How to get rid of a muscle cramp?

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I have recently began exercising. Last Tuesday I did some abdominal exercises. On Wednesday the left side of the abs. hurt so there was minimum crunches done on Wed...then Thursday the other side hurt. It is now Sun. and the right side still hurts although it is not as bad.

It is a cramp that feels like a knot when I rub it. This is going to be TMI but I can hardly get to it for all the fat. I have to really stretch out to try and rub it. When I do that it seems to help but it is hard to stretch out that far all the time.

What do you do to relieve cramps when you have worked a group of muscles that aren't used to being worked?
Rub your muscles to rid them of the excess lactic acid that builds up when working out. Thats what makes them cramp. Also make sure to stretch properly before and after working out as this will prevent cramps as well.
But massage is the best for it, it works out the buildup of lactic acid.  (+ info)

Any tips on how to heal torn calf muscle after cramp?

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does anybody have any tips on how I can heal my calf muscle? I got a cramp, and you know when you stretch try to stretch out your leg to try to make it feel better when you're not suppose to? well my muscle's are "torn" nothing serious but i just want to know if i can do anything to help reduce the pain so i could start skating again soon. Does hot water help?
Yeah, I just got one of those recently after soccer practice. Couldn't even walk! I even had to drag myself up the stairs! Well anyway, try to apply ice/cold compress on it for about 30 minutes. It'll help ease the pain. It'll still hurt after 2 days tops, but it'll fade away, trust me. Or try to stand on a really really cold (maybe marble) surface. The pain'll wash away instantly. Hope this helps!  (+ info)

How can i treat a sore calf muscle that was caused by a bad cramp?

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I was playing soccer when suddenly i got a really bad cramp in my calf. unfortunately i was out for the rest of the game. The next day (today) my calf is really sore and tender, how can i treat this?
OTC pain meds, lots of water, potassium (bananas if you like them) and heat. Oh, and plenty of time.....:)

Good luck!  (+ info)

From a medical standpoint what is a muscle cramp?

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When you have a cramp such as in your thigh or hamstring.
A muscle (or even a few fibers of a muscle) that involuntarily (without consciously willing it) contracts is called a "spasm." If the spasm is forceful and sustained, it becomes a cramp.
A muscle cramp is thus defined as an involuntarily and forcibly contracted muscle that does not relax.  (+ info)

What is the best thing to do when you get a muscle cramp?

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This usually happens to my calf muscles when I wake up and stretch in the morning. It HURTS! I've heard that you should stand up and put weight on the leg in which it's occuring, but that seems like it may hurt more.
you are doing the right thing...stretching it out...or you can friction the muscles to bring some blood to the affected area which is contracting. When you are stretching DONT bounce...is incorrect...you can take a towel put it at the ball of your foot and with the leg straight pull back that will stretch the calf muscles. You can do not only for the calf but the whole leg stretch.
Heres a site where you can view these stretches hope you feel better and good luck
sMT^i^♥♥♥  (+ info)

What would cause every muscle in your body to cramp up?

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Before you say too much exercising , or strenuous work, that is not the cause.
Really? I never drink water, so maybe that is the cause!
This can some times be contributed from the lack of hydration.Your body could also be suffering from a shortage of potassium.You may want to consider eating a couple of banannas each day with a glass of orange juice which will aid in bringing your potassium levels up.A good multi-funtion vitamin daily would not hurt either.If the pain and cramps continue,you may consider taking 4 ibuprofen every 6 hours not exceeding more than 16 in a 24 hour period and no more than 3 days.Ibuprofen will help aid in the decreasing of any inflammation in the body and 4 of them is equal to a prescripton strength of 800 mg.If the pain and cramps still continue then i advise you to consult with your family doctor.

Stress and exercise can contribute to muscle cramps but it is usually not the case unless you are doing something to overwork your body that it is not use to.  (+ info)

What causes severe cramp's with intense burning sensation in muscle y joints?

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I have a friend that is only 20 yrs old and can hardly get around. I almost think she has torretes because of the way she sporadically goes into fits whether in public or not. (could possibly be quite embarrasing to her or others). She says it is the severe cramps accompanied by the intense burning. She's not a big girl but she woddles when she walks. what could be used to effectively treat her? IS it considered a disability?
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Can you get any permanent damage from a muscle cramp or charlie horse?

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I had one in a calf muscle in the middle of the night a few nights ago, and it still pains a little bit.
No, not really. Deep muscle cramps can be felt days or even weeks later, but unless you had some external trauma (car accident, a fall, etc) there shouldn't be any permanent damage.

Make sure you stay well hydrated at all times, especially during exercise. Dehydration quickly causes muscle cramps.  (+ info)

Do cramps make the muscle that is experiencing the cramp stronger?

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I caught some really bad cramps in my calf muscles yesterday and today they are sore, they fell like i had been working out
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I have a horrible muscle cramp that keeps coming back?

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It's in my bicep. I am not dehydrated. I haven't strained the muscle lately. What can I do to help it go away?
Eat bananas. 8-]

(This is almost the same answer as the one that said to take potassium tablets.)  (+ info)