Nothing cramps your style quite like foot cramps. Whether you want to go out for a brisk winter walk, enjoy the sights and sounds of the city, or just try to get some sleep, it’s hard to think about or do anything else when muscles seize up in your arch or toes.
When the pain hits, try any combination of gentle stretching, heat, and massage to ease the pain. Stretching can help tightened muscles to relax, while massage and heat improve blood flow. This allows your circulatory system to be more efficient at delivering oxygen and nutrients to your aching muscles, while at the same time removing toxins and other waste products.
Although you can never truly predict when a foot cramp might strike, you can prevent them as best as possible by eating a healthy diet and staying hydrated. Nutrients like potassium, calcium, and magnesium promote muscle health and keep them from seizing up; drinking plenty of water, especially during exercise, helps your body absorb and use those nutrients more effectively.
Cramps are more likely to strike weak, fatigued muscles. Stretching and strength training for your feet and ankles will make them more able to tolerate the daily stresses of life without seizing up. It’s important not to overdo it, though—ease into new exercise routines slowly. Too much intense exercise over a long period of time, without enough rest and recovery, not only makes cramps more likely but also increases your risk of other overuse injuries such as stress fractures or tendon ruptures.
Don’t put up with foot cramps that put you in constant pain. The podiatrists of Family Foot and Ankle Center will zero in on the specific triggers leading to your discomfort and help you limit or eliminate the intensity and frequency of attacks. Give us a call at (513) 728-4800 or (859) 282-1572, or schedule an appointment online.
