shooting pain that can last from a few seconds to 10 minutes. The spasms may cease or repeatedly come back to haunt you, interfering with your sleep. So, how you do heal from leg cramps?
Orthopedic Footcare, experts in orthopedic shoes, explains in depth.
What are leg cramps?
Leg cramps are caused by a number of reasons. It’s usually a harmless condition where your calf muscles contract, causing a sharp jolt of pain that leaves you immobile momentarily. Cramps can hit other parts of your leg too such as your feet and thighs.
Secondary leg cramps can occur during pregnancy, after or during exercise, from clogged arteries, dehydration, after taking certain medications to reduce cholesterol or liver disease. Usually, the pain subsides on its own but if they occur frequently, speak with your family doctor, especially if you suffer from numbness or swelling.
5 Ways to Treat Leg Cramps
Pain from leg cramps can be relieved by exercising the affected muscles. Certain stretches work well.
- Stretching Exercise: Stand on a step with your feet halfway in, your heels hanging off the edge. Lower your heels slowly until they are below the step. Hold for a few seconds, then lift your heels up to starting position. Repeat. Regular stretching can lessen the frequency until the pain subsides totally.
- Sleeping Postures: When you sleep, lie on your back, pointing your toe upwards. Prop up your feet on a pillow to increase blood flow towards the calf and thighs. If you sleep on your stomach, hang your feet over the edge of the bed to relax your muscles.
- Pain Relieving Ointments: Use muscle relaxant ointments from any drugstore
- Secondary Leg Cramps: For secondary leg cramps, you need to treat the deeper causes to relieve the symptoms. Pregnant women are normally relieved from leg cramps after the birth of the baby.
- Compression Stockings: Compression socks and stockings can help alleviate pain and strengthen the area. You can wear compression socks before your stretching exercises to prevent discomfort too. Use it for a few days in a row till the pain decreases. Compression stockings reduce pain by increasing blood flow to the affected area. Arteries distribute blood to different areas of the body. When arteries are clogged, blood flow is obstructed, causing pain and swelling. Compression stockings help relieve pain from varicose veins and clogged arteries by enhancing blood distribution to legs and calves.
When Should You Wear Compression Stockings
If you suffer from leg cramps, pain or burning sensation, do not delay. Address the issue as soon as possible. Discomfort can occur after hours of travel, sports, standing for too long or walking excessively, overstraining the muscles. If ignored, these could lead to varicose veins.
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Compression stockings or socks increase blood and oxygen circulation to the lower regions.
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Wearing the stockings lead to faster recovery when combined with physical therapy and medications under a doctor’s care. Make sure your body is well hydrated too.
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They are useful for travellers, post-surgery patients, and those healing from torn ligaments, muscle injury or deep vein thrombosis.
Orthopedic Footcare, Mississauga
Compression stockings come in various lengths, styles and thickness, and are used for different conditions. Check out our range at Orthopedic Footcare in Mississauga or browse through our website. We carry several brands such as Sigvaris, Bauerfeind, Truform, CXS and Life Socs.
If you are looking for foot support, we offer custom products that help you heal faster or provide you comfort as you go about your daily activities. Call us to find out how we can help you.
