If you’re sure the pain is from a cramp and not something else (like a muscle tear), some gentle stretching is a good short-term pain management strategy. Rolling your feet over a tennis ball, carefully grasping your toes and pulling upward, calf and gastrocnemius stretches, and others can be especially effective. Massage and heat are also decent techniques, since both get blood and nutrients flowing to affected muscles. If you don’t have a heating pad, you can try soaking your feet in warm (but not too hot!) bath water.
Generally speaking, cramps can be traced to either too much stress on weakened muscles, or not enough essential vitamins to keep them nourished. Foot cramp prevention focuses on improving these factors. If you’re dealing with chronic pain from cramps, call Family Foot and Ankle Center or set up an appointment online. Drop us a line at (513) 728-4800 or (859) 282-1572.
