Shoreline Medical Services/ Hutter Chiropractic Office on Charley Horses: Why They Happen and How to Find Relief

Just what is a Charley Horse? Have you ever woken with a start as a calf muscle suddenly seized into a hard, painful knot? Then you’ve met the charley horse. This colorful name is said to originate with an old horse named Charley who pulled a roller across the Chicago White Sox ballpark in the 1890s and walked with achy, stiff muscles. (1) What a story! These abrupt, involuntary muscle contractions typically affect the calf or foot, often at night, and can persist anywhere from a few seconds to several minutes, with soreness that may stick around for hours or even days. About one-third of adults over 50 experience them. Most charley horses have no single identifiable cause, but dehydration, diuretics and certain other medications, pregnancy, strenuous exercise, and long hours standing on hard floors can make them more frequent. (1) Read on as we at Shoreline Medical Services/ Hutter Chiropractic Office share some more thoughts on these.

When a cramp strikes, a careful stretch is your best friend. If the cramp is in your calf, straighten your knee and point your foot up toward your knee, and if your toes curl, draw them back in the opposite direction. Getting out of bed and walking around can help the muscle let go, and many people find relief with massage or warmth from a warm shower or compress. (1)

Some easy daily habits can help keep charley horses from coming back. Stretch your calves and hamstrings at bedtime, stay well hydrated, work toward at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise daily, leave your bed sheets loose at the foot of the bed, and cut back on alcohol, caffeine, nicotine, and decongestants. (1) What you eat can make a difference, too. Magnesium helps muscles relax after they contract, and when levels run low, muscles can tighten too readily, opening the door to cramps and spasms. (2) Our magnesium levels often decline as we age, and nearly two-thirds of Americans don’t meet the recommended intake, so foods packed with magnesium and potassium, like leafy greens, beans, nuts, seeds, whole grains, avocado, and bananas, are healthy additions to your diet. (1,2) Studies of magnesium supplements for night cramps have produced mixed results, so check with your provider before beginning one. (2) If you have heart failure, liver disease, or kidney disease, check with your doctor before adjusting your diet or fluid intake. Get prompt care if a cramp is severe, persists, or comes with sudden numbness, weakness, skin color changes, or a limb that feels cold. (1) We can talk more at your next visit.

If charley horses keep interrupting your sleep or slowing you down, you don’t have to simply live with them. Spine problems that compress the nerves running to the legs are among the conditions linked to leg cramps (1), and a thorough exam can help figure out what’s going on. Our practice will take the time to listen, evaluate how your spine, muscles, and daily habits connect, and create a plan that helps you move and rest more comfortably. 

Check out this PODCAST with Dr. Kurt Olding on The Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he describes the relief possible for a patient with spinal stenosis with The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management, the safe, gentle treatment we offer. After that, contact Shoreline Medical Services/ Hutter Chiropractic Office in Groton today to schedule your visit, and let’s work together to send those charley horses packing.