Should you rub a charley horse?

A charley horse will usually go away after a few hours or days. However, gentle massage or holding the muscle in a stretched position will help resolve the cramp more quickly.

What is the fastest way to get rid of a Charlie horse?

Massage, a bath with Epsom salts, or a heating pad can relax the muscle. To fight pain, use an ice pack or take an over-the-counter medication like ibuprofen or naproxen. In most cases, the charley horse will stop within a few minutes. But if you get them often and for no clear reason, tell your doctor.

How do you massage a charlie horse in your calf?

Apply pressure to site of the cramp.

Press thumbs gently into the site of the cramp, at the center of the calf muscle, maintaining pressure for 2–3 minutes. As this is a sensitive site, apply pressure gradually. This counteracts the spasm and will eventually bring the muscle back to a relaxed state.

How do you stop a charlie horse in the moment?

Stretch it out.

"You should forcefully stretch the affected muscle. For calf spasm or charley horse, point the toes of the affected leg toward your head while keeping the knee extended," says Dr. Jaffee.

How do you stop a charlie horse cramp?

7 Ways to Relieve and Prevent Leg Cramps at Night

Stretch your hamstring and calf muscles during the day and before you go to bed. Drink plenty of water throughout the day and watch your alcohol and caffeine consumption. Try mild exercises before bed, such as walking or riding the stationary bike for a few minutes.

Top 3 Ways To Treat Muscle Spasms or Cramps (Charley Horse)

Why are charley horses so painful?

Charley horses can occur in any muscle, but they're most common in the legs. These spasms are marked by uncomfortable muscle contractions. If the contracting muscles don't relax for several seconds or more, the pain can be severe.

Why do charley horses happen at night?

Experts don't know the exact cause of nighttime leg cramps. They could happen because your nerves send the wrong signals to your muscles. For example, your brain might mistakenly tell your leg to move while you dream. That confuses your calf muscles and causes them to contract.

What triggers a charley horse?

Overuse of a muscle, dehydration, muscle strain or simply holding a position for a prolonged period can cause a muscle cramp. In many cases, however, the cause isn't known. Although most muscle cramps are harmless, some may be related to an underlying medical condition, such as: Inadequate blood supply.

What's the quickest way to get rid of leg cramps?

How do I stop a leg cramp? Try forcefully stretching the affected muscle (for example, stretch your calf muscle by flexing your foot upward). Jiggle your leg, massage it, or force yourself to walk. It might also help to apply ice or heat – use a heating pad or take a warm bath.

Why do they call it a charley horse?

We know that the term charley horse originated when American baseball players were describing the cramps. Possibly, the players named the painful cramps in reference to a lame horse named Charley that worked at the Chicago White Sox playing field in the late 1800s.

Is it OK to massage muscle spasm?

Massage. Massage can be a great way to relieve physical pain and muscle cramps. Gently rub the muscle that's in spasm. For a persisting back spasm, try pinching the area around it hard and holding the pinch for a few minutes.

Where do you massage a charlie horse?

One massage you should try is to apply pressure to the cramp. You can also use both thumbs to apply pressure gradually until the pain eases. If your charley horse is in your leg, stand up and step into a lunge with your non-cramped leg forward. Straighten your back leg with the cramp.

How do you sleep with a charlie horse?

At bedtime, you can gently stretch your legs before tucking in. And un-tuck your sheets - that way, your feet are not compressed into contorted positions in the night. While painful, a nighttime Charley horse often happens for no reason and is rarely cause for alarm or a sign of anything more serious.

How long can a charley horse last?

Scientists understand that a charley horse occurs when muscles suddenly cramp or tighten, resulting in pain. The condition most typically happens in the calf muscle at the back of the lower leg. The sudden and uncontrollable spasm is often brief, but it can last up to 10 minutes .

What is your body lacking when you have leg cramps?

If you have frequent leg cramps, one reason could be that your body needs more of the mineral magnesium. A 2017 study reported that up to two-thirds of the American population is magnesium deficient. Magnesium is the fourth most abundant mineral in the body and is essential for regulating your body's functioning.

Why are leg cramps worse at night?

We often sleep with our feet and toes extending away from the rest of our bodies, a position called plantar flexion. This shortens the calf muscles, making them more susceptible to cramping.

Do you put heat or ice on a Charlie horse?

Heat will relax the muscle at first. Ice may be helpful after the first spasm and when the pain has improved. If the muscle is still sore after heat and ice, you can use nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines to help with pain. In more severe cases, your health care provider can prescribe antispasm medicines.

Can dehydration cause charley horses?

Dehydration may play a role in the development of charley horses. Staying hydrated throughout the day can help prevent it from happening.

What's the difference between a Charlie horse and a cramp?

A sustained muscle spasm is called a muscle cramp. Leg muscles, especially the quadriceps (thigh), hamstrings (back of thigh), and gastrocnemius (calves), are most likely to cramp, but any skeletal muscle in the body can cramp. A "charley horse" is another name for a muscle cramp.

Why does pickle juice help leg cramps?

The science behind why it works

While it hasn't been proven yet, researchers posit that pickle juice may help cramps by triggering muscular reflexes when the liquid contacts the back of the throat. This reflex shuts down the misfiring of neurons in muscle all over the body, and “turns off” the cramping feeling.

Will heat help a charley horse?

You usually don't need treatment for muscle cramps. You may be able to find some relief from cramps by: Stretching or gently massaging the muscle. Applying heat when the muscle is tight and ice when the muscle is sore.

How can you tell the difference between a blood clot and a leg cramp?

Timing: DVT symptoms are usually subtle at the start and then gradually increase over days. Cramps are the opposite. They typically start suddenly and feel severe but go away just as quickly and last only seconds to minutes. Cramps also most commonly occur in the middle of the night.

Can a charley horse cause damage?

Most people know the pain of a muscle cramp or "charley horse." Muscle cramps are involuntary muscle contractions. They are common. But even though they can be quite painful, they don't usually cause damage.

Can you get a blood clot from a charley horse?

Depending on the duration of a Charlie Horse, pain can be quite severe and soreness may exists for hours or even up to a day afterward. A blood clot is known as a thrombus.

Why did I wake up with a charley horse?

Charley horses are painful leg cramps or spasms that occur suddenly and without warning. They can have many causes, like dehydration, nutrient deficiency (especially magnesium, potassium, or calcium), physical inactivity, prolonged sitting, with or without bad leg positioning, and muscle fatigue.