Leg and muscle cramps and what you need to know

In our independent consumer trials, over 86% of participants stated that Dermactiva products ‘soothed an comforted’ their tired and sore legs

There are several types of cramps, some more common than others. They can occur in any muscle however the majority of cramps occur in the thighs, legs, feet, arms, abdomen, hands and alongside the ribcage. Causes for leg cramps include dehydration, straining or overusing a muscle, nerve compression, pregnancy and health related issues. 
 
Below we highlight a number of wide ranging causes of leg cramp and other types of related muscle spasms that may help to give you muscle and leg cramp relief for sore legs.   

Runners leg cramp

Running is hard work, so its no wonder athletes and hobby runners get sore legs! Many runners typically suffer from calf and other leg cramps as a result of a number of issues, including running in uneven terrain (which is an unavoidable logistical pain specially when gyms have been shut), over exertion of the muscles or not being hydrated enough. At the start of a run the muscles are usually not warmed up, and by the end they may have been over used and its usually at those entry and exit points when leg cramps may start. 

You will oftentimes see runners gently stretching to give themselves some leg cramp relief, as well as keeping hydrated as they run to avoid the dreaded sore legs. Pounding the pavements is a great way to keep fit, so ensuring that footwear is also adequate for the job will also help with avoiding leg cramp and other limb related issues. Post running stretches will also complement the natural hormones that exercising creates, to comfort and soothe muscles, body and mind!    

Pregnancy leg cramp

It’s estimated that between 30-50% of mums-to-be experience the onset of leg cramps in the third trimester as the mother’s changing body shape can quite literally become a pain in the bum! However the data does not tell us what exactly is causing these cramps, as every person is obviously different. Some suggestions as to the causes include a result of changes to the metabolism, too much or too little exercise and vitamin deficiencies which are also common in pregnancy due to the demands of a growing bundle of joy. 
 
When pregnancy leg cramps occur, suggested ways to soothe them are gently massaging the cramping leg, and carefully moving ankles and feet in alternate circular or up and down movements. Mild stretching will also help to comfort, and if leg cramps occur at night the addition of a pillow under the legs also offers a degree of alleviating the night-time cramping. 

Sleeping leg cramp

Let’s face it- most of us have been forced to lead far more sedentary lifestyles during the painful last year, at a time we needed to be comforted and soothed more than ever. And if you have remained sitting, standing or lying in one position for an extended amount of time, your muscles will have become tense and unable to relax. This can bring on muscular and leg cramps, and more than likely a slight ‘ouch’ of pain as you try to correct the spasm and create some leg cramp relief. 

74% of participants in our independent consumer trials found that our warming muscle cream helped to soothe muscles after periods of sitting in a certain position 

If you are used to being seated for long periods, one way to avoid these cramps is to stand up at least a couple of times an hour. Go outside, get some fresh air, make a cup of tea… whatever you need to do to stretch those limbs. And if the opposite is true and instead you are standing for hours on end, avoid sore legs and the imminent leg cramps by making an effort to sit down when you can, and perhaps add some relaxing leg contractions and foot wiggles to your day. Whatever it takes to rest your weary and sore legs!   

Hangover leg cramp 

Sadly, many of us have been here. A far too late a night and too much alcohol can become a killer punishment the next day. Add to that the forgetting to drink the glass of water you promised yourself before passing out, and by the time you wake up you will wish that you hadn’t, due to the intense pain drilling through your brain. At this stage, no amount of comforting and soothing sore muscles and heads will seemingly take the pain away. And yet we put ourselves trough this time and time again! 
 
Alcohol causes lactic acid- the same thing you produce after intense exercise.  This is what can cause sore legs and cramps, which will also be made worse by the lack of hydration and electrolytes the alcohol has stripped from your body, and compounded by exhaustion from the late night which will also tire your muscles out. Aside from staying in bed and praying, drinking lots of water (ideally with electrolytes) and a gentle massage and stretch will help. The other and more tempting extreme may be a hair of the dog, but that will likely bring back the leg cramps and sore legs again… 

Leg cramps at night 

Night time cramps are a very common occurrence, with up to 60% of adults believed to have been affected. And if this happens regularly, cramps at night can disturb sleep and given that muscle fatigue is also believed to be a cause of leg cramps, this creates a painful vicious circle. 

“As well as soothing aching muscles, I also found this product helped my restless legs i suffer with at bedtime. Great product!” 

~ Independent trials participant feedback 

Ensuring you are hydrated and clothing - including bedcovers - are loose, in addition to making your bed comfortable ahead of lying down is a good starting point. And if the leg cramps do come at night, gentle stretching and massaging can help to comfort and soothe sore and stressed muscles. Further leg cramp relief may be possible by using pillows to prop up your legs, and gentle breathing can help you settle back to sleep.   

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