DID YOU KNOW...

When you get muscle cramps you may be dehydrated, straining the muscles, or have a lack of minerals in your body?

Muscle cramps, also called "Charley Horse", are sudden, involuntary contractions or spasms in one or more of your muscles that interfere with function. They often occur after exercise or at night, lasting a few seconds to several minutes. It is a very common muscle problem. Muscle cramps in the neck or back can be caused by nerves that malfunction and may be due to a health problem such as a pinched nerve. When you get chronic muscle spasms your body is telling you something is not right. Seek the advice your physician.

Cramps can be very painful. To relieve the pain, gently stretch or massage the muscle group. Follow up with moist heat such as a hot pack or take a hot bath to relax the muscles further and to reduce soreness after the spasm subsides.

TIPS to avoid muscle cramps and injuries:

• Stay hydrated - drink plenty of water, daily

• Proper fuel - eat a healthy diet that includes lots of fruits & vegetables, whole grains, legumes and low fat protein on a consistent basis

• Appropriate training - warm up, stretch, strengthen, condition, cool down

• Adequate rest and relaxation - to restore after exercise

• Mindfulness - focus on current activity

• Listen to your body - pain is a good indicator that something is amiss

Athletic maintenance massage can help keep your muscles and joints flexible, hasten recovery from injury, and improve the performance of your body. Please call us for more information, (203) 481-7866.

"The race is not always to the swift, but to those who keep on running." -Anonymous