Leg Cramps

SandWraith · Post by **SandWraith** » 31 Aug 2005 13:40

I have been playing footbag regularly for around a year now, and until recently I didn't have any problems with cramping. In the last week though, I have had cramps nearly every day at some point after playing footbag. I stretch before and stretch after, but the difference I see is that I now sit in a classroom in a cramped position, as opposed to sprawled upon a couch and able to move around when I feel like it.
I have read that Vitamin E might help with alleviating these problems, and that drinking more water isn't a bad idea either, but does anyone else have any suggestions? Has anyone else experienced this?

Chim-Chim · Post by **Chim-Chim** » 12 Sep 2005 16:13

yea.. stretch more. hold each stretch for 30 seconds at least, and make sureyour muscles relax, if u can hold it for a minute then do so.

hood's house (HoOd on teh forum has alink in profile) has a lot of easy, effective stretches w/ illustrations.

xXLoss_of_ControlXx · Post by **xXLoss_of_ControlXx** » 12 Sep 2005 19:32

you ever get those cramps in the middle of the night too? and it take a while to get back to sleep? I hate it when that happens.

HooD · Post by **HooD** » 12 Sep 2005 19:36

Where are you getting your muscle cramps at ?

sniikeri · Post by **sniikeri** » 13 Sep 2005 09:48

We have "health knowledge" as a school subject nowadays and today the teacher said that when he has a leg cramp, he puts a bit raw salt to his mouth, have it there for a while and spit it away. It should help, haven't tried it though.

HooD · Post by **HooD** » 13 Sep 2005 14:09

sniikeri wrote:We have "health knowledge" as a school subject nowadays and today the teacher said that when he has a leg cramp, he puts a bit raw salt to his mouth, have it there for a while and spit it away. It should help, haven't tried it though.

I've never heard anything like that. Could you ask him why exactly that would help out cramping in your leg ? I'm pretty rusty with my micro anatomy and I can't think why sodium/raw salt would relieve muscle cramping.

xXLoss_of_ControlXx · Post by **xXLoss_of_ControlXx** » 13 Sep 2005 15:10

I'm guessing that when you get a leg cramp, it has to do with the salt leaving your body from sweat(from kicking, workin out, etc.) and putting salt in your mouth is like adding sodium back into your system, but swallowing it is too concentrated so you spit it out... just a guess...

HooD:
Where are you getting your muscle cramps at ?

me legs

SandWraith · Post by **SandWraith** » 13 Sep 2005 16:23

I was getting cramps in my hamstrings, but they have since somewhat subsided. I have been trying not to kick between classes (whenever I have 3 hours or more between classes), but instead later in the day. If they continue, though, I will try the salt thing and see what happens.

Thanks for all the responses.

Paul Agostinelli · Post by **Paul Agostinelli** » 13 Sep 2005 21:08

actually, cramping occurs when there is an excessive lactic acid build up in any given muscle. salt may alleviate it because lactic acid build-up and salt loss do coincide, but they may not be directly affected. i do know that bananas are a great way to help and prevent cramping.

~NEL~

Bander87 · Post by **Bander87** » 14 Sep 2005 02:59

I do believe those cramps in the middle of the night are partly due to blood flow.

BalinorNZ · Post by **BalinorNZ** » 14 Sep 2005 03:09

I think salt helps break down the acid that makes cramp?

Anyway, on the subject, I had a strange cramp the other week. My leg siezed up very painfully, I grabbed the back of my leg and it felt like a tennis ball was trying to force it's way out of my skin!! It was flippin wierd, just a massive buldge of muscle sticking about 2cm out of my leg.

Is this strange? Or is it just me?

ebo · Post by **ebo** » 14 Sep 2005 04:11

Maybe your cramps are due to a lack of magnesium.

sniikeri · Post by **sniikeri** » 14 Sep 2005 05:47

HooD wrote:
sniikeri wrote:We have "health knowledge" as a school subject nowadays and today the teacher said that when he has a leg cramp, he puts a bit raw salt to his mouth, have it there for a while and spit it away. It should help, haven't tried it though.
I've never heard anything like that. Could you ask him why exactly that would help out cramping in your leg ? I'm pretty rusty with my micro anatomy and I can't think why sodium/raw salt would relieve muscle cramping.

I don't know either - honestly said I wasn't listening to him very well

- I think Paul and Bjoern know better than me, Nic may also have a point with that.

edit: But yeah, sure I can ask him.