| Waking up in the middle of the night with a | | | | their shoulders down.This technique is only first aid |
| muscle cramp in your calf is not fun. What can be | | | | for a muscle cramp, and does not address the |
| worse is having a partner or spouse wake you up | | | | cause. The cause for most muscle cramps is a |
| with a muscle cramp and not knowing what to do | | | | deficiency of minerals, particularly calcium, |
| to help them. If you do the wrong thing, such as | | | | magnesium, and potassium.The muscle cramps |
| stretching the cramped muscle, you can hurt your | | | | that happen in the middle of the night are typically |
| partner.There is a simple technique known to | | | | caused by a deficiency of calcium and magnesium. |
| many massage therapists that will cause an | | | | Sources of calcium include dairy products, leafy |
| immediate release of muscle cramps in a very | | | | green vegetables, seeds and nuts, and seaweeds. |
| safe way. It does this by tricking the body to | | | | Sources of magnesium include seeds, nuts, leafy |
| release the cramp.The way to release a cramp in | | | | green vegetables, and my favorite, dark |
| the back of the calf is hold the top of your | | | | chocolate.Potassium deficiencies can also cause |
| partners foot down, then have your partner try | | | | muscle cramps. Potassium is lost with the body |
| to raise their toes and the top of their foot | | | | fluids such as with sweating, vomiting, diarrhea, |
| against your resistance. The cramp should release | | | | and through the urine with diuretic drugs. |
| within seconds. Then you can gently massage and | | | | Potassium deficiency cramps are more common |
| stretch out the cramp. To see a video clip | | | | after athletic events or after illness. Potassium can |
| demonstrating this technique, please visit my | | | | be restored with electrolyte drinks such as |
| website listed at the bottom of this article.Having | | | | Gatorade, or with fruits (bananas, oranges), |
| your partner try to raise the front of their foot | | | | vegetables, soup broth, and juices.When a small |
| will cause the muscles on the front of their calf to | | | | child or infant is having muscle cramps it can be a |
| contract. When one muscle contracts, the | | | | medical emergency. They have much smaller |
| opposing muscle is sent signals to relax. This | | | | stores of potassium to begin with, and a |
| happens so that we don't fight our own | | | | deficiency will affect the skeletal muscles first |
| movements. The contraction of the muscles on | | | | before affecting the heart. Electrolyte drinks such |
| the front of the calf will cause the muscles on the | | | | as Pedialite can replenish the potassium.With |
| back of the calf to relax.This technique can be | | | | proper nutrition and the application of this |
| used on any muscle in the body. You just have to | | | | technique muscle cramps should no longer be a |
| have your partner try to stretch out the | | | | problem.The Healing Arts Institute, directed by Dr. |
| cramping muscle while you hold them to prevent | | | | James Mally, N.D., is one of the leading |
| the stretch from happening. For instance with a | | | | Sacramento massage schools. Initial training, |
| cramp in the bottom of the foot hold their toes | | | | continuing education massage classes and |
| down and have them try to raise their toes | | | | instructional training videos-DVDs such as the full |
| against resistance. If your partner has a low back | | | | body massage DVD are offered for sale. |
| spasm have them try to sit up while you hold | | | | |