Muscle spasms and cramps are a fairly common issue. However, they should be considered as more of a symptom rather than a disorder on their own.
Muscle spasms can be caused due to various reasons, they could be caused by simple dehydration, or they could be the symptom of something more severe, like multiple sclerosis. Either way, we know that they can be quite painful; so today we are going to discuss seven of the most effective methods to treat muscle spasms naturally.
1. Get active
I understand that exercise might be the last thing on your mind if you are prone to muscle spasms, but if you keep your workouts light, and avoid overexertion of your muscles, you can effectively treat muscle spasms. Light aerobic exercise will strengthen your muscles, improve your cardio, and most importantly, it improves our blood circulation, which means that more blood, and hence oxygen and nutrients can reach our muscles. Therefore, start going for a quick jog or run in the mornings to counteract muscle spasms naturally.
2. Decrease stress
Stress can be a very severe disorder, and unfortunately, it is widespread these days. Apart from various other issues, pressure can also significantly increase the risk of muscle spasms. When we are stressed, hormones like cortisol and adrenaline are released in our body, the blood flow to our limbs is increased, and we enter a fight or flight state. Staying stressed for extended periods can increase muscle tension, which can lead to cramps and spasms.
Therefore, counteracting stress is imperative, and there are various natural ways in which you can do so; however, one of the easiest and simplest ways to counter stress is through meditation or yoga.
3. Try massage therapy
When it comes to muscle spasms and other issues related to muscles, one of the best natural treatments is massage therapy. Massage can be beneficial in the treatment of muscle spasms in multiple ways.
First of all, it can improve your blood circulation, which results in more nutrients and oxygen reaching your muscles. Secondly, massage therapy can also help you relax and counter stress. Massage therapy can decrease inflammation and promote the natural healing process, which allows damaged nerves to recover more quickly. Therefore, book a massage therapy session on the weekends or if you feel spasms more frequently, consider investing in a massage chair. There are various medical breakthrough massage chairs that you can try out.
4. Get more sunlight
Vitamin and mineral deficiencies are two of the most common causes of muscle spasms. Among many others, vitamin D deficiencies are significantly detrimental to our muscles. Our nerves regularly require vitamin D for the transfer of neurons to our muscles, and the deficiency of Vitamin D can increase the risk of muscle spasms. Vitamin D deficiency can also cause weakness, muscle ache and pain in your bones, therefore, make an effort to spend more time in the sunlight, which is one of the most effective natural sources of Vitamin D. Vitamin D is also essential for the proper functioning of our immune system.
5. Add natural muscle relaxers to your diet
As it is quite apparent, our diet plays an integral role in every aspect of our mental and physical health. Where unhealthy foods can be bad for your health, there are several natural foods and supplements that you can add to your diet to counter muscle spasms. Moreover, pharmaceutical muscle relaxers can have various detrimental side effects, and they aren’t even a permanent solution to the problem. Instead, they provide you with temporary relief. Instead of trying pharmaceutical muscle relaxers, consider adding these natural muscle relaxers to your diet.
• Chamomile tea
• Cherry juice
• Pomegranate juice
• Capsaicin
• Cayenne pepper
• Blueberries
• Turmeric
• Calcium and magnesium-rich foods
6. Stay hydrated
Dehydration is another common cause of muscle spasms. Did you know that water makes up for almost 70% or our muscle composition? Furthermore, when we are dehydrated, water isn’t the only thing that our body is lacking; it is also deprived of various nutrients that are essential for the healthy functioning of our muscles.
You should make sure to stay sufficiently hydrated throughout the day if you want to avoid muscle spasms. If you are getting muscle spasms and cramps during your workout, the reason is most likely dehydration. Therefore, drink at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water every day, and if you are working out, also add some natural salts to your water. I find that the best way to ensure proper hydration is to squeeze some lemon juice or add some pink Himalayan salt to your water when you are working out.
7. Improve your sleep schedule
Sufficient sleep is also essential for good health. Sleep deprivation can lead to several problems, including stress and muscle spasms. When the body and mind are not adequately rested, the risk or cramps and muscle spasms are increased dramatically. It’s important to ensure that you get at least six to eight hours of sleep every day. Experts also suggest that the best time to sleep is at night, between 10 pm and 7 am. If you are having trouble sleeping, try natural solutions like massage therapy, cannabis, and other sleep-inducing supplements like melatonin. You should also change up your environment and make it more suited for sleeping, and most importantly, minimize the use of bright screens before going to sleep.
To sum it all up, muscle spasms are a severe problem for many people, and they can be quite painful and challenging. Though muscle relaxers are a viable solution, they have a variety of side effects and they only fix the problem temporarily. The aforementioned effective natural treatments of muscle spasms and cramps in this article are healthy ways to treat your ailments. We hope that you find it helpful and informative.
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