what is a charlie horse in your calf? - General Health Message Board

lilykatewhite · 08-19-2008, 06:16 AM

what is a charlie horse in your calf?

ibake&pray · 08-19-2008, 08:48 AM

It's a muscle spasm, where your muscle contracts and seems to knot up. It's painful. Mine are caused because I have nerve damage to my leg and it causes muscle spasms.

Everybody finds different ways to get them to release. Some rub their legs. Some people stretch their legs out, some pull their legs up against their chest. You do whatever it takes to get the calf muscle to relaax...

Also, low potassium will cause leg cramps.....bananas and watermelons are a good souce of potassium.

SentenceDoing · 08-19-2008, 08:51 AM

Oh man, I hate those. The only time I've gotten them is in my sleep (it wakes me up). The only thing I can do to stop it is to extend my heel outward while straightening my leg so it stretches the calf muscle instead of letting it contract.

feelbad · 08-20-2008, 07:52 AM

you could try just taking a good well rounded vitamin suppliment that contains both potassium and magnesium. low magnesium can also set off some pretty intense types of muscle spasms too. didn't know about the low mag being a problem til it occured with my son and he had some really bad spasms. hope they get better soon. FB