How do you stop a Charlie horse?
Charley Horse Prevention
- Eat more foods high in vitamins and magnesium.
- Stay hydrated.
- Stretch daily and before exercise.
- Wear comfortable shoes.
- Limit how much alcohol you drink.
- Ramp up your exercise slowly rather than all at once.
- Don’t exercise right after you eat.
- Don’t smoke.
Why do people get charley horses?
A charley horse can be caused by a direct blow or sudden stretch of the muscle, but most of the time they’re caused by strain or fatigue during exercise.
What foods help charley horses?
Here are 12 foods that may help with muscle cramps.
- Avocado. Avocados are creamy, delicious fruits that are packed with nutrients that may help prevent muscle cramps.
- Watermelon. One possible cause of muscle cramps is dehydration.
- Coconut water.
- Sweet potato.
- Greek yogurt.
- Bone broth.
- Papaya.
- Beet greens.
What is the difference between a charley horse and a cramp?
A sustained muscle spasm is called a muscle cramp. Leg muscles, especially the quadriceps (thigh), hamstrings (back of thigh), and gastrocnemius (calves), are most likely to cramp, but any skeletal muscle in the body can cramp. A “charley horse” is another name for a muscle cramp.
What does a charley horse feel like?
If you’ve had a charley horse, you probably know it wasn’t a comfortable ride. These spasms usually happen at night and affect your calf muscle. The tight, knotted sensation you feel lasts several seconds to several minutes. Sometimes the pain lingers. If the cramp is severe, your muscle may be sore for days afterward.
Why is it called a ‘charley horse’?
Another name origin theory is that charley horse comes from an old horse named Charley that dragged equipment at the White Stockings ballpark. Apparently injured players would compare their limping to Charley’s gait and called a leg muscle injury a charley horse.
How can you get rid of a Charlie Horse?
However proper stretching may be one of the best home remedies for a charlie horse. Standing on the unaffected leg and slowly pulling the ankle up towards the back and stretching out the leg can help to alleviate the pain and ultimately get rid of the charlie horse.
How painful is a charley horse?
Charley horses can occur in any muscle, but they’re most common in the legs. These spasms are marked by uncomfortable muscle contractions. If the contracting muscles don’t relax for several seconds or more, the pain can be severe. Severe charley horses can result in muscle soreness that lasts anywhere from a few hours to a day.