Spasms occur when following a long period of rest or inactivity, a body part is suddenly moved. This causes the muscles to contract very fast and become hard or knotted up, resulting in severe pain in the area. In most cases, the cause behind such muscular contractions is the deficiency of calcium and potassium in the body.
Thus, one of the most effective natural ways of preventing spasms is to eat food rich in calcium and potassium. Drink a cup of milk every morning and evening, and make sure that you include other dairy products like cheese and yoghurt in your daily diet to cover your daily calcium requirements. The level of acids in your food determines your body's ability to absorb calcium. Thus, you should also keep a check on your folic acid intake, as an excess of this chemical induces spasms. Cut down on your consumption of tomatoes and vinegar. Also, eat foodstuff rich in potassium like bran wheat, soybean, potatoes and apricots. Celery seeds have the property of reducing muscle pains and cramps, so consume a few of these seeds regularly. Sometimes over-exertion may also cause spasms, so in case you suffer from pain in your legs after prolonged and vigorous physical activity, make sure that you break up your exercise routine so that you have smaller sessions with short 5-minute breaks in between them. Also, ensure that while exercising, your body is sufficiently hydrated, as it is the drop in the water-level in the body that causes muscle contractions. Keep drinking plenty of water while you exercise. If your spasms mostly occur while you are resting, stretch out your leg, bend your toes towards your heel and maintain this position for half a minute. Keep repeating this process till the pain lessens. Chamomile contains glycine, a chemical agent that helps ease out the muscles. Drink a cup of chamomile tea as is an effective method to treat muscle pain caused by spasms. Soak a handful of black or brown mustard seeds in a tub of hot water and soak your feet in this for 20 minutes. This relieves muscle pain. Use a herbal oil made by mixing extra-virgin oil or almond oil with a little amount of cramp bark, lobelia and willow bark to massage your leg muscles whenever spasms occur. Taking a warm bath sometimes helps relieve muscle pain, as does a gentle massage in the natural direction of muscle growth.
answered by G M