A "Charley Horse" is a muscle spasm in the leg. It can occur during workouts, or just while doing normal activities. Sometimes low potassium levels can cause the muscle spasms. If you find yourself cursing charley and his horse, there are a number of things you can do to help alleviate the pain!
Drink lots of water! Dehydration is the number one cause of muscle spasms like this one! Especially if you are working out, it is easy to forget how easily your body loses water!
Bananas and baked potato skins are terrific sources of potassium!
Massage the area – this will often help loosen the muscle up! Just remember to run in the direction the muscle runs (top to bottom) and not across the muscle! Preventing Charley Horse’s can sometimes be done by stretching properly before a workout!
Taking a Vitamin E supplement can also help prevent and treat these bothersome muscle spasms.
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The best way to treat a charley horse is to prevent them. Make sure you stretch thoroughly and properly before doing any exercising – that includes a simple walk around the block! Keep hydrated! Water is better than a sports drink any day, and as we all know, has numerous other benefits. Make sure you get the recommended amount of potassium in your diet. Have a banana before working out, and a baked potato skin with dinner!
As with any muscle spasm, you sometimes just have to wait it out. Flexing your foot can sometimes release the muscle, but if you take preventative measures, the odds of you getting one to begin with, are little to none!