Charley Horse

Pregnant women often experience charley horses during their pregnancy. Expecting mamas tell tales of waking up in excruciating pain unable to straighten their legs. Having personally experienced such paralyzing moments, I mentioned it to a masseuse. She said to point the toes up toward the knee in a calf stretch. If that is too painful or impossible, you should use your hands and massage the calf in a circular motion. Also remember to stay hydrated during those taxing months!
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You're asking, and I'm answering . . .

Hey Fit!
For the past few weeks I have been experiencing incredibly painful Charley Horses in my sleep once or twice a week. I have never endured this kind of cramping before, and it is beginning to interrupt my sleep schedule, not to mention my workout schedule. I do at least an hour of cardio every day (usually on the elliptical or treadmill) and I'm not sure if I should stop or if the Charley Horses are completely unrelated! What do you think?
Charley Horse Girl

I was plagued by Charley Horses when I was pregnant, so I can totally relate to how disruptive they can be. To see my suggestions on dealing with these nocturnal cramps, just read more

No one knows the origin of the term Charley Horse, but when you are in the grips of one of these awful nocturnal cramps you don't really care if it comes from an early baseball player or an injured race horse. You just want the pain to stop. And just like the origin of the expression, no one has yet to pinpoint a single cause for these cramps. There are many theories as to why they happen — what actions or inactions contribute to them. There are also many steps you can take to prevent them.

A Charley Horse could be caused by overexertion of the muscles, structural disorders like flat feet, prolonged standing on concrete, prolonged sitting, inappropriate leg positions while sedentary (another reason why crossing your legs is really a no-no), or dehydration. Some alternative health practitioners believe magnesium and/or calcium levels are too low, leading to the cramping.

No matter why you get them, you want to know what you can do to avoid them. I suggest staying well hydrated and stretching your calves regularly throughout the day, before bed, and especially if you were wearing high heels for an extended period of time. Light exercise before bed can also help, as can keeping your blankets loose at the foot of your bed since the tight sheets can force the muscles of the foot and calve to engage and then cramp.

Interested in knowing what to do when you get a Charley Horse? Then read more

Ever been awakened by an excruciating cramp in your calf? Your foot? Both at the same time? If you have experienced one of these nocturnal muscle cramps poetically known as a Charlie Horse you will know exactly what I am talking about.

While no one has yet to pin point a single cause for these cramps there are many theories as to why they happen, what actions (or inactions) contribute to them, and there are many steps you can take to prevent them.

A Charlie Horse could be caused by overexertion of the muscles, structural disorders like flat feet, prolonged standing on concrete, prolonged sitting, inappropriate leg positions while sedentary (another reason why crossing your legs is really a no-no), or dehydration. Some alternative health practioners believe magnesium and/or calcium levels are too low and that leads to the cramping.

No matter why you get them, you want to know what you can do to avoid them. I suggest staying well hydrated (if you're interested in seeing how much water you should be drinking daily check out the Fit calculator) and stretch your calves regularly throughout the day, before you got to bed and especially if you were wearing high heels for an extended period of time. Light exercise before bed can also help, as can keeping your blankets loose at the foot of your bed since the tight sheets can force the muscles of the foot and calve to engage and then cramp.

Interested in knowing what to do when you get a Charlie Horse? Then read more