How To Deal With Persistent Leg Cramps After Your Weekend Jog

Posted on: 29 December 2016

Leg cramps can put a real damper on your jogging routine. If you are constantly suffering from bad muscle pain and leg cramps after a workout, then you need to do something about it. There is some underlying problem that needs to be addressed. You can't simply push through the pain, no matter how often you've heard that hackneyed expression. So, here are three methods to use that can help you alleviate that leg cramp and get you back on the path to running without pain:

Electrolyte Problems: Drink Coconut Water

One of the simplest problems to fix is a lack of electrolytes. One of the most important electrolytes is potassium. If you are lacking in potassium, then you can get muscle cramps. Many health conscious people avoid sugary "energy drinks", and prefer to drink just plain water when they exercise. The one problem with drinking just water when you are doing heavy exercise is that plain water won't replenish you with electrolytes, including potassium. One healthy way to get that healthy potassium is to drink coconut water. This is a great source of potassium and it's not loaded with high fructose corn syrup or artificial colors.

Stretch It Out, Then Roll It Out

Another reason you might have leg cramps and muscle problems is that you might have tight muscles. If you don't stretch, then you can strain your muscles during your jog. The solution is easy. Incorporate a stretching routine into your pre-workout, and also consider using a foam roller post workout. You can use these rollers to apply pressure to the calf muscles and also your quadriceps. This is a great way of doing a form of massage on yourself without having to go to a massage therapist.

Dry Needling For Troublesome Trigger Points

Sometimes you just can't seem to stretch it out, or workout it out using a roller, so you need something more than what you can do yourself. One interesting method to consider is dry needling. This is similar to acupuncture, except that it focuses on Myofascial trigger points, not meridians. The needles are the same solid needles (not hypodermic) that are used in acupuncture, except the dry needle practitioner is not looking to "unblock" energy by placing the needles into meridians that control the flow of energy/lifeforce/qi. What the dry needle practitioner is doing is placing them on trigger points that contain tight muscle knots that can cause the pain.The dry needle will help to break up the knots and relieve the discomfort they are causing.

If you have other questions about dry needling or other therapies, contact a company like Balance Point Therapy with your concerns.

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