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How Do You Get Rid Of Muscle Cramps Fast?

Menstrual muscle cramps are the most common symptom of menstrual cycle.1 Some women have muscle cramps while some experience moderate to severe muscle cramps. These are the cramps that figures right in the abdominal region and interfere in the routine activities. The cramps continue during the menstrual period i.e. for 3-4 days.

However, muscle cramps are also a symptom of pre-menstrual syndrome, which occurs 2-3 days before the start of the menstrual cycle. The treatment from muscle cramps generally provided form the premenstrual syndrome till the end of the menstrual cycle. Various risk factors increase the chances of moderate to severe muscle cramps during menstrual period such as starting cycle at an early age, heavy bleeding or if the woman is overweight.

How Do You Get Rid Of Muscle Cramps Fast?

How Do You Get Rid Of Muscle Cramps Fast?

The best way to get rid of menstrual muscle cramps is to manage as soon as the initial symptoms of muscle cramp develop. If the symptoms of muscle cramps are allowed to become sever, more aggressive treatment would be required, and there will also be a delay in pain relief. The treatment provided for menstrual muscle cramps is the combination of household therapies as well as medicines. While medicines provided relatively immediate effect while other therapies, if started at an early stage, may provide significant relief from pain.

Muscle Relaxants: As the muscle cramp involves the painful contraction of muscles, various muscle relaxants are used to bring back the muscle in relaxed position. Mild muscle relaxant provides significant relief from the muscle cramps due to menstrual period.2

Cold Therapy: Cold therapy may also be applied to get rid of the pain. The ice may be wrapped in a towel and applied on the belly. This will help in reduce inflammation and significantly reduces pain.

Hot Therapy: Hot therapy is an important old and traditional method for managing the pain of menstrual period. Studies have shown that applying hot pads on the abdomen or belly area may provide relief from pain equivalent to NSAIDs.

NSAIDs: For mild pain and inflammation, Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used. The dosage of these drugs continues for 3-4 days and they can also be used during the pre-menstrual period. The drugs that can be used for treating the menstrual cramps include ibuprofen, naproxen and mefenamic acid. Generally, a combination of NSAID and muscle relaxant can be used to effectively manage the condition.2

Take Short Walks: Do not stay for a long in your bed as it may makes the muscles rigid and muscle cramp condition may become more painful. You should take a small walk, not necessarily for a long time. Further, walking at regular interval will help improve blood circulation and accelerates the process of healing.

Massage: Massage for muscle cramp can be done with essential oils. Studies have concluding that massaging with essential oil provides more instant effect that without essential oils. The oils that can be used include lavender and marjoram oil. This will help pressing the specific sections or points in the abdomen leading to pain relief.

Avoid Foods That Causes Cramps: Various foods that increase the chances of muscle contraction and increase in the severity of menstrual symptoms should be avoided. Foods such as fatty foods, caffeine and salt increase the risk of gas formation and water retention.

Muscle cramps are characterized by strong and painful muscle contractions. Most of the muscle cramps are not serious but these may interfere with the normal routine activities. Muscle cramps are caused due to the inflammation in the uterus due to the shedding of the uterine lining. Muscle cramps, which are severe and for a prolonged period, may indicate other serious diseases.

Conclusion

Menstrual muscle cramps exist 3-4 days prior to the start of menstrual period till the end of the period. The therapy for treating the muscle cramps involves a combination of medicines and home remedies. Various remedies available are muscle relaxants, cold and hot therapy, NSAIDs, massage and walking slowly.

References:  

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Team PainAssist
Team PainAssist
Written, Edited or Reviewed By: Team PainAssist, Pain Assist Inc. This article does not provide medical advice. See disclaimer
Last Modified On:July 31, 2019

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