Remedies for the excruciating pain of charley horse leg cramps

Do you wake up in the middle of the night with the excruciating pain of a charley horse? These agonizing leg cramps are quite common, and Dr. Larry Santora describes the causes of this tortuous pain and the various ways to prevent a charley horse. Some of these simple remedies are quite surprising.Dr. Santora is medical director of the Orange County Heart Institute and host of "Health Matters with Dr. Larry Santora" television series, which airs weekly on PBS OC. Produced by Chapman University's Panther Productions, the series is sponsored by St. Joseph Health, St. Joseph Hospital, Biotronik, Churm Media, The Widdicombe Family, Medtronic, Weaver Health Solutions and Abbott Vascular.

[DailyPayBootcamp]

I believe it's the vinegar in the mustard and pickles that help relieve the pain.

[kylebeckett]

I was sleeping and woke up out of a dead sleep and i couldn't stand on my right leg for 5 hours

[britneycutie]

I just woke up at 6 AM with the worst pain in the world I've ever felt. It was under my knee and it wouldn't stop, on my right leg. I swear I was half asleep and just started praying, that was my immediate reaction. Then after (what felt like an hour) like one or two minutes, it stoped. I am not really sure if this is the exact name for this, but it seems pretty close! PLEASE if this has ever happened to you, then please reply to my comment. Need to keep informed! Thanks

[jessebrown]

a good remedy for me, is to straighten your leg and keep it that way, for me, that makes them go away in about 15 seconds, I learned that from my football coach

[nimblemedia]

Most tonic waters no longer have quinine. Check you labels. Wrapped soap? I've also heard that a necklace of garlic with keep away vampire cramps!

[leegill]

I am placing tons of bars of soap at the base of my bed. I am in pain.

[marbanak]

Ransacking YouTube for answers ... this video is the best.

Nice broad-based solutions. Something in there will work for me.

Thank you, Doctor!

[aprinter]

Thanks I usually get them after practice or a long day of skating and Jesus it hurts

[flywheelshyster]

wow a doctor that actually admits to anecdotal remedy and explains what can be. I honestly thought there would be some sort of shameless promotion of something or other. A little faith in humanity restored. Also, I get occasional muscle spasms that feel exactly like a charley horse but in my throat and sometimes in my fingers [ring and middle finger, right hand only] moreso than in my legs. Anyone else have similar problem?

[Buffster]

@Dr. Larry Santora, God Bless you for posting this video!! I had a pre-blackbelt test in TKD last Saturday. Both legs cramped like no tomorrow, and the pain was too unbearable when I woke up from a nap. I did the mustard remedy (since I like mustard anyway) and it absolutely worked like a champ!! I did buy a bottle of magnesium and potassium supplements today but so far no cramps! Thanks again for this video because the mustard was a fast immediate cure that worked great!!  

[DanielOwensMusic]

I used to get leg cramps almost everyday. A good week, I got 2 or 3. I started taking One a day for men, the kind that has high magnesium and potassium, and I barley if at all get them. I started working out a few months ago, getting into positions that usually would trigger a cramp, but after I started taking those I never get them. I also eat 1 banana a day to add more potassium. If you DO get a cramp, always have an ice pack ready to go in the freezer. Put it DIRECTLY on the cramp location and walk it out. You may look goofy to your friends or family, but it releases the cramp. Good Luck.

[JLB]

Thanks for the confirmation on the tonic water remedy. I had an episode the other night, needless to say that I'm definitely not anticipating another night like that.😓

[bilaleloufi]

I just had one and hour ago awwwhhhh it really was painful

[Ian]

Interesting Video, I liked the many possible solutions that are available for this problem which you talked about in this video. I did have a problem with leg cramps but it seems to have gone away because I have been taking a very high daily dose of a highly soluble form of magnesium and I have been getting my potassium from Black Strap Molasses. I think potassium does help also with the magnesium.

[RobertaGailOriginals]

you need not ingest anything into your body. All you need is bar soap. I suffered with these so bad I would scream at the top of my lungs in the middle of the night. Some episodes lasted hours. As Soon As I got bars of soap and unwrapped them and placed them under my fitted sheet with me at night I NEVER got another leg cramp! I recently stayed at a hotel and had a horrible bout with them and forgot all about soap!!! No medical reason, no scientific evidence but IT WORKS!!! PROMISE!!!

[patriciajones]

Thank you kindly Sir. I believe i will try some of the soda, cq10 and the mag. should help and some tonic, thanks i will let you know how it works. Peace and sending some love to you !! xo

[terrorth]

while watching this video my hamstring got cramped

[jaimepasillasjr]

as I get a leg cramp, foot cramp, any cramp. I put a bag of ice on the cramp and it goes away.

[Summernightsandneonlights]

What fragrance does the soap need to be? Lmao

[beachchair]

is leg cramps is the same as muscle spasming?