Cramping in the muscles. As the cramp takes hold, try gently stretching the muscle in the opposite direction of the tightening. This is because certain pains in the thigh and lower back could require treatment. Diabetic neuropathy. The nocturnal pain is often felt in the calf area or lower part of the leg. The condition implies too much pressure on the spinal nerves. Having a tightly made bed and sleeping in certain positions, such as on your stomach, can exacerbate the tendency for muscle cramps. You can treat smaller cramps. 2. Heat is soothing to tense muscles. In general, night leg cramps are likely to be related to muscle fatigue and nerve problems. I often get the calf pain at night while sleeping. Lower the leg down. Leg cramps occur when the gastrocnemius muscle of the calf spasms involuntarily. Common symptoms of front thigh pain include muscle inflammation, muscle rupture or strain, bleeding into the muscles and contusions among others. The cramps are painful to wake up. Cramps can last from a few seconds up to 10 minutes.Thigh muscle cramps tend to last the longest. carrying a wallet or . T1. To avoid leg cramps in the future, drink plenty of fluids before and during exercise. Hold for 30 seconds. What causes muscle pull in the leg while sleeping? Although nocturnal leg cramps generally pass after minutes, they are unpleasant and can disrupt sleep enough to create problems. U CAN FIND IT IN ANY SAFEWAY STORE. Forcefully stretching the contracted muscle relieves the pain. Neurological disorders like Parkinson's disease. Rubbing the affected muscle may help it relax. There are a lot of stretching exercises that may help. Chronic leg pain at night has a number of causes including two common conditions; nocturnal leg cramps and restless legs syndrome. Several conditions, such as kidney failure and diabetic nerve damage, are known to cause night leg cramps. Some also feel some numbness or tingling in the leg while others have weakness or difficulty in moving their leg or foot. A flat sheet can constrict the ability of your feet and legs to move, so you might want to remove it from your bed. Shin splits. Summary. After the cramps have passed, you may have pain and tenderness in your legs for several hours. Your sleeping position may have something to do with why you get charley horses at night. They end up compressed as a result of this wear and tear. Cramps caused by high BG levels are actually usually caused by the dehydration caused by high BG levels, which in turn can cause you to lose minerals such as calcium and magnesium which contribute to the cramp. A leg cramp means an acute pain which usually originates from a muscle in the leg. i couldnt really stand/walk because the muscle was so contracted. Repeat three times on the right, then switch sides and repeat. Nocturnal leg cramps — also commonly called charley horses — are painful, involuntary contractions of leg muscles 2 during the night. Pregnancy can cause some pain while sleeping. Sleeping with your legs crossed is an example of bad sleeping posture. Unopposed Flexion. The underlying causes of leg cramps are unknown. The condition most typically happens in the calf muscle at the back of the lower leg. Sit on the floor with one leg extended out. A cramp is an involuntary contraction of a muscle or a group of muscles that is mostly temporary but results in pain and affects mobility while it lasts. Summary. About 60% of people experience nocturnal leg cramps at some point in their lives. A heating pad may help the muscles relax, which is what you are aiming for. Referred Pain. How do you stretch a groin cramp? During pregnancy, some women may experience hip or back pain when sleeping. If it is on the back of the leg, it is your calves or hamstrings. A charley horse happens when muscles suddenly cramp or tighten, resulting in pain. 1 Leg cramps commonly affect the calf muscles but may occur in the hamstrings or muscles of the feet, especially at night (ie nocturnal leg cramps). If the pain is on the front of the legs, it is probably shin splints. Cramps also can come from repeating a particular motion for a very long time, such as running. One of the most progressive methods to avoid leg pain from sitting is to either reduce or eliminate the chair in the traditional sense. The muscle spasms and pain may cause some individuals to awaken from a deep sleep. Night leg cramps, also called nocturnal leg cramps, are painful, involuntary contractions or spasms of muscles in your legs, usually occurring when you're in bed. Summary. Diabetic neuropathy. You will feel the stretch in your groin. Jun 27, 2008. Try making sure you're getting enough minerals and that you are well hydrated. Nighttime leg cramps can be caused by unopposed foot flexion while in bed, according to the National Medical Society. scar tissue from a past injury or surgery. In order to avoid worsening the pain in the thigh, it is advisable to seek immediate solutions. A leg cramp is an episode of sudden pain in the muscles of the leg caused by an involuntary contracting (shortening) of the leg muscle. According to the NHS, leg cramps occur when a muscle spams. Insufficient preparations; swimming in low temperature in summer can easily cause leg cramps. The sudden and uncontrollable spasm can often be brief, but it can last for several minutes or up to 10 minutes. Hold for 30 seconds. Pain in left leg at night can also occur for various other reasons like: An inappropriate sleeping position. Neural conditions can affect the nerves in the legs, causing aching legs when lying down. Massage. My inner thigh muscle spasms are so severe they make me nauseous. The most common places to experience leg cramps are in the . pregnancy. Night leg cramps, also called nocturnal leg cramps, are painful, involuntary contractions or spasms of muscles in your legs, usually occurring when you're in bed. i had one so bad tonight i thought i was going to faint. These conditions include some vitamin deficiencies, physical injuries or infections that directly infect the nerves. "Skeletal muscle overload and fatigue can prompt muscle cramping locally in the overworked muscle fibers," write . Symptoms include pain in both thighs and legs. But these arteries may become narrowed. When people sleep, the muscles of their feet and calves are shortened and become vulnerable to nocturnal leg cramping. There are simple and effective ways to reduce the pain in the thigh and lower back areas. In addition to pain, this typically feels like your calf muscles are tight or knotted and can be so severe as to make it hard to flex your feet. Muscle soreness Alternatives such as orthopedic pads or exercise balls promote active core engagement by engaging leg and trunk musculature. Low back pain that originates from the sacroiliac joint may be referred to (transmitted, or radiated from) the groin, the buttock and the . When a cramp happens, try flexing the muscle, applying heat or ice and massaging the area. Dehydration - Another common reason is dehydration. Such as exercising in a cold environment in winter. This remedy's main ingredients are: CAMPHOR 3%,& MENTHOL 4%. Cramps in groin and thigh while sleeping can be due to low iron, magnesium,calcium or folate, sleep disorder like restless leg syndrome or due to a pinched superficial nerve. 6. Massage can help work out the cramps in your legs, and is especially helpful when used with a few drops of lavender oil to encourage the muscles (and you!) A warm bath or shower or a warm compress can help when the muscle is tight and an ice pack can help when the muscle is sore. One of the best home remedies for leg pain at night is a hot oatmeal bath. Others experience a burning pain, shooting pain, or constant pain. A review article published in the journal, BMC Family Practice . They affect your sleep, exercise routine and general quality of life. The muscle spasms and pain may cause some individuals to awaken from a deep sleep. He noted that sitting or sleeping in a strange position can also lead to leg cramps. Bring your knee back around in front of your body and then lower your leg. Muscle cramps are sudden, involuntary muscle contractions that can range from being a little uncomfortable to being extremely painful and disabling. i just got back from a run to . Muscle Cramps. You should always adopt a culture of sleeping in a position that stretches out your muscles and doesn't restrict blood flow to the legs. 1. 1. Muscle spasms (cramps) and strained muscles (overuse) account for most leg pain. Take supplements to correct deficiencies in iron, folate, and magnesium. Taking a hot bath and massage the legs . Sleeping in a position that interferes with normal blood circulation to your legs is a common cause of leg cramps during the night. lift your right leg straight up and grasp the back of your right calf with both hands. If you often feel cramping in your toes and feet, you likely want to know why. The classic symptoms of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) are cramplike leg muscle fatigue or heaviness, and discomfort or pain that occurs in the buttocks, thigh or calf muscles while walking or climbing stairs. 2, cold stimulation. An estimated one in three people over the age of 50 suffer from episodic nocturnal leg cramps; lower limb muscle spasms that strike after sundown. Tingling sensation and numbness are common symptoms of . For many years, experts believed muscle cramping was linked to dehydration and a loss of . Use one or both hands to gently knead and loosen the muscle. to relax. While muscle cramps can occur anywhere on the body, they most commonly occur in the legs, particularly in the back of the thigh (the hamstring) or in the calves (the lower leg). diabetes-related nerve injury. The pain typically ceases five to 10 minutes after you rest or stop the activity. It's not entirely understood what causes charley horses, though a number of factors could be at work. There are many causes of front thigh pain including injuries on the thigh. Apply heat. Thigh cramps can occur due to sudden contraction in the muscles of your legs. When not enough blood is getting to your feet, this lack of circulation can cause pain in your leg muscles. The abrubt and undeniable pain from the slap "reorganizes" the nerves. Some conditions and drugs can cause them, and there are risk factors you'll want to avoid. Lean. During a cramping episode, the affected muscles will become tight and painful and the feet and toes will be stiff. Thigh cramps almost affect everyone including the athletes and runners. Massaging or gently stretching the muscle will help it relax. One common complaint of sciatica—sharp, shooting nerve pain in the leg—is that pain can feel worse in some positions, such as when lying down to go to sleep. The pain in the legs from varicose veins tends to occur when the patient is stationary, either when sitting, standing or lying down for extended periods of time. Causes of Front Thigh Pain. Try decreasing the use of caffeine, alcohol, and tobacco. i applied heat, and managed to get in a semi-walking position, which was excruciating! Illustration: Damon Dahlen/HuffPost. Leg cramps are painful, involuntary muscle contractions that can last seconds or minutes. In some cases, heat or massage may relieve the painful symptoms. By loosening your covers and sleeping on your side, you may avoid thigh cramps. Really tough workouts. Nocturnal leg Cramps may be caused by the involuntary contraction of muscles in calves feet or sole, while the body is resting. Left leg pain during the night can likewise happen for different other reasons: An improper sleeping position. This happens because the blood pools due to the weakened, distended veins and incompetent valves. Sciatica. When the leg begins to cramp, stretch and massage the muscles until the pain dissipates. Drink water or sports drinks for electrolytes and cut back on alcohol and caffeine. Minor muscle pressures. Try IRONMAN MUSCLE RUB GEL TOPICAL PAIN RELIEVER (athlete tested ),. • Slide your hands down your legs, slowly bending forward. Leg cramps, also called charley . Can you get cramps while sleeping? 3. Pregnant women also have a higher likelihood of having night leg cramps. Soreness may last even after the cramp has ended. While activities such as walking, jogging, and climbing stairs may exacerbate the pain, there are ways to alleviate it. #2. This means that it quickly shortens and tightens, often resulting in pain. Charley horses are cramps that are caused by muscle spasms, involuntary contractions of one or more muscles. Gate stretches Stand on your left leg while you lift your right leg up. Most patients are over 40 years old. Magnesium shortage. Open sores (ulcers). Extended periods of intense exercise and physical labor can cause muscle cramps throughout the body, notes Mayo Clinic. This may sound "too simple", but daily stretching exercises can really help those people avoid leg pain from tight muscles. Weakness in your thigh muscles. Alcohol abuse. Cramps can affect any part of the leg however cramps in the shin, calf muscles and thighs seem to be most common. Erroneously believed to occur more frequently in older people, these happen frequently in teenagers and those who exercise at night. Hold for 30 seconds. The risk of having night leg cramps increases with age. About Leg Cramps. Remedies for Sharp Pain in Thigh. Leg cramps, also called charley . The Cleveland Clinic suggests forcefully stretching the affected muscle. Spinal stenosis is another issue that may cause pain in the back of thigh - a degenerative disease that tends to get worse in the long run. Cramps can affect any part of the leg however cramps in the shin, calf muscles and thighs seem to be most common. Many people suffer from leg cramps while sleeping. rhea00709 SKP1956. Usually, the calves and feet are most affected. Raise your right knee to hip level, turn it out and open away from your body. The cramp generally occurs in the calf, and the calf muscle may visibly harden. Also be on the lookout for symptoms such as . Dr. Baxi explained, "These cramps can hit in the middle of the night or they may occur mid-activity, such as during a jog.". This condition may result pain, fever, swelling, redness, etc. Pain in your legs and feet at night, or when trying to sleep, is often a symptom of peripheral artery disease (PAD). Stretch.. Sciatica is a condition that can cause thigh and hip pain during pregnancy, and it happens due to the compression of the sciatic nerve, which goes from the feet to the lower back and through the legs. Narrowed Leg Arteries The arteries of the legs carry oxygen and nutrients for the muscle, joints, ligaments, skin and bones. My theory on thsi is that the cramps are caused by nerve signal anamolies. You also can get leg cramps from standing in place for long periods of time. Not staying hydrated with enough water during the day may be one of the big causes of leg cramps at night. Difficulty sitting or rising from sitting. If you have a partner, try to talk them into doing this. Leg cramps are characterized by sudden, severe, and involuntary muscle contractions. Artery disease. Elevating the legs and moving about helps in easing the pain in the legs somewhat, as . Repeat steps 1-3 with your right leg. Lean forward until there is a stretch . Constraining in the muscles. This is known as peripheral arterial disease of the legs. It only takes a few minutes to run and is a relaxing cures for aches and pains. When a muscle cramps, it locks up, causing immobility and severe pain 1.Hamstring cramps usually occur when you are either engaged in strenuous physical activity or sleeping 1.It is normal to feel tenderness and discomfort for an entire day after a severe cramp in your hamstring. Lower the leg down. Can you get cramps while sleeping? . The small muscles of the feet are sometimes affected. Other health conditions can also raise your chances of leg cramps, including: Diabetes. These involuntary and uncomfortable contractions can disrupt your daily activities. Night leg cramps usually involve your calf muscles, although muscles in your feet or thighs might cramp as well. To eliminate morning leg pains, exercise the muscles in the legs as regularly as possible. Sit on the floor with the affected leg extended in front of you and your foot flexed. Cramps have many reasons. Peripheral artery disease leg pain can occur anywhere in your leg, but the most common places to feel pain are in the muscles of your calf, thigh or buttocks. The compression is mostly developed due to the uterus's development and growing in size. Leg cramps at night, or nocturnal leg cramps, are common and can occur due to inactivity during the day, tired muscles, or certain medical conditions. Most cramps will go away on their own within a minutes. This is mainly because of implantation of a stiff implant in the hip bone during the surgery, which eventually causes thigh pain when sitting, walking or even while sleeping. Sciatica. Many of the causes of leg pain while sitting or sleeping are the same as leg pain while walking. Lower the leg down. Hold the position for 20-30 seconds. . Home Remedies. A common problem that many people face is shin cramps. Advertisement. Main Causes. A regular leg cramp pain can last from a few seconds to . Foot or calf muscles are especially prone to cramps that occur during sports. A common problem that many people face is shin cramps. Some hormone disorders . Lying on your back with your legs extended, lift your right leg straight up and grasp the back of your right calf with both hands. 5. Apply a heating pad or warm wet washcloth to help loosen up the muscle. Therefore, when you suspect the problem, it is crucial to seek medical advice for early treatment. I tell my friends, it's like slapping a person is flipping out in order to get them to engage again. Common reasons include not drinking enough water, not getting enough exercise, and wearing shoes that are just not a good fit. If morning leg pains are not the sign of more serious health-related causes, there are a few things you can do to treat and eliminate the problem. Lying on your back with your legs extended, lift your right leg straight up and grasp the back of your right calf with both hands. 7) Consider alternative chairs. 4. Night leg cramps usually involve your calf muscles, although muscles in your feet or thighs might cramp as well. Low blood sugar. For a cramp in the back of the thigh (hamstring), do this: • Sit on the floor with your back against the bed or wall. Sciatica Causes and Symptoms Video Save • Extend your legs in front of you. Night leg cramps, also called nocturnal leg cramps, are painful . . It takes place when a muscle contracts too hard. You can try the following at home to try to relieve a cramp: Massage your leg. Repeat three times on the right, then switch sides and repeat. Leg cramps at night, or nocturnal leg cramps, are common and can occur due to inactivity during the day, tired muscles, or certain medical conditions. Minor muscle strains. It could more than a normal sign of getting older. Hard exercise has long been linked to muscle cramps. Certain medical conditions, or drugs prescribed to treat them, may contribute to the problem as well. The muscle misreads the signals and begins a cramp condition. Cramps occur at night during deep sleep. Numbness or tingling in your thigh. Treating muscle cramps. Most leg cramps occur in the calf muscles and, less commonly, in the feet and thighs. Learn more about the causes, risk factors, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of . Common causes of meralgia paresthetica include: tight clothing. Here are a few: Tight muscles - Some people just have tight hamstrings or calf muscles. 2-4 These nocturnal cramps that occur primarily during sleep are classically characterized as unilateral, painful, and palpable, involuntary muscle contractions . Sometimes sciatica may prevent you from falling asleep, or it could be so severe that you wake up in the middle of the night with throbbing pain. Depending where the cramp is could determine what is happening. Trapped nerves. This helps with those inner thigh cramps that seem to wad up outta no where. • When you feel a burning sensation in the cramped muscle, hold the position for 30 seconds. Excessive fatigue. Trapped nerves. This is most likely due to fluid imbalances of electrolytes (mainly sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium). Repeat three . The leg pain can also be due to referred pain, like in the case of sciatica. Thigh cramps at night can disturb you while sleeping. Cramps can last from a few seconds up to 10 minutes. Thigh muscle cramps tend to last the longest. Pinched nerves typically cause thigh pain that changes depending on your spine's position, so this can be a clue to your healthcare provider that your low back is actually causing your thigh pain. Shin divides. Edited 11 months ago. Inner thigh cramps can be caused by straining or overusing a muscle; deficiencies of dietary minerals such as calcium; insufficient blood circulation in the muscles; and dehydration, according to MedlinePlus. People often help to alleviate this pain by hanging their legs over the side of the bed or standing up, which sends blood pumping back through the feet (thank you gravity). Magnesium deficiency. Foot or leg cramps may also awaken your child from sleep. How to avoid leg pain in bed: Exercise daily, aiming for at least 30 minutes plus stretching Avoid caffeine, especially after dinner Try the hot tub after working out Best Recliner for Sleeping Bend the other knee out to the side and position the foot under the torso. Night leg cramps, also called nocturnal leg cramps, are painful . Also walking around, jiggling the muscle, and massaging the muscle may be helpful — and note there may be a knot where the cramp originated. In some cases, dehydration or potassium deficiency may cause leg cramps or nighttime pain. These various regions can be moved about thanks to the joint. A cramp is an involuntary contraction of a muscle or a group of muscles that is mostly temporary but results in pain and affects mobility while it lasts. The spine and hip meet at the sacroiliac joint. Your hamstring is a muscle at the back of your thigh that is used nearly every time you move your leg 1. However, here are nine possible suspects: Dehydration. Forcefully stretching the contracted muscle relieves the pain. being overweight or obese. Neural Conditions. Brief pains (1 to 15 minutes) are often due to muscle spasms (cramps). The best way to avoid leg cramps is to stay hydrated. Sleeping at night without covering the quilt, the calf muscles are stimulated by the cold. Leg cramps at night, or nocturnal leg cramps, are common and can occur due to inactivity during the day, tired muscles, or certain medical conditions. Leg cramps usually occur in one of the calf muscles, below and behind the knee. When it begins to deteriorate, weakness may cause pain in the buttocks, legs, back, thighs, or hips. Infection in the bone also known as osteomyelitis, usually affects the long bones like one in the thigh. To ease leg cramps, Dr. Baxi said applying warmth (think: a hot bath or a heating pad) can be helpful. In some cases, dehydration or potassium deficiency may cause leg cramps or nighttime pain. In Pregnant women An imbalance in sodium, calcium, magnesium, or potassium could all lead to leg cramping, says Gerardo Miranda-Comas, MD, associate program director of the sports medicine fellowship at the Icahn .