Muscle cramps are a common issue across the general population, but some people are more prone to suffering them than others.

What are Cramps?

When a muscle contracts, each tiny fibre within the tissue pulls itself shorter. When it stops receiving the signal to contract, it relaxes. This all happens quickly and in unison. When there is a cramp, some of the fibres in a muscle get stuck and are unable to relax. This usually happens in one small area, but sometimes a cramp can move around, affecting one group of fibres after another, causing a rippling effect under the skin.

Ultimately, it’s the result of the nervous system misfiring, which could answer why some chronic pain conditions come with cramping. This is not to say there’s a central neurological problem. Like other systems, high intensity usage can fatigue the signalling mechanism and cause errors that way- this might be the case for cramps during exercise.

Who is More Prone to Developing Cramps?

Some demographics are more likely to cramp than others. They include but are not limited to:

• Pregnant women

• People over the age of 65

• Athletes

• People with fibromyalgia

• Certain medications and conditions are also linked with the symptom.

It’s a common misconception that athletes cramp when their electrolyte balance is off. The link has been disproven, but hydration is still important- seemingly more important than pre-exercise stretching. For leg cramps in pregnancy, which often occur in the night, there may be more of a link to the rapidly changing demand on the calves as they carry more weight in a forward position, requiring them to work harder to keep upright. Symptoms do tend to resolve quickly after giving birth.

What can be Done?

Pain often strikes in the night and passes quickly, so exercises you can do for yourself are key. For relief in the moment, stretches can be the answer. Your osteopath can prescribe exercises for the affected muscle at your first appointment. You might also find that massage helps to prevent or reduce the symptoms: this can be performed by your osteopath and may be possible for you to do at home too. If appropriate, you might also be asked to use a warm compress on the muscle to help it to relax before periods that tend to be problematic for you. Heat seems to be more effective than stretching for exercise induced cramp.

As always, as part of your examination, the osteopath will look at how the rest of your body behaves. This might highlight other areas that are functioning sub-optimally. If so, we can work on these issues to take pressure of your symptomatic area. In any case, your treatment plan and exercises will be tailored to your case, and monitored as we go. We may also suggest a medication review if it’s been a while since you’ve had one, as medication interactions can sometimes be the cause.

Click here to make an appointment for your cramp in Flitwick