Nature Creation
HOT POCKETSLet’s face it: periods can be exceedingly painful as they are, let alone adding leg muscle cramps into the equation. Suppose a sharp pain in the thighs or calves has ever been enough to make you grimace while on your period; you are not the only one. Leg muscle cramps are relatively common during periods and tend to make those few days each month even more inconvenient.
But having a solution is deliciously simple and much more straightforward than most think. In this blog, we detail the reason behind your annoying cramps and, most importantly, share five tips to make them disappear so you can feel like yourself again.
Why Do You Get Leg Muscle Cramps During Your Period?
First and foremost, what is up with these cramps? It often has to do with menstrual pain, and yes, we do associate it more with the abdomen. Still, because of the deeply rooted dysfunction of the system, it is entirely plausible to get cramps elsewhere, including your legs.
Here’s what’s happening:
- Hormonal Level Disbalance: Whenever a period starts, a woman also begins to produce prostaglandins, which break down the uterus’s inner lining. When prostaglandin levels get too high, said substances can constrict blood vessels and muscles in the leg area, so sometimes myasthenia and a bad case of pain can set in.
- Decreased Blood Circulation: Blood flow to specific areas in the body may be restricted in some women, leading to cramps in the thighs, calves, and even in the feet.
- Reductions in Magnesium or Potassium Levels: Changes in electrolyte balance occur due to hormonal changes, as do decreases in magnesium and potassium levels, leading to muscle cramps.
While these leg cramps occur frequently, they must not be endured without intervention.
Step 1: Apply Heat to Soothe the Muscles
One of the best and simplest ways of relaxing tight muscles in the abdomen and the limbs is by using warming pads. Only the Nature Creation herbal heating pad is known to contour perfectly around the legs, providing heat and aromatherapy simultaneously. It counters stiffness and soothes the senses.
Instructions:
- Use a heating pad to wrap around the cramping muscle for 15-20 minutes.
- Repeat throughout the day.
Muscle cramps are almost instant pain relief due to increased blood flow and relaxation of muscle fibers caused by heat.
Herbal Microwave Heating Pads for Soothing tight muscles
Step 2: Stretch It Out
Crampy calves might be the last thing you want to consider when muscle pain takes over your body. However, moving around through stretching can work wonders towards diminishing the pain. Stretching improves muscle spasms and tightness previously built up in the muscle and prevents further muscle snapping from recurring.
Try this simple calf stretch:
- Position yourself standing with both hands in contact with a wall at a shoulder-level height.
- Extend the cramping leg behind you with your back straight while ensuring your heel remains glued to the floor.
- Lean forward a little, keep your knee bent at a 90-degree angle, and gently feel your calf pumping up like a balloon. Stretching also keeps life caring, and it also performs an act of kindness.
- Switch legs and hold for 20 – 30 seconds, provided you feel relaxed.
A basic quad or hamstring stretch from a seated position can also do miracles for your thighs.
Step 3: Stay Hydrated and Mind Your Minerals
Did you know feeling thirsty or lacking elements such as magnesium and potassium could worsen calf pain and muscle cramps? It’s essential to maintain the intake of water throughout the entire duration of your monthly cycle.
Water drinking tips:
- Ensure your target is at least eight to ten cups of water throughout the day.
- In your snacks, ensure foods in close quarters and packed with potassium, such as bananas, avocados, and sweet potatoes.
- If given the green light by your doctor, consider adding magnesium supplements to your routine.
Having enough liquid softens thigh muscle cramps and reduces tiredness and discomfort, known as bloating.
Step 4: Massage Away the Pain
Massage increases circulation, which relaxes tight muscles and makes them tremble with relief. You can self-massage at home, but being a certified professional is not a prerequisite!
Try this:
- Rub Nature Creation’s Herbal Muscle Rub to create a sizzling fire in your palm.
- Using the first method, apply smooth pressure whilst rotating to the region stricken with cramps.
- Please focus on the tender spots and rub them for 5 to 10 minutes.
For soothing inflammation and relaxing muscles optimally, our Herbal Muscle Rub is blended with essential oils like lavender and peppermint, which makes the task practically effortless.
Step 5: Keep Moving (Yes, Really!)
Curling up on the couch is the best option, but engaging in light activities alleviates any period-related leg cramps. Movement improves blood flow, which optimizes the looseness of your muscles.
Here are some simple solutions:
- Go for a 20-minute walk outdoors.
- Gentle yoga poses, like Child’s Pose, Cat-Cow, and Legs-Up-The-Wall, are also a great choice.
- Swimming and low-impact cycling are captivating options if you like them.
Endorphins, the pain reducers, are released in the body as you exercise, which is also known as a natural painkiller.
Bonus Tips for Preventing Leg Cramps
- Watch your caffeine intake: Too much caffeine can dehydrate you and worsen cramps.
- Practice good sleep posture: Keep your legs slightly elevated to encourage blood flow.
- Track your cycle: Notice patterns in your cramps and prep your relief plan beforehand.
When to See a Doctor
Most period-related leg cramps do not pose significant concerns; however, in the case that you experience:
- Recurrent, excessive leg discomfort,
- Inflamed parts of the leg,
- Cramps of sudden onset without any identifiable explanation,
It is essential to seek medical attention immediately. These symptoms may indicate a more serious issue, such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
Final Thoughts: Take Charge of Your Comfort
While leg muscle cramps during menstruation can be annoying, they can still be managed. Simple adjustments such as heat application, stretching in almost any position where the legs are extended, massage and light activity can alleviate cramps and help you feel better.
Do not forget that Nature Creation has your back—and front—covered every step of the way. From Herbal Heating Pads to Eye masks, our natural products are aimed at helping soften the pain of periods and reduce inflammation.
Want to learn how to relax leg cramps pertinently? Make a purchase from our collections for menstruation relief today!