Why Do Some People Get a Charley Horse?

A Charley horse is a very common condition that results in your muscles becoming cramped and extremely painful. There is a good chance you've had one a number of times in your lifetime.

The expression "Charley horse" comes from America and either refers to Charley "Old Hoss" Radbourne, an 1880s-era baseball pitcher who often suffered from muscle cramps during games, or a lame work horse named Charley who limped around doing various jobs around a baseball park, also in the 1880s.

What Causes a Charley Horse?

A Charley horse is temporary and goes away on its own, but can interfere with activities, as well as with sleep.

In one study of more than 500 people 60 years and older, 31% reported being woken up by muscle cramps and 15% had cramps more than three times a month.

A Charley horse can usually come about under these circumstances:

• During exercise
• At nighttime, especially in the elderly
• In pregnant women
• In people with neurological disease
• During kidney dialysis
• Being dehydrated

It is theorized that a Charley horse may be related to a neurological cause. That cause may be a rapidly firing nerve, which is firing up to 150 electrical discharges per second that causes the muscle to lock up. It is not thought to be caused by a problem with the muscle tissue itself, although that may also be a factor.

These factors may also increase your risk of a getting a Charley horse:

• Poor blood circulation in your legs
• Muscle fatigue or overexertion
• Dehydration
• Mineral deficiencies, including magnesium, potassium or calcium

What to Do If You Get a Charley Horse:

A Charley horse can come about without notice, sometimes waking you up from a sound sleep.

1. If you're lying down when the pain starts, stand up and walk around. Walking around will help to increase blood circulation to your muscles and possibly relieve the Charley horse.

2. You can also try stretching your muscle that is locked up. If it is your calf, pull your toes and foot towards your head, stretching the locked muscle. You can also do this with a towel.

3. Squeezing and massaging the belly of the locked muscle can also help, especially when stretching the locked muscle at the same time.

4. I have found that Himalayan sea salt dissolved in water works wonders for relieving a Charley horse. I tried this on myself and I have recommended it to my patients too. So far there has been a 100% success rate. I use a large pinch of Himalayan sea salt and a few ounces of water. Himalayan salt contains 84 minerals and trace minerals, which improves your electrolyte balance. The response is rapid, usually within one minute.

4. Using an Epsom salt bath may also help to relieve pain and possibly help with the prevention of a Charley horse. Epson salt has a high magnesium content.

5. Staying well-hydrated is also important for preventing muscle cramps and a Charley horse.

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