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.
Buffered Salt
Posted by Jo Anne (Clearwater, FL)
★★★★★
Living in Florida, the heat can be harsh on one who works outside in it. My husband had been having severe muscle cramps and low energy. Our pharmacist recommended a salt supplement called Thermotabs (a buffered salt supplement). After taking this daily, he has no muscle cramps and also has a higher energy level. Hope this works for you too. Take as directed on the bottle.
Buffered Salt
Posted by Jan (Mesquite, Nv) on 11/26/2009
My husband also had a very bad problem with leg cramps, especially in the evening. I found a bottle of buffered salt supplements I had purchased and started giving them to him. Rarely does he get a cramp anymore, unless he forgets to take the buffered salt tablets daily. I just wonder if it's good for his blood pressure, but don't know who to ask.
Pickle Juice
Posted by Pamm (Alabaster, Alabama) on 05/23/2009
The reason Pickle Juice Works is because of the Sodium content in it. One of the reasons we get muscle cramps in our legs and feet is because we are lacking sodium in our diet rather it be from sweating or diarrhea or addison's disease or urinating a lot or etc.. I have a problem with low sodium & I noticed I would have muscle spasms or cramps all over. As soon as I eat saltine crackers or peanuts they would go away within minutes. So its great that pickle juice works but its because of the sodium in it not the pickle juice itself. So for people out there that doesn't like pickle juice try anything with high content of sodium next time you have muscle spasms. And also try anything with potassium in it too. Good Luck!
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Ellensue (Denver, Colorado U.s.) on 08/20/2013
★★★★★
Leg cramps getting worse over the last week, and very painful aching yesterday. So, I ended up here and with great hope and some skepticism I drank 2 Tblsp ACV with Mother in a cup of hot water and the relief was immediate! Aching was in both legs... I'm guessing it was drinking more coffee than usual? The pain is not worth it! ACV does hurt my teeth... I sprinkled in some baking soda this morning and that helped to buffer it. I brushed my teeth right after as well. Any other suggestions appreciated. I encourage you to try this if you feel even a twinge. I wish I had looked for it and implemented it a week ago. Many blessings to all!
Magnesium
Posted by Jeff G (Daytona, FL, USA) on 03/22/2025
★★★★☆
For me, rubbing Magnesium Chloride solution directly on the cramp area worked pretty well. Next time I will mix with ACV after reading user posts... Probably a pretty good combo. After reading through the posts, I noticed one person mentioned they got relief after stopping taking proanthocyanidins like grapeseed extract. I've been taking that recently and I got cramps. That binds divalent cations including:
- Magnesium (Mg2+),
- Calcium (Ca2+),
- Zinc (Zn2+),
- Copper (Cu2+),
- Manganese (Mn2+),
- Cobalt (Co2+),
- Nickel (Ni2+),
-- perhaps after taking one of these supplements, one should re-up on some electrolytes, especially ones in this set, or eat some pumpkin seeds + shilajit. I would imagine BSM would be very helpful.
Argan Oil
Posted by Irina (New York, NY) on 07/19/2023
★★★★★
Culinary Argan Oil for frozen shoulder and muscle spasms
A few years ago, I suffered from terrible muscle spasms for several months. I started taking 1 teaspoon of culinary argan oil coincidentally during this time and about 2 weeks after taking it, the spasms completely went away. I suggested it to 2 other people I know who also had muscle spasms and after they took argan oil, their symptoms disappeared as well - they both took the recommended 1 tablespoon a day. A few years later, I woke up randomly with a frozen shoulder, and after suffering from it for several months, I thought to take argan oil for it, and again, within 2-3 weeks, my frozen shoulder stiffness and pain dramatically decreased - I'm about 90-95% healed now and I continue to take 1 teaspoon of argan oil a day - make sure it's the culinary form, not the topical form. I've taken both argan oil from Israel and from Morocco and they've both worked, but you have to be careful to use a reputable brand that's organic.
Nattokinase
Posted by Deborah (MI) on 02/27/2022
★★★★★
I wanted to add my wonderful experience using Nattokinase I ordered off Amazon. I had a horrid knot in my left calf for three straight months. I thought it was a spasm but it never went away no matter what I tried. I think it was a clot. Took the Nattokinase and after 3 days the pain was totally gone. Took two 800mg capsules per directions on the label. So happy I tried this.
Multiple Remedies
Posted by John (CA) on 02/06/2022
★★★★☆
I am not reporting on the use of Acupressure but to state that after reading through all the remedies that produce results seem to have one common denominator. This is to divert the mind from acknowledging the cramp if only for a very short time. From pinching the upper lip, pressing between the toes to the point of being uncomfortable to eating a good dose of yellow mustard the result is the same. The mind's attention is diverted just enough to break the horrible feedback loop that keeps the cramp going. I get cramps very often and what works for as a male is to get up and urinate. That sensation is usually enough to knock the cramping muscle out of the cycle. This is also true of drinking pickle juice; a strong enough taste to distract your mind. The one solution I have a hard time fitting into this hypotheses is the use of a bar of soap under your fitted sheet. Placed down near the calves it is supposed to relieve nightly cramps. This did produce about a month and a half of blissful, cramp free sleep. But it seems to have lost its effectiveness. Too bad really. I thought I had finally found a solution to this issue.
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Suzanne (IN) on 02/10/2022
Have you tried magnesium? Magnesium is usually what a body needs if it is cramping and has always worked for me and fast.
Turmeric and Olive Oil
Posted by Constance (Columbia, SC) on 03/19/2021
★★★★★
Tumeric and Olive Oil mixed and applied to muscle spasms works.
I have found great relief for various body ailments on earth clinic and they really did help me. Thanks so much!
B6
Posted by GertJr (Madison) on 02/24/2021
Thanks for the recommendation to take B6 for leg/feet cramping. Mine cramp so bad a night and I have to get up and walk around. It's like a metal bar along my calf sometimes, hard as a rock and so very painful. I am not dehydrated and get plenty of magnesium/potassium.
Those 3 things have been recommended, and mag oil, too, but don't solve the problem. I've recently started a new brand of multivitamin, so we'll see if that helps, too. But I have B6 on hand and will give it a try.
Magnesium, Tonic Water
Posted by Gertjr (Madison) on 10/02/2020
Is he taking anything? When I took statins, the leg cramps were horrific. Nothing would make them stop and then I'd be sore for days. I took statins for 3 days and I think this triggered my ongoing cramping. Not so bad anymore, years later, but still the same spot. I think it's damage. Just a thought. Good luck. I, too, tried magnesium and all sorts of things to no avail. What did help me was a heating pad wrapped around the cramping site.
Vitamin B-6
Posted by Heidi H. (United States) on 10/12/2019
★★★★★
Muscle cramps stop immediately with vitamin B6. I suffered for years, horrible pain. I am so glad that someone told me to try vitamin B6. I buy it at a big box store because it's cheap there and I have it always with me..
Simple Exercises
Posted by Mary Beth (Pittsburgh) on 09/20/2019
★★★★☆
Leg Cramp Reliever I have been impressed that this works for leg and feet cramps. I saw this guide in Peggy Brill's book, "The Core Program". She suggests you do these exercises -- all of them -- ten times, before you go to bed. Lie on your back with legs flat, keeping your hands at your sides, palms up. Retract your neck: elongate the back of your neck by tucking your chin down towards your chest. Hold this, holding for six seconds, and then release it. Next, press your shoulders together and down into the mat or bed. Hold and count for six seconds -- and then release. Next, cough to pull your rib cage down. This will contract your abdominal muscles. Hold for six and then release it. Next, tilt your pubic bone, as if toward your navel. Thus, you will flatten your abdominals into the mat or bed. Hold for six and release it. Final exercise (in this set -- because you will do these ten times) -- extend your legs as long as possible while also pressing the backs of the knees into the bed or mat. Flex your feet at the same time. Hold for six and release it. People (like my mom) have serious problems with this pain in the middle of the night. This JUST might HELP!
Acupressure
Posted by Natalia (Mexico) on 12/18/2022
★★★★★
It works for me, too! 4 days in a row. I'm such a skeptic, still wondering if it's my imagination that a cramp is coming on…, but I'll keep doing this, what a simple solution.
Magnesium
Posted by Grace (Camp) on 09/26/2017
★☆☆☆☆
I soak in epsom salts, apply mag oil, take a mag tablet daily, add potassium with my supplements, etc and still have leg cramps. No prescription meds to cause it. What else can I try?
Tonic Water with Quinine
Posted by Fran (01247) on 09/08/2016
★★★★★
For leg cramps, I use 1 glass of tonic water each evening! it must have QUININE as an ingredient. Polar and Schweppes, have natural quinine! I am sure other brands must have it but, some don't !!
Tonic Water with Quinine
Posted by Timothy (CA) on 04/03/2023
★★★★★
It works, keep a small bottle next to my bed and if wake up with cramps, I drink some.
Have been using for over 4 years (DR's advice). Recently flew to Europe with my wife from SFO, developed bad hand cramps. Got Quinine/Tonic water from the stewardess and it helped but relief did not last. I take (2) Shaklee OsteoMatrix daily contains 1,000 mg calcium carbonate and 40 mg Magnesum. Has anyone try Quinine supplements?
Milk of Magnesia
Posted by Erica (La Jolla, California) on 06/26/2016
★★★★★
The instant and best remedy for us has been to
apply milk of magnesium on the calf or wherever the cramp is.
One time while in Hawaii on vacation, I got this horrible cramp after being in a hot pool. I used to use magnesium oil at home applied generously and rubbed in the muscle at home. Since the only magnesium in liquid form found in a grocery store by the hotel was the milk of magnesium we tried it and it worked great just like the magnesium oil. Now when ever we travel we take it along just in case. This is our insurance.
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Paulette (Celina, Tx.) on 04/05/2015
Also, try a spoon of yellow mustard. And put a bar of soap {I use Cares} under the bottom sheet on your bed down by your legs. I read about this in the newspaper and it works. Hope it works for you.
Magnesium
Posted by Ruth (Ct., US) on 07/29/2014
Hi Dave, Thank you for your reply. I'm quite sure my neuropathy was caused by the antibiotic Cipro. I was talked into taking 2 doses in a row from food poisoning from a restaurant. Lost 20 pounds in 20 days...Then about 1 month later I came down with SEVERE neuropathy. There must be a protocol for reversing neuropathy caused by cipro but I can't find one...I have been taking many, many supplements for neuropathy...
I have also tried BHT but can't take it...Am waiting to get approved for Sovaldi which has been curing over 90% of people with genotype 1a hepatitis c.
Is 2 amino ethyl phosphoric acid the same as Calcium AEP? I have a bottle of Calcium AEP and started to take it and it seemed like my neuropathy got worse...I stopped taking it then tried it again in a month and the same thing happened...
I have been getting phlebotomies once a month-1 pint and my enzymes are going down- one is 56 and the other is 113...I guess getting the iron out of my liver effects the enzymes...
My hives started the next day after I took magnesium...I stopped taking it and they went away...About 10 days later I took magnesium again and the same thing happened...I have tried several types of magnesium and the same thing happens...
Thanks again for your feedback. There is an answer out there.
Potassium
Posted by Bill (San Fernando, Philippines) on 06/05/2014
Hi Cindy...I would start supplementing both magnesium and potassium for your cramp problems. Start supplementing potassium gluconate(100 mgs three times a day with food) and magnesium citrate (250 mgs twice a day). Or you can buy the Magnesium Oil (which is a saturated solution of magnesium chloride) and just rub that on the skin over the cramping areas at night. Magnesium oil gets rapidly absorbed transdermally from the skin into the blood. You can also take magnesium oil orally -- 10 drops, twice a day, in a glass of water with food. I normally take high doses of magnesium -- over 1000 mgs per day -- and the body usually has no problems getting rid of magnesium unless you specifically have kidney problems.
Perhaps you should also eat more potassium rich foods like dark green leafy veg, baked potato, beans, avocados, plain yogurt, mushrooms and bananas.
Your dizziness might be a blood flow problem in the brain. I had dizziness and cramps when I had systemic candida. I also had racing heart problems. I found that using Ted's alkalizing remedies, supplementing iodine and supplementing Magnesium Chloride cured all those problems.
I would therefore also advise that you supplement a strong liquid kelp extract. The iodine in the kelp will help fix any low thyroid problems that you may have and kelp also contains a huge and beneificial array of minerals that will also help you as well.
It might also benefit you to also take niacin in the form of slow release niacin (like Inositol hexanicotinate). Take two 1500 mgs doses (morning and evening) with food per day. You will not get the niacin flush using this form of slow release niacin. The niacin will help to change and thin the blood safely -- allowing better blood flow to the brain so that there can be no cause or reason for your dizziness. You should also always take B50 complex(once a day at breakfast) and vitamin C (1000 mgs three times per day) together with the niacin for best effect.
Tonic Water with Quinine
Posted by Bob A (Tucson, Az, Usa) on 09/22/2013
★★★★★
My mother (now 90 yo) said that HER mother told her that night-time muscle cramps are easily dealt with by an 8-oz glass of Quinine Water (also known as Tonic Water at the grocery or liquor store) just before bed. I do this whenever I have leg muscle aches and I sleep like a baby. Works much better than aspirin or ibuprophen. Tonic water contains a small amount of quinine, which is incidentally the main worldwide treatment for malaria for the past 100+ years.
Point Toes To Nose
Posted by Merrin (Mundaring, Western Australia) on 04/30/2013
Interesting! I started getting leg cramps when pregnant. Local goat dairy owner and midwife gave me raw goats milk throughout two pregnancies. This cured my leg cramps. She told of her 90 year old aunt who experienced leg cramps when on holiday as only cows milk was available. On returning to the goat dairy and beautiful raw goats milk, her leg cramps ceased. Pointing toes to nose seems so much easier.
Point Toes To Nose
Posted by Peter (Pontypridd, Rhondda Cynon Taff) on 05/05/2013
When we used to get these leg cramps we would instantly start streching the leg by pointing the toes away from the body, this would never work because you're not doing anything, try it now and point your toes hard to your nose, feel that, well I do that every now and then and I have not had leg cramps in over 10 years, taking meds for it is insane.
Quinine Water
Posted by Linda (Roscommon, Mi) on 02/12/2013
My Mom had bad leg cramping at night and her doctor told her to drink quinine water before bed.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Laura (Florida) on 10/16/2020
Thank you for letting me know about just putting apple cider vinegar on the muscle itself. I have a severe shoulder spasm so I just tried that. I also tried drinking it but the taste is pretty repulsive to me and I started coughing and had a sneezing attack afterwards! I'm hoping this works. Thank you so much for the advice!
Potassium
Posted by Vera (Beulah, Co) on 01/03/2013
★★★★★
I suffered Charley horse something awful. It would wake me at night, screaming. Getting out of bed and putting weight on the foot/leg in question would help break the spasm. But I did not discover a cure until I was at a holistic clinic. I asked them if it's lack of calcium. They tested me, and said I had plenty.
They put me on liquid potassium, drink slowly with food. There is a prescription for it. Now, if I experience just a smidgen of it again, I take some potassium for a few days, and I am blessedly free of the agony. Never again. My neighbor tried it too, and she's not had a problem since. :-)
Magnesium
Posted by Ian (Oldham, United Kingdom) on 08/07/2012
★★★★★
i have recently been experimenting with magnesium chloride liquid which I rub in my legs after and during long bicycle rides, it seems to be working well. I put in a spray bottle, its cheap and effective and is absorbed well into the body as a good source of magnesium. Yesterday I did a cycle route with 15miles uphill, in the past ive had to stop due to debiliating cramps, yesterday did it no cramps, took the bottle with me and occasionally stopped and sprayed some on the legs.
Blackstrap Molasses
Posted by Frances (Los Angeles, California) on 08/27/2012
hello mama with 5yr old with LS. Ive done all of the above, steroid creams havent helped me either and they ultimately thin the skin. I too have thyroid and hormone problems which are autoimmune diseases that some think are associated. I find that sugar is inflammatory so avoiding that helps, also eating less carbs and more plants as part of a good diet. Also I take gabapentin which has been a godsent for the itching. It works on a neurological level and works way better than any antihistamines ive tried. Just ask your doctor if its ok for kids. As for the flare ups and redness, I still have that battle. The cold compresses and cold baths with baking soda, epson salt sometimes helps. I often just put cold water on the area periodically as well. Calmoseptine helps on the anal area too and acts as a good barrier. For the vaginal area zinc oxide and aquafor are excellent. Try not to use underwear when you can. And always cotton underwear. I also use lidocaine on the area to numb it for periods of time. Hopefully you are seeing a dermatologist as well fo more options. Im a rare young case as well, not as young as your daughter, I pray she is one of the children that grows out of this. Ive also seen some promising research with regard to stem cells and regenerating the skin in the area. Ive heard great results, ill keep you posted. Having it done next month. I hope my suggestions help, your daughters story really touched my heart.
