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Leg Cramps

Leg cramps are a common symptomatic condition which can be caused by a number of possible sources. While most people suffer leg spasms related to specific injuries or muscular over exertion, some poor individuals are victimized by chronic cramping of the leg muscles which can make life virtually unbearable.

leg cramps

Causes of Leg Cramps

There are a variety of possible causations for typical leg muscle cramping. The most common reasons include:

* Growing pains can cause cramps in the legs or almost anywhere in the body. Growing pains usually occur during times of significant growth spurts, such as during adolescence.

* Muscular injury can create the ideal circumstances for cramped up leg muscles.

* Simple overexertion can cause muscles to cramp, due to overuse and a lack of oxygen.

* Chronic ischemia is the source of most ongoing leg muscle cramp scenarios.

Ischemic Leg Cramps

Many patients have chronic leg muscle cramps which may occur in relation to a specific activity or simply in an unpredictable pattern. Many people suffer the worst of these cramps when resting or reclining. This makes sense, since ischemia is caused by a reduction in cellular oxygenation. Circulation to the lower limbs is reduced in a supine position and reduced again while we sleep or rest. Ischemic cramps can be very severe and are usually the result of a psychosomatic process. These types of problematic cramps are also typical back pain substitute symptoms for many affected patients.

Advice on Leg Muscle Cramps

I remember a 2 year stretch between 1995 and 1996 when I suffered regular leg muscle cramps in bed almost every night. I blamed the symptoms on my martial arts training (which was my usual rationale...) and never thought too much about them. I do recall being woken up from many disturbing dreams with a dire cramp in one or both legs and feet. My nighttime leg muscle spasms came to an abrupt end when I desperately hurt my back in 1997. Looking back, it is now obvious to me that these psychosomatic symptoms just could not hold my attention and were a harbinger of worse painful trauma to come.

My advice to patients with chronic cramps in their legs or feet is to consider knowledge therapy as a possible treatment option for your pain. This is the most effectual therapy option for any ischemic event and should help you to overcome your symptoms in no time at all… and without cost or risk!

Leg Cramps to Back Pain Home 1/5/09