Most people have experienced a charley horse, or a muscle spasm, or a muscle cramp, at some point in their lives. Spasms can occur in any muscle of the body, but it is most common in the leg (hamstring or calf) or foot. When a muscle is in spasm, it is involuntarily contracted and does not relax. Muscle spasms occur suddenly, resolve quickly, and are often quite painful. (Note that spasms or cramps can also happen in smooth muscle, such as your intestines and uterus, but for the purposes of this post, we'll just focus on skeletal muscles.)
Muscle spasms are usually caused by tight or overused muscles, moving too quickly, dehydration, or electrolyte abnormalities in the body. Some spasms may occur if the nerve connecting to the muscle gets irritated. Other spasms may occur as a protective mechanism in the event of an injury.
In order to contract, muscle cells require an adequate source of water, glucose, sodium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium. Either a deficient supply of these elements or an abnormally high usage of these elements by overuse will cause the muscle to become dysfunctional and problematic.
Muscle spasms will usually resolve on their own. However, some might find that gentle stretching helps to relieve the pain. Use of heat may also be beneficial in relaxing tight muscles.
You might ask... how can I prevent spasms in the first place? It's important to find the cause of your muscle spasms. Do you have an underlying neurological disorder or medical condition? Are you taking certain medications or supplements? Are you lacking any vitamins or minerals? Are you under any stress? Do you perform a lot of physical activities? Are you drinking enough water? The list goes on...
I wish I could be more helpful since I get a lot of questions about spasms and cramps. The only thing I can tell you is that you need to find the underlying cause of them in order to get the problem resolved. There is no magic cure! However, if you think that they're caused by muscle imbalances, poor posture, weak or overused muscles, improper movement patterns, etc., then definitely seek a physiotherapist to have your mechanics assessed!
