What is a Charley Horse? 

If you’ve ever been suddenly stricken by a cramp that is so painful you can’t move, it might be a muscle spasm known as a charley horse. These cramps can happen anywhere, however, they are more common in the legs. In this article, we’re discussing what a charley horse feels like, how you can relieve the pain, and how our team can help you if your muscle spasms are recurring. 

What is a Charley Horse? 

Another name for a muscle spasm, a charley horse can happen in any muscle, but they’re most common in the legs. These spasms are marked by uncomfortable muscle contractions. In some cases, the contractions can last for more than a few seconds and be severe. Severe cases of these spasms can result in muscle soreness that can last up to a day. Unfortunately, these are normal, so long as the pain isn’t persistently recurring. 

Understanding Muscle Spasms 

When you move, muscles tense and relax to help you dunk a basketball or reach for your alarm clock. Injury and illness can cause nearly any voluntary muscle in the body to ease up and fail to relax again. This tension can be constant or throbbing. However, if your pain presents as twitches, tremors, and similar feelings are a separate problem that needs to be handled separately. Muscle spasms are uncomfortable and you usually know they’re happening, however, sometimes they may go unnoticed for months and even years.

Symptoms of Muscle Spasms 

When you experience a muscle spasm, you might feel the following symptoms: 

• Pain in the back, neck, arms, wrists, calves, feet, or practically any other body part.
• Lack of response to stretching, which usually resolves minor muscle cramps.
• Involuntary contractions that make your hands or feet jerk.
• Tightness and irritation in the muscles.
• Loss of movement and flexibility during the spasm.
• Cramps that occur during exercise, certain times of the day, or when you are resting. 

Causes of a Charley Horse

While they can happen at random, a charley horse is often triggered by something, such as:

• Poor blood flow
• Working your muscles too much
• Not stretching enough
• Being active in high temperatures
• Dehydration 
• A lack of magnesium or potassium in your diet
• Medical problems like a spinal cord injury or pinched nerves in the neck or back
• Kidney disease 

How to Avoid a Charley Horse

There are things that you can do to avoid these painful spasms you might experience in your calves or elsewhere in your body. To try and prevent these from occurring and ruining your day, try to: 

• Stretch before you exercise and warm up slowly before you begin.
• Stay hydrated and also drink a sports drink to prevent electrolyte issues.
• Correct your posture to reduce unwanted strain on your postural muscles.
• Sleep on your back and use a pillow that properly supports your neck and spine.
• Keep your chronic conditions under control.
• Report disruptive side effects from medications to your doctor.
• Check your nutrient levels to rule out deficiencies in iron, magnesium, calcium, or potassium.

Who’s at Risk?

Muscle spasms can happen to anyone no matter your age and can happen no matter if you’re resting or exercising. While this is true, certain demographics are more susceptible to experiencing these painful contractions. They tend to occur more in:

• Athletes
• Infants
• Older adults
• People who are overweight
• Those who take medications like diuretics or statin drugs
• People who smoke  

Muscle Spasm Treatment Options 

For many people that experience muscle cramps, they often find relief by stretching, rest, and drinking enough water. However, your spasms could be the result of something more severe and require medical treatment. At Texas Spine and Sports Therapy Center, we can help treat the cause of your muscle spasms through the following treatments:

• Massage therapy to release knotted muscles and soothe throbbing muscles.
• Assisted stretching that relieves cramping in hard to access areas.
• Testing to rule out vitamin deficiencies and chronic illnesses.
• Chiropractic care that realigns the spine to relieve nerve pressure and stop back cramps.
• Trigger point injections for pain. 

Stop the Spasm with Texas Spine and Sports Therapy Center

If you are experiencing a recurring charley horse or other muscle spasms, Dr. Bart Atencio and our professional team at Texas Spine and Sports Therapy Center are here to provide you with the answers you need. With specialized treatment plans right here in our Austin office, we can help you understand the cause of your pain. Make an appointment to see us today by calling us at (512)-806-0015.