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.
Magnesium Phosphate
Posted by Val (Pittsburg, Pa) on 06/02/2012
★★★★★
The mag phos cell salt also helps me with the spasms I have. The muscles can cramp at anytime of the day. I learned about mag phos from a naturalist. I also use the Apple Cider Vinegar and honey for severe cramps using both has helped greatly.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Ronnie (Oak Island, North Carolina) on 07/07/2011
★★★★★
For leg cramps or back cramps apple cider vinegar will eliminate them within seconds, almost imediately
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Tessa (Okanagan) on 05/17/2024
Hi Misty -
I think Timh may be referring to ConcenTrace Minerals.
https://www.traceminerals.com/products/concentrace-trace-mineral-drops-8-oz
I've been using it for many years to remineralize my distilled water.
You can get it at health food stores, water supply stores that sell jugs of distilled water, Walmart used to (don't know if they still do), online, etc.
Cheers,
Tessa
Salt
Posted by Francisca (Michelbach-le-bas, Alsace, France) on 06/07/2011
Eating bananas and magnesium or magnesium chloride help well with cramps!
Salt
Posted by Andy (London) on 02/12/2017
Correct; Sodium is an electrolyte.
An additional side note: Magnesium is important for a myriad of processes in the body; muscle cramps are resolved with an adequate amount of bioavailable Magnesium.
Hydrogen Peroxide Topically
Posted by Nattakit (Bangkok, Thailand) on 02/26/2011
★★★★★
I woke up one night with a terrible muscle cramp at my calf. The muscle was hard as stone and caused a dreadful pain. I could only think of a small atomiser filled with H2O2 for my inhalation. I then sprayed over my calf within seconds the pain was gone and with some rubbing, the muscle was soft and the next morning I walked without any pain or stiffnes in the muscle. I used 3% H2O2. This works well in my other time.
Bar of Soap
Posted by Traveler (Santa Barbara, Ca, Usa) on 04/29/2010
★★★☆☆WORKED TEMPORARILY
I found on the peoples' pharmacy website a recommendation for using soap for restless leg syndrome. I think any soap works well, though you could google search people's stories. All I know is that I recommended it to my father, and while it didn't work for his restless legs at night, it DID work on his leg cramps for around two months. After that, the effect, sadly, wore off. For those who want to try, just put a bar of soap (doesn't have to be expensive, I remember people writing about trying it with the little hotel soaps) under the sheets near your legs or even touching. If you start to feel a cramp coming on, put the leg into contact with the soap. My father saw results within three days. Unfortunately, it didn't last-- but it was nice to know that it worked for at least two months for him.
Bar of Soap
Posted by Mtnwindsong (Lubbock, Tx) on 08/28/2010
Change to new bar of soap when it quits working. I can taste soap when I drink water first thing in the morning so I think something in the soap is going into your body.
Epsom Salt
Posted by Francisca (Michelbach-le-bas, Alsace, France) on 03/27/2010
I just eat bananas.... we can't buy Epsom salts here in France. I have also looked in Germany and Switzerland (we live next door to them, quite practical) but they only sell them in small quantities for constipation so I never tried them. Bananas have helped me well all my life! I don't have the time to search now as we a leaving on a trip but there are vegetables that are also very rich on potassium.
Vitamin E, Calcium, Magnesium
Posted by Peggy Conrad (Sacramento, Kentucky) on 08/12/2009
★★★★★
After suffering terribly for years with muscle cramps everywhere ex: calves of my legs, bottoms of my feet, back, and neck. I finally discovered that Vit E 400IU, 1000mg calcium, and 1200mg of magnesuium daily, was my answer. Said it could take up to two weeks to start working, however, for me, it worked the very first night. This has worked for me for about eight years now. I have been able to cut back on magnesium to about 500mgs. a day now.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Connie (Manitowoc, Wisconsin, USA) on 08/13/2009
Try mixing the vinegar in some apple juice or tomato/vegetable juice.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Dave (Friend, Ne) on 06/17/2015
ACV is actually easy to drink, easy to get used to. But everyone is different. Just keep reading posts on this great site!
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Tess (Palm Beach, FL) on 02/12/2009
Hi Shelagh, not sure this will be of any help, but I found this while searching under Vitamin D3 cures:
http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec01/ch004/ch004k.html
"Symptoms and Signs:
Vitamin D deficiency can cause muscle aches, muscle weakness, and bone pain at any age."
There may be other vitamin or mineral deficiencies which can also cause intense muscle pain. I will keep looking.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Robert (Barnegat, NJ, USA) on 01/11/2009
★★★★★
I take 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar dilluted with 4oz. water for leg cramps at nite. Works very well! I used to get leg cramps 3 or 4 times at nite, no more since I've been drinking dilluted APC.
Baking Soda
Posted by Barbara (Austin, Texas) on 10/27/2008
★★★★★
I just started using ACV as a mouthwash and it seemed to clear out my sinuses and stopped my tooth from hurting. I gargle with it and no sore throats. Allergy symptoms gone. So far so good. On baking soda, it is high in sodium so I dont think taking it on a regular basis is a good idea. If I get leg cramps and cannot sleep and have to walk it out, I put a pinch of baking soda in water and drink it and it does immediately relieve the cramps. Cramps due to acidity. ACV is an antiseptic. I also use ACV as a tone on my face just dab it on and it makes y our skiin feels so clean. I dont use it on my face everyday just a coupld of times a week.
Vinegar
Posted by David (Los Angeles, California) on 09/01/2008
★★★★★
re: vinegar for night lower leg cramps... It doesn't matter what kind of vinegar you use. Mustard works if you use the kind that contains vinegar. I mix an ounce (approx) of wine vinegar (it's in the cupboard) with some water and drink. I don't measure. Cramps go away in 15 seconds.
Manganese
Posted by Larry (Valencia, California) on 06/19/2008
I have suffered cramps of feet, legs, hands and side for years. I have tried many natural remedies with some limited success. It was recommended that I try a powder mixture called Natural CALM, a mangonese supplement that you drink like a tea. This 'tea', which I added a regular tea bag to for flavor, immediately relieved my cramps. When I started taking 1 1/2 teaspoons morning and night, my irregular heartbeat (Atrial Fitrilation) went away! Wow! This is great! You can find it at your vitamin or healthfood store.
Manganese
Posted by Harriet (Federal Way, Wa) on 08/05/2009
Natural Calm is MAGNESIUM, N O T Manganese. I know. I've used it for years. Dissolves in hot water.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Jamal (Phoenix, AZ) on 02/10/2008
★★★★★
I just tried the Apple Cider Vinegar and glass of hot water. I had overdone a workout and hadn't stretched. My quads and calves were cramping up really bad. (really painful). It really worked! It worked almost immiediately, I couldn't beleive it! I'm still sore, but that's an easy alternative to constant cramping. Thanks!!
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Marsh57 (Colorado) on 07/21/2020
I was having foot cramps and heart palpitations. Saw a cardiologist and all was well. She recommended a good magnesium supplement, a banana and Himalayan salt. Didn't have either for 8 years.
The foot and leg cramps are returning. Not sure if it's because I'm back at the gym but will double up on the mag and start with ACV.
Wear Socks to Bed
Posted by Doris (Hamilton, AL) on 12/31/2007
★★★★★
WEAR SOCKS TO BED WILL HELP WITH LEG CRAMPS.
Magnesium Phosphate
Posted by Marinette (Cleveland, USA) on 11/01/2007
★★★★★
This is in response to a post by Irene from Hermosa about muscle cramps. I also wake up with cramps in my legs or feet, and find that this usually happens if I have been taking a supplement that has some Calcium in it. Foods that have Calcium in them don't have this negative effect on me. When I get a muscle cramp I take the cell salt Mag. Phos. in the 6X potency, and within seconds the muscle that is cramping will relax. Because cell salts dissolve on your tongue and do not have to be digested, they go directly into the bloodstream and act immediately. This is a great remedy for muscle cramping and also helps with indigestion.
Epsom Salt
Posted by Terri (Richmond , VA) on 10/15/2007
★★★★★
Recently my husband & I moved. Both of us are in our 50's. We were both taken by surprise at our aching muscles from the move as we are fairly active people. We didn't wish to take anything over the counter for our pain. Our Chiropractor recommended getting Epsom Salts (magnesium) to place into a tub of hot water to soak in. The directions were on the outside of the package. Place two cups into bath water and soak your body. I added a few drops of Pure Essential Oil, Lavendar to the bath as I needed a good nights rest. We slept like babies, totally pain free. We would recommend this highly to anyone able to get in and out of a tub. We repeated it nightly for several nights until the soreness had totally faded.
DMSO
Posted by Janice (Ocean, NJ) on 06/19/2007
★★★★★
I pulled a muscle in the upper middle back and could not turn my head full left or right. I rubbed in DMSO, & soon after, the pain was gone. It lasted the whole day, but I did have to reapply at night & then the next day. After about 4 days , the pain was completely gone! This is an amazing site--my new bible---thank you for everything!
DMSO
Posted by Fuzzball (Nanuet, Ny, Usa) on 02/01/2012
Dmso is great for many things, including helping to turn cancer cells into good cells, but it stinks to high heaven. If you plan to use this remedy, wait about an hour then wash yourself. You can get this at most pet stores. Make sure it's 70% dmso, 30% distilled water.
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?)
