Both activity and inactivity can lead to cramps and spasms, which generally come in the form of painful, involuntary contractions of muscles that may cause a hard, bulging muscle.
Overused, fatigued muscles may cramp, especially leg muscles: the thigh, calf and arch of the foot. Less common are medical conditions that cause muscle cramps, such as dehydration, pregnancy, hypothyroidism, alcoholism, ingesting too little magnesium or calcium, and taking certain medications. Luckily, most patients can treat muscle cramps themselves. They can stretch out the cramped muscle; for a leg cramp, they can sit with your leg flat on the floor and pull your toes toward you.
Walk off a foot cramp; gentle massage and heat treatments are other effective treatments. In a muscle tear, muscle fibers, the tendons attached to the muscle, or blood vessels in the muscles may be damaged.
Muscle tears can occur during sports or any activity that applies a sudden and excessive load to a muscle. Pain happens quickly at the injury site and is accompanied by swelling. Tears can be minor or so severe that they affect the entire muscle.
Several methods of self care also are available to treat muscle tears. Patients can ice the injured area for about 30 minutes hourly, providing that they wrap the ice in a soft cloth; elevate the injured limb; apply heat when swelling and pain decrease, to bring blood to the injured muscle; rest the limb for at least 24 to 48 hours before allowing even mild use. Complete healing may take a period of months.
Soreness or strains may develop in muscles following unaccustomed exercise, often when a muscle has been stretched too far or overused. Sometimes referred to as muscle stiffness, this may occur immediately following or up to a day after exercising. Although bothersome, this pain is common in the back, neck or legs.
The patient can remedy soreness or strains by resting the affected muscles, practicing gentle stretching exercises or massage, applying heat, or using acetaminophen, aspirin or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. When muscles on one side of the body are much stronger than those on the other side, they can put added stress on weaker muscles and surrounding joints, causing injury.
Patients can remedy this brand of muscle exertion by ensuring that they exercise the opposing muscles in some way to maintain the bodily balance. Someone who lifts heavy objects all day may overdevelop the chest and arm muscles, placing strain on muscles located in the back and shoulders. Workouts with weights or in a gym to strengthen the back and shoulders can help restore a good balance.
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