Treatment for arm and leg cramps

The specific treatment of arm and leg cramps is always associated with a specific pathology and is aimed at eliminating the underlying cause of the disorder.

In cases of severe seizures associated with a serious illness or those that occur without an obvious cause, additional examination and more intensive therapy are prescribed. In the case of a generalized problem, anticonvulsants are used - Primidone, Phenobarbital.

Based on the diagnostic results, the doctor prescribes a comprehensive treatment, depending on the cause of the cramps in the arms and legs. Therapy can cover several areas at once.

• Systemic drug treatment involves the use of drugs that correspond to the underlying disease. The drugs of choice may be:
  • venotonics, angioprotectors (Troxevasin, Detralex);
  • analgesics, antispasmodics (Spazgan, Baralgin);
  • nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (Acetylsalicylic acid, Ortofen, Ibuprofen);
  • muscle relaxants (Baclofen, Mydocalm);
  • vitamin and mineral preparations (Magne B ₆, Calcium D ₃ Nycomed, Asparkam, calcium gluconate, Ascorutin).
• Local drug treatment involves the use of ointments and gels that can improve vascular blood flow and alleviate symptoms at the local level. The most commonly prescribed external agents are Troxevasin, Actovegin, Heparin ointment, as well as Menovazin, Lyoton.

In case of febrile seizures, antipyretic drugs are prescribed, in case of severe convulsive syndrome - a solution of diazepam, magnesium sulfate, furosemide. Such treatment can only be prescribed by a doctor, after a thorough assessment of the diagnostic results.

You shouldn't think that any one medication can relieve cramps in your arms and legs. Usually, you have to take a whole range of measures, which ultimately produces the desired effect, which consists not just in eliminating the symptoms, but in influencing the underlying disease.

Detralex	Venotonic and angioprotective drug based on diosmin and hesperidin. Detralex is taken one tablet in the morning and evening, with food. The drug can be taken for a long time, up to three months.	Side effects are rare and are expressed in digestive disorders or neurovegetative disorders, which resolve on their own and do not require additional therapy.
Spazgan	A combination drug with analgesic and antispasmodic effects. It is a combination of a non-narcotic analgesic, a myotropic antispasmodic and an M-anticholinergic. Spazgan is taken one tablet twice a day, trying to maintain an interval of 10-12 hours between doses. The recommended duration of administration is no more than 4-5 days.	If the drug is taken in recommended quantities, side effects will not bother you. In other cases, constipation, low blood pressure, dizziness, allergies, dry mucous membranes are possible.
Baclofen	A fairly strong central muscle relaxant. Baclofen is taken strictly as prescribed by a doctor, 5-20 mg three times a day, adhering to an individual treatment regimen.	The drug may cause side effects such as sleep and orientation disorders, agitation, depressive states and paresthesia, accommodation disorders, tachycardia, chest pain, liver dysfunction, increased sweating, allergies, polyuria, etc.
Asparkam	A combination drug, represented by potassium and magnesium aspartate. Prescribed for deficiency of potassium and magnesium in the body, 1-2 tablets three times a day, for 3-4 weeks.	Side effects are rare and include dyspepsia, decreased blood pressure, allergies, and a feeling of blood flow.
Ascorutin	A preparation containing ascorbic acid and rutin. It is used for cramps caused by increased vascular permeability, one tablet up to three times a day.	Side effects when taking Ascorutin are rare. Allergy to the drug is possible.
Heparin ointment	Ointment based on heparin and anesthesin, used for superficial thrombophlebitis, phlebitis. The product is lightly rubbed into the skin of the affected limbs 2-3 times a day.	Usually the drug does not cause side effects. The only exception may be an allergy to the components of the ointment.

Vitamins and microelements

Unpleasant cramps in the arms and legs can often be eliminated by simply changing your diet or taking additional multivitamin complex preparations. Many people notice that the cramps are relieved or disappear completely within 1-2 weeks after providing the body with a sufficient amount of vitamins and minerals. Which of these substances should you pay special attention to:

• Magnesium is one of the main microelements prescribed to patients with cramps. Magnesium is present in large quantities in kelp, beans, lentils, dried fruits, greens, and sprouted wheat.
• Calcium is an essential microelement that supports the growth of bone and muscle tissue. It is found in abundance not only in dairy products and cottage cheese, but also in hard cheeses, sesame, nuts, soybeans, and parsley.
• Potassium is a necessary participant in most metabolic processes. It is found in such products as fish, bananas, milk, chicken.
• Vitamin D is a whole range of fat-soluble vitamins that are not only synthesized in the body under the influence of ultraviolet light, but also come from food - for example, from butter and vegetable oil, sea fish, egg yolks.

If we consider pharmacy multivitamin preparations, then for cramps in the arms and legs, the following medications are especially relevant:

• Complivit, Vitrum - universal vitamin complexes that help not only eliminate cramps, but also strengthen the immune system;
• Aquadetrim, Vigantol – help to replenish the lack of vitamin D;
• Magne-B ₆, Magnikum – provides the body with magnesium and pyridoxine;
• Calcium D ₃ Nycomed – contains the necessary components calcium and vitamin D;
• Doppelherz with potassium and sodium – restores the level of potassium and sodium in the body.

Physiotherapy treatment for cramps in arms and legs

Physiotherapy is widely used to eliminate cramps in the arms and legs. For example, we are talking about the following methods:

• Interference therapy is one of the methods of electrotherapy, which uses two or more alternating currents of medium frequencies. The main focus of such treatment is to improve peripheral blood circulation, normalize the disturbed tone of the main vessels.
• Phonophoresis is a procedure that involves the introduction of active medications into tissues using low-frequency ultrasound waves. Phonophoresis helps relieve tissues from hypoxia, improves cellular metabolism, stimulates regeneration processes, eliminates edema, and activates blood and lymph flow.
• Myostimulation is a method of rehabilitation therapy based on electrical stimulation of nerve and muscle fibers. It is carried out by transmitting current from a myostimulator to human tissues via electrodes. As a result, the function of muscles and other structures is optimized and restored.
• Massage – helps to activate blood circulation and lymphatic drainage, eliminate muscle spasms and pain.
• Hydrotherapy is a complex water treatment that improves blood circulation, tones blood vessels, and helps eliminate muscle spasms. Contrast dousing and showers are most often practiced.
• Pearl baths involve the thermal and mechanical action of water and air bubbles. This procedure reduces excitability, calms the nervous system, eliminates pain and spasms, and restores nervous regulation of muscles.

In addition to the above procedures, exercise therapy, electrotherapy, paraffin and mud applications are also very helpful.

Folk remedies

If cramps in the arms and legs are caused by a lack of fluid in the body, then the problem can be solved not only by drinking enough water. There is another, quick folk recipe: apply a cold towel soaked in a strong salt solution to the bothersome areas - for example, to the legs.

When there is a circulatory disorder in the extremities, hot compresses and lotions often help. You can apply a towel soaked in a hot herbal decoction, or just in hot water. Contrast dousing or showers, warm baths are also practiced. When cramping in the arms and legs, you can dip your extremities alternately in hot and cold water.

If the problem concerns the legs, it is recommended to regularly perform the following gymnastic exercises:

• lying on the bed, tense the muscles of the legs, pull the toes towards you and hold this position for 7 seconds, then relax;
• in a standing position, cross your legs, then first stand on the outside of your feet, then on the inside, etc.;
• sharply stretch their arms upward, trying to stretch the spine area, while standing on their toes; hold the position for seven seconds, then roll onto their heels and relax.

If you frequently experience cramps in your arms and legs, you should definitely review your eating habits. Often, cramps are provoked by excessive consumption of coffee, strong tea, and smoking.

Herbal treatment

To get rid of cramps, prepare the following herbal infusion:

• shepherd's purse;
• couch grass;
• yarrow;
• mint;
• knotweed;
• nettle;
• silverweed.

All herbs are taken in equal quantities and mixed. Pour 200 ml of boiling water over 100 g of the mixture and leave in a thermos for half an hour. Then take a deep bucket, fill it with warm water, add the herbal infusion and lower your feet into it. It is necessary that the troublesome areas are in the water – for example, the calves. The procedure lasts up to 20 minutes. To eliminate the problem, about ten procedures are usually required, which are repeated daily at night.

You can also prepare another herbal mixture that includes equal parts of the following plants:

• mistletoe;
• calendula;
• rhubarb (stems and leaves);
• yellow sweet clover;
• red clover.

Take 1 tbsp of the mixture, pour 1 liter of boiling water, leave for 10 minutes in a water bath, then leave for another half hour. Soak a towel in the resulting infusion and apply to the affected areas, without removing for five hours.

In addition, it is recommended to take chamomile and thyme infusions internally: they are brewed and drunk like tea.

Homeopathy for Arm and Leg Cramps

What can homeopathy offer for cramps in the arms and legs? As in other cases, homeopathic preparations are effective and safe, do not cause side effects and have virtually no contraindications (the exception is individual sensitivity to the components of the product). The difficulty is that the dosage of such a drug is determined only by a specialist during a personal consultation. In general, we can recommend the following homeopathic remedies:

• Secale, Sulphur, Veratrum album - help with cramps in the calf muscles;
• Magnesia phosphorica – eliminates leg cramps and spasms;
• Stramonium - prescribed for unilateral convulsions, numbness;
• Nux vomica helps with tactile cramps that occur when trying to touch, during massage, etc.;
• Veratrum viride - used for febrile seizures;
• Argentum nitricum – helps with muscle twitching in the legs, after stress and anxiety;
• Cicuta virosa – relieves severe, pronounced cramps that appear against the background of helminthic invasions, neurological disorders, etc.;
• Plumbum - stops convulsive contractions of the extensor muscles, including strong ones accompanied by pain.

Surgical treatment

Surgical intervention may be recommended if the seizures are caused by venous circulatory insufficiency or partial seizures caused by a local seizure focus. However, in both cases, surgery is only an extreme method if drug treatment is not effective enough and does not provide control over the underlying disease.

In case of varicose veins, treatment usually begins with the use of medications (venotonics) and compression stockings or bandages. If the proposed therapy is ineffective, the question of surgical intervention will be considered.