Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCausesPossible Causes of Muscle CrampsTreatment and Prevention
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Causes
Possible Causes of Muscle Cramps
Treatment and Prevention
Muscle cramps and spasms happen when a muscle spontaneously contracts. The reason for this isn’t well understood, but some researchers believe cramps and spasms may be related to muscle fatigue, muscle strain, or other factors like dehydration.
A muscle spasm or muscle cramp can cause minor discomfort to severe pain. You may even end up with a bruise in the location of the cramp.
This article discusses muscle cramps and muscle spasms, their possible causes, and what you can do to prevent them.
Verywell / Laura Porter
What’s Happening When a Muscle Cramps
Mostmuscle spasmsand cramps are involuntary contractions of a muscle. A serious muscle spasm doesn’t release on its own and requires manual stretching to help relax and lengthen the shortened muscle.
Cramps can involve part of a muscle or all the muscles in a group. The most commonly affected muscle groups include:
How to Get Rid of Sore Muscles: 10 Relief Tips
Spasms and cramps can be mild or extremely painful. While they can happen to any skeletal muscle, they are most common in the legs and feet and muscles that cross twojoints, such as the calf muscle.
Muscle cramps range in intensity from a slight twitch or tic to severe pain. A cramped muscle can feel rock-hard and can last a few seconds to several minutes or longer.
It is not uncommon for cramps to ease up and then return several times before they go away entirely.
Everything You Need to Know About a Calf Strain
The exactcauseof muscle cramps is still unknown, but the theories most commonly cited include:
Other factors that have been associated with muscle cramps include exercising in extreme heat.
Because athletes are more likely to get cramps in the preseason, near the end of (or thenight after) intense or prolonged exercise, some feel that a lack of conditioning may cause cramps.
What Are Cramps During Pregnancy?
Neuromuscular Control and Cramps
While all these theories are being studied, researchers are finding more evidence in favor of the “altered neuromuscular control” hypothesis. Some researchers think this may be the primary mechanism that leads toexercise-associated muscle cramping (EAMC).
According to this theory, muscle cramping is often related to muscle fatigue and results in a disruption of muscle coordination and control.
A 2018 review concluded that there was better evidence in favor of the neuromuscular hypothesis, and that there was only inconsistent evidence to support the dehydration and electrolyte depletion theory.
What Causes Leg Pain (and How to Find Relief)
Muscle Cramp Treatment and Prevention
Most muscle cramps are not serious. If your muscle cramps are severe, frequent, constant or of concern, see your healthcare provider.
Should You Drink Pickle Juice for a Muscle Cramp?
Summary
A muscle spasm is an involuntary contraction of the muscle. It can be very painful and can sometimes even leave a bruise on the skin.
The exact cause of muscle cramps isn’t known for sure, but some researchers believe it may be related to muscle fatigue and a disruption in muscle control.
Charley Horse: Everything You Need to Know
3 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Muscle cramps.Jahic D, Begic E.Exercise-associated muscle cramp-doubts about the cause.Mater Sociomed. 2018;30(1):67-69. doi:10.5455/msm.2018.30.67-69Giuriato G, Pedrinolla A, Schena F, Venturelli M.Muscle cramps: a comparison of the two-leading hypothesis.J Electromyogr Kinesiol. 2018;41:89-95.
3 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Muscle cramps.Jahic D, Begic E.Exercise-associated muscle cramp-doubts about the cause.Mater Sociomed. 2018;30(1):67-69. doi:10.5455/msm.2018.30.67-69Giuriato G, Pedrinolla A, Schena F, Venturelli M.Muscle cramps: a comparison of the two-leading hypothesis.J Electromyogr Kinesiol. 2018;41:89-95.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Muscle cramps.Jahic D, Begic E.Exercise-associated muscle cramp-doubts about the cause.Mater Sociomed. 2018;30(1):67-69. doi:10.5455/msm.2018.30.67-69Giuriato G, Pedrinolla A, Schena F, Venturelli M.Muscle cramps: a comparison of the two-leading hypothesis.J Electromyogr Kinesiol. 2018;41:89-95.
The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Muscle cramps.
Jahic D, Begic E.Exercise-associated muscle cramp-doubts about the cause.Mater Sociomed. 2018;30(1):67-69. doi:10.5455/msm.2018.30.67-69
Giuriato G, Pedrinolla A, Schena F, Venturelli M.Muscle cramps: a comparison of the two-leading hypothesis.J Electromyogr Kinesiol. 2018;41:89-95.
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
