Recurring Foot Cramps

As experts in caring for the musculoskeletal system, we at Kosak Chiropractic in Fairfield often help patients to recover from recurring muscle cramps. Our methods are safe and non-invasive, but as a practice devoted to maintaining wellness, we want our patients to understand how to avoid the causes of cramps, as well. In the summer, people are especially prone to developing foot cramps, and if these go unaddressed, they could throw off the balance of the whole body.

A foot cramp, or charley horse, occurs when a muscle in the foot contracts and won’t release. Some foot muscles travel up the calf, and it’s possible for a constriction to be related to something elsewhere in the lower limb. If the cramp occurs while the patient is lying down, they are advised to put weight on the affected foot by pressing it against the floor. If the cramp occurred while they were active, they can gently stretch their leg out while massaging their calf and pulling their toes toward their face. A heating pad may also be helpful, but should only be applied for fifteen minutes at a time.

People should always stretch before exercising. If you frequently get foot cramps while playing sports, you may need to review whether your warm-ups are adequately increasing blood flow to your lower limbs. If your foot cramps occur at night, the problem may be that your shoes are too tight. Dehydration also plays a role in muscle cramps, which is why they happen more in the summer. If stretching, better footwear, and hydration aren’t enough to stop the cramps from coming back, we may examine the patient for signs of a nerve compression in their hip or lower back. A chiropractic adjustment or therapeutic massage may help to relieve pressure from the peripheral nerves. As providers of lifestyle medicine counseling, we may also advise patients to increase their intake of potassium, calcium, and magnesium.

Kosak Chiropractic is located at 1252 Travis Blvd., Suite G, Fairfield, CA, 94533. To schedule an appointment, visit Kosak Chiropractic online or call 707-426-1111.