Additional Information

Home Treatments:

Must muscle cramps will subside on their own if given time to rest. Additionally, the muscle cramp may need to be administered with ice on the injured area 20 minutes at a time, 2-3 times per day. Compressing the area with elastic bandage may also help if there is visible swelling. A common anti-inflammatory or painkiller medication is usually used to help relieve symptoms.

Professional Medical Treatments:

Consistent and painful cramps may require the advise of a professional. Blood tests, an electromyography or a myelography may be done to identify the underlying problem. Lidocaine may be administered to relax the affected muscles or a cortisone injection may be given if inflammation is a problem.

Physical Therapy and Exercises:

Recovery of a muscle cramp may not need proper physical therapy. However, complete recovery will involve stretches and exercises that are also used to prevent this injury from occurring. They include standing quad stretch, calf raises, reverse calf raises, standing cross legged stretch, and hip bridges.

Exercise Techniques to Prevent Injury:

Prevention of muscle cramps involves gradually increasing the workload of any exercise workout or sport activity and performing proper warm up and cool down stretches before and after an exercise session. Doing the stretches noted in the physical therapy subsection will maintain proper flexibility and strength of the muscles.