How to stop painful muscle cramps fast!

Zee Media Bureau

New Delhi: A muscle cramp is a very common thing. It can happen in your leg, arm, back or elsewhere. Since muscle cramps often come on suddenly, they can be quite painful, lasting for a few seconds to several minutes.

Quickly treating the cramped muscle can help ease the pain.

Here are a few ways to relieve your muscle pain:

• Stretch the cramped muscle to stop the cramp quickly
• Massaging the cramped area could help reduce discomfort too
• Apply a warm towel or a heating pad to the area. This will help the muscle to relax and soothe the pain from cramp.
• Take a warm shower or bath to relax the pain.
• If heat therapy doesn't help, try using an ice or cold pack.
• Take potassium rich foods such as bananas and oranges (cramps have been linked with low levels of potassium, calcium and magnesium).
• Drink plenty of fluids as studies have shown that dehydration causes cramps. Always drink water during and after a workout.
• Learn about the causes of cramps to prevent future painful episodes.