Why Do People Experience Calf Muscle Cramps?
For those who have experienced calf cramps, it is doubtless difficult to forget the intense pain such issues bring to the body. However, the reasons for calf cramps vary from person to person, and therefore, the treatment methods selected during the course of treatment may also differ. For instance, calf cramps in adolescents are closely related to calcium deficiency. Below, we summarize the causes of calf cramps.
Causes of Calf Cramps
1. Cold stimulation from the external environment, such as low room temperature during winter nights, sleeping with thin blankets or exposing legs and feet outside the covers.
2. Fatigue, insufficient sleep or rest, or excessive rest leading to the accumulation of local acidic metabolites, which can all cause muscle spasms. For example, walking or exercising for too long can cause excessive fatigue in the lower limbs or insufficient rest and sleep, leading to the accumulation of lactic acid. Excessive and prolonged sleep and rest can slow down blood circulation, leading to the accumulation of carbon dioxide.
3. Decreased estrogen levels and osteoporosis in older women can lead to low blood calcium levels, increased muscle excitability, and frequent spasms.
4. Poor sleeping posture, such as sleeping in the supine position for a long time, causing the blanket to press against the feet, or sleeping in the prone position for a long time, causing the feet to press against the bed, forcing certain muscles in the calf to remain in a completely relaxed state for a long time, causing muscle "passive spasms".
Taking different countermeasures based on different causes can quickly relieve spasms and pain. When a cramp occurs, simply "do the opposite," i.e., pull the toes in the opposite direction of the force and hold for 1-2 minutes or more to achieve results. Specifically, if the cramp is in the muscle behind the calf, pull the foot to raise the footplate while straightening the knee joint as much as possible. When the cramp is in the muscle in front of the calf, press down on the footplate and pull the toes forcibly.
