The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Cold Showers
Posted by Araeshkigal (Hurst, TX) on 02/16/2007
★★★★★
I first started taking cold showers as a suggested remedy for migraines. It more than worked. It also helped alleviate skin breakouts, regular muscle cramping, and some blood pressure issues (I changed nothing else in diet or exercise to be sure this was what was having the effects) I find it's best to start barely warm and slowly get to cold. If you can't stand ice cold at first just go "on the cool side" till you get a tolerance. You don't have to *freeze* to get the benefits. Also I find cold baths do *not* have the same theraputic effect as' cold showers (anyone else?)
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Clarence (Kaiserslautern, Germany) on 12/27/2006
★★★★★
I had a leg cramp the other night. I went to my kitchen and took a tablespoon of ACV in a glass of water (4 - 6 ) ounces. It helped almost immediately.
Ivory Soap
Posted by Francis (Honolulu, USA)
★★★★★
I have some friends who suffer from leg cramps at night. I subscribe to Health & Healing and and found an article about the cramps and a cure that works. It said to keep a bar of "Ivory" soap on your nightstand and when the cramps come, just rub the soap bar on the leg and the cramps will go away very quickly. I told my friends about it and they tried it and said it works. In the article Dr. Whitaker said he doesn't know why it works but it does.
Buffered Salt
Posted by Robert Henry (Ten Mile, Tn) on 11/28/2009
JAN, cramps are usually caused due to the lack of electrolytes. Athletes are given Gator or Power ade to prevent this. It works for me and I'm not a jock.
Supplements
Posted by Deirdre ( LA)
★★★★★
My mother had been experiencing severe muscle cramps at night in her legs. Her toes too would sometimes go into excruciating spasms. She bought liquid calcium/magnesium and started taking it before going to bed. The cramps stopped right away. As long as she takes the supplement daily, she does not get the cramps.
Magnesium and Dill Pickle Every Day
Posted by Judith (Columbus IN)
★★★★★
Magnesium cured excrutiating leg cramps in mostly right leg & dill pickle relieved leg, feet, ankle cramps or "tightening" & big toe stiffening, not 'painful' exactly, but verrrrrrry uncomfortable. My podiatrist recommended Maginex magnesium supplement about 18 months ago & I have not had a BAD leg cramp since. The past several weeks, my left leg started tighening up, severely, every night, also with my big toe bending straight up & unmoveable until it decided to do it on it's own. I could not even bend it down with my hand. The tightening--that's the only way to describe it, was not nearly as bad as the cramps I use to get, but I was waking up 6-7 times a night with it & not much I could do to help it or get rid of it. My doctor suggested eating a dill pickle every day. She said she had heard it really worked & I was ready to try anything. Since the very first night after eating a Claussen dill pickle I have not had the near-cramping or tightening. A couple of times I have woke up & thought it was going to happen but I was able to "work it out" before it got very far. I have faith in the pickle juice!!
Magnesium and Dill Pickle Every Day
Posted by Sue (Phoenix, AZ)
★★★★★
Magnesium Malate is wonderful for leg cramps and muscle twitching. I take 3 in the AM. Left sided leg cramps can mean that calcium is needed. Right sided leg cramps are often an indicator that magnesium is low. But the very best all around leg cramp annihilator is a shot glass or two of dill pickle juice. If you get up in the midst of a cramp and drink this you will experience almost immediate relief and sleep through the night.
Magnesium and Dill Pickle Every Day
Posted by Azuresea (Singapore, , Singapore) on 05/30/2011
★★★★★
Magnesium does work. I found that out by accident when I took a cal-mag zinc supplement. Almost immediately, my cramps went away in a matter of hours. In fact, I suggest that one takes magnesium at least once a month as adequate amounts prevents body from absorbing other heavy metals like aluminium, lead, mercury etc.
http://www.mg12.info/articles/cramps.html
Magnesium and Dill Pickle Every Day
Posted by Kathryn4 (Maryland) on 04/05/2015
Sometimes it is necessary to take a low dose 50mg of magnesium every night for persistent muscle cramps. Too much can give diarrhea.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Ottelie (Ontario, Canada)
★★★★★
Apple Cider Vinegar cures muscle cramps almost instantly. Because Mom, age 88, is using this cure she needs to know, "What are the adverse affects of all the vinegar?" // Mom uses rather a strong potent. This makes it easy to sock it back, to hold a spasm at bay. // Lately, more doses of vinegar are needed for stronger, 'lurking' spasms in her weakened leg. // On another note, her need to gain weight is being stifled, not knowing why.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Viola (Hampton Bays, N.y.) on 03/31/2011
reply to David of Chicago, Ill. -- You tell a Doctor
Sea Salt
Posted by stephen (orlando, florida) on 06/09/2025
★★★★★
Leg Cramps
Hi, this may help. I was told buy a holistic healer, to use a pinch (couple grains) of celtic sea salt on the tongue, in the morning or when I have cramps. The glands in the mouth carry it fast into the blood stream. Let the salt dissolve on the tongue (mouth) do not chew. Peace!
Magnesium
Posted by Cris (Virginia ) on 12/17/2022
How much do you take? I bought it as well, and it was great the first couple of nights but last night I had one cramp after another.
ACV, Ginger, Garlic
Posted by Yves (QC) on 06/16/2023
what is the recipe for the heart, I've had 4 stems and an open heart surgery last year so anything that could help my condition is welcomed.
Thanks for your help!
Magnesium, Tonic Water
Posted by Rebecca (Kentucky) on 09/30/2020
★☆☆☆☆
Need a remedy for nighttime leg cramps. My husband taking Magnesium, taking Epsom salts baths & drinking tonic water, all to no avail.
Culinary Argan Oil
Posted by Anon (Not Canada) on 06/30/2020
How much vitamin E is in the oil?
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Faith (Alabama) on 04/05/2015
★☆☆☆☆
I have terrible leg cramps lately--they start at my shin. When I stand to work it out, it moves to my thigh. Then it spreads to my foot, curling it outward so badly that, if I stand, I am on the top of my foot. I have been using mag oil for the past 2 weeks, covering all my skin for 20 minutes 2x per day. Then I use more when it actually cramps. I also take potassium, about 300 mg per day. I use sea salt on my food, so I get that. Any other suggestions? I feel this all day long, ready to spasm if I flex my foot. Also, I walk about 2 miles + or - daily.
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Faith (Alabama) on 04/05/2015
★☆☆☆☆
I have terrible leg cramps lately--they start at my shin. When I stand to work it out, it moves to my thigh. Then it spreads to my foot, curling it outward so badly that, if I stand, I am on the top of my foot. I have been using mag oil for the past 2 weeks, covering all my skin for 20 minutes 2x per day. Then I use more when it actually cramps. I also take potassium, about 300 mg per day. I use sea salt on my food, so I get that. Any other suggestions? I feel this all day long, ready to spasm if I flex my foot. Also, I walk about 2 miles + or - daily.
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Steve (Nevada) on 04/05/2015
Sounds like you are on the right track. Sometimes energy healing or cold laser therapy can be very helpful with muscle cramp issues as well.
Magnesium
Posted by Mama To Many (Tennessee) on 12/02/2014
Dear Flipflap,
Thanks for sharing. That is fascinating! There is something new to learn every day.
~Mama to Many~
Magnesium
Posted by Diane (Ma., US) on 03/23/2015
Do you keep the Epsom salt spray on over night or do you wash it off after a period of time? Thank you.
Magnesium
Posted by Ruth (Ct.) on 07/27/2014
I have hepatitis c and peripheral neuropathy and have terrible calf cramps...I have been taking magnesium for my cramps and getting hives. Don't understand it. I've tried several types (Chloride-citrate etc.) of magnesium except the one that the woman in Hawaii sells. Her ad sound bogus to me....
Why would I have an allergy unless my magnesium level is full and adding to it causes the hives...Any suggestions or explanations. Thank you very much. I have hives everywhere and it's terrible. Even on the bottom of my feet.
Magnesium
Posted by Mmsg (Somewhere, Europe) on 07/28/2014
Ruth, have you tried Epsom Salt baths for getting magnesium?
Magnesium
Posted by Debra (Parma, Ohio) on 04/22/2015
Ruth, in regards to your hep c..i just finished 3 month treatment of olysio and sovaldi and am now CURED of hep c. If you haven't already..see your heptologist.. also, take 4 tsp yellow mustard and cramps in legs go away within 1 min. Take care
Potassium
Posted by Cindy (Usa) on 06/05/2014
I have had some blood work done and show low potassium level. how can I improve this and do I have to be concerned about then having some other vit/mineral being affected. I sometimes have leg cramps or Charlie horses mostly at night and also dizziness. thanks in advance
Multiple Remedies
Posted by May10777 (Tuscaloosa, Alabama) on 05/30/2014
★★★☆☆WORKED TEMPORARILY
I have suffered severe spasms for many years. The only thing that ever really helped me was Quinine which is not available anymore. My last scrip was in '04. There seems to be no answer to why I have them. My doctors say "some people just have them and some people don't." These are serious spasms where both feet and legs are sometimes affected alway up so cannot get up and walk it out. Or once I was driving and both hands drew up in knots at the same time. Scary, hurting so bad and trying to hold a steering wheel like that.
The Doctor recommended calcium years ago and at first it seemed to help. Next time I complained she said try Magnesium as you may have a shortage. Again it helped and I was able to sleep through the night. But not for long. I have used a teaspoon of yellow mustard, a little pickle juice, a little vinegar & honey and all these things will give some relief after a few minutes. But getting to them can be a problem and the safest & simplest thing I can do is keep water by my bedside! I have learned if I drink a glass of water right away it helps.
The bar of soap in bed did not work for me.
I have noted that when I run out of milk and don't drink milk I sleep through the night and don't have them. I read somewhere that milk actually leaches calcium out of bones and that may be what is happening. I can get more calcium eating collards greens without the cramps.
I have never heard of using Lobellia before but I will have to try it. I'm always on the look out for anything that helps.
Thank you and I wish everyone who has to deal with this find the right answer.
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Janet (Coventry, Uk) on 05/30/2014
Can you get Schweppes Bitter Lemon or Tonic where you are? They both contain small amounts of Quinine. I always have some in the cupboard and drink a tumbler of one of them when I get leg cramps.
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Dave (Fountain Inn, Sc) on 05/30/2014
To May 10777,
Re Quinine....
I did a Google search and found "Quinine" from a Canadian source.
Also when I get too much carb overload (especially sugar) in afternoon and evening I'm liable to have leg issues. For quick relief I take one third teaspoon of baking soda in a half glass of water and dissolve. Then I "pat" some of the liquid on my knees...twice on each knee cap. And then drink the rest. The aching I relate to metabolism issues, but somehow the dissolved baking soda gives instant relief.
Also, for a bad case, I'll triple up on my AEP (Calcium AEP).
For aching that involves the entire leg...that's a circulation problem. I use natural (NOT synthetic) vitamin E plus added magnesium. And a good soak every week in two cups of Epsom Salts in a tub of warm water is a great help. The key is the E. I take 1, 000 IUs daily. Start at 200 IUs and over months increase to at least 400.
If the aching is from a vein issue...I use Horse Chestnut in pill form. Three daily.
If the aching is due to onset MS, the AEP will work wonders. My mother kept mobile even though she had full blown MS for the last 15 years of her life. Whenever she had a "flare up" she'd take another 6 AEP tablets, and gone were the aches.
So...aching can be the result of a number of issues. Maybe a combo. But get off the sugar as a dietary help.
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Mmsg (Somewhere, Europe) on 06/01/2014
May10777, can you stay away from milk (and milk products)?
Magnesium
Posted by Linda (California) on 07/30/2016
Hi, will you let us know the brand that works best for you? You say you take a liquid magnesium and it works pretty fast on leg cramps. There are so many kinds it gets confusing. Thanks for a reply!
Magnesium
Posted by Michael (New Zealand) on 07/30/2016
To Linda,
My choice here in NZ is Magnesium Chloride LIQUID by "Clinicians" (that IS the brand name here in New Zealand). Maybe you can't get it in the USA but good luck with a substitute brand if available. "Clinicians" may send their products to you (I have no vested interest in any company-I just like what I know works for me) I wish you well. That one worked a treat for me. It's not often in life you get such quick results really. Apparently if you overdo the dosage it just "loosens you up" a bit!
Magnesium
Posted by Kenneth Paul (Santa Fe City, Tejas State) on 07/30/2016
Give magnesium ascorbate a try for you muscular cramps. It helped mine, and boosted my immune system also.
Apple Cider Vinegar and Baking Soda
Posted by Melissa (Oklahoma) on 11/18/2013
★★★★★
I take 2 Tblspns apple cider vinegar, 1/2 tsp.baking soda in about 6 ozs water and my leg cramps go away almost immediately!
