When to worry about leg cramps at night

Treatment for a charley horse will depend on the severity, frequency, and underlying cause of the muscle spasms. In most cases, charley horses will heal on their own without any medical treatment.

Stretching the affected area or deeply massaging it is the best way to stop the muscle spasm.

During a charley horse, stretch the affected area and hold it until the muscle spasms stop.

You can also try using both of your thumbs to apply pressure to the site of the cramp until the pain goes away.

Other home remedies that may help include:

If you experience recurring muscle spasms and these home remedies don’t help, speak with a doctor.

Why is it called a charley horse

They may recommend doing physical therapy or taking over-the-counter or prescription medications, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or antispasmodic medication.

Learn more about how to stop leg muscle cramps.

Once you identify the cause of the occasional charley horse, symptoms are generally easy to prevent. Take these steps to help avoid future muscle spasms:

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