These muscle cramps can have many possible causes including hormonal imbalances, dehydration, low levels of potassium or calcium in the blood, side effects of medication, or, more seriously, diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and neuropathy. They are also a common complaint during pregnancy.

Potassium does help with charley horses, as does drinking plenty of water and stretching daily. If you experience chronic charley horses, I would start out by at least increasing your daily water intake and then add twice daily stretches to your daily routine. When you first wake up in the morning, take the time to stretch your calves out (lots of great stretches out there- google "calf stretches") and at night before bed do the same thing. If you continue to experience a lot of them, consider consulting your physician, a physical therapist or a chiropractor.

Drink lots of water. If you are drinking lots of water (more than your daily recommended intake of 8 glasses), and are still getting charlie horses, then you may have low potassium. Eat bananas and head over to your doctor if they continue. Good luck!

it sounds like bad circulation. When it happens put your feet up and down as on a treadle mill, work the calves and it will go quicker than rubbing the feet

a charlie horse is when u get punched on the leg

The growing of your leg.

When I get one, I bend my toes back (toward my knee) and that makes it stop.

Imbalance of minerals such as sodium, calcium, magnesium or potassium is one possible risk factor. Poor circulation is another :)


Taking vitamins with Cal/Mag helps. As does stretching before sleep, Tonic Water and Gatorade help.

You need to hydrate yourself more.

I used to have these every night and spent half the night trying to walk them off. I saw something on the TV show The Doctors that I tried and has kept me cramp free for over 6 months. Put a bar of soap between the bottom and top sheets. The only time I have a hint of a cramp is when I change the sheets. It takes a couple of nights before the soap works again. I know it sounds crazy but it works!

http://search.yahoo.com/search?p=leg+cra…