Thread: charlie horse!

just I stepped onstage last night, I got the worst charlie horse of my life. AUGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH the pain.... It was so weird, I have only had them a couple of times before in my life and that was in my sleep. I had to do my entire set like that.

Since I didn;t have a way to stretch it out it is still hurting today.
I think a good hot soak is in order. Any other tips??

Also, what causes a charlie horse? could it be because I was wearing high heels? Or do they just strike randomly for no reason?

The most common reason for a Charlie Horse Cramp is low levels of potassium or calcium. Best was to treat is with stretching and mild massage.

This is what wikipedia says about charlie horses, both the cramps and the other type.

[ame=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charley_horse]Charley horse - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia[/ame]

But hey, it's a great excuse for a long, hot soak!

{{{HUGS}}}

Hey Zari! I was getting random, painful calf cramps for a while last year. Like yours, my calf would be sore for days afterward. Awful. I started eating bananas and yams more regularly, both of which are semi-high in potassium. So far it seems to have worked, I have not had a charlie horse all year (knock wood).

I am not medically trained in any way, of course. :) Just something to try before you see a pro.

A banana a day and or calcium pills will help with those. Massage is good to relieve it. Lack of potassium could be one of the causes of it.

massage. yah, that's the ticket. I avoid potassium because of my slow heartbeat though. I'd rather have a mucle cramp then have to be functional at 44 bpm.

I've heard that you should immediately reach down and pull back on the toes of the foot of the leg that is cramping to release the tension in the calf muscles, and it's worked for me!

I thought this message was about my horse who's name is Charlie.

Zazoo!!! Haven't seen you online in ages, I miss you like hell --

Originally Posted by zaheea

I thought this message was about my horse who's name is Charlie.

Well don't let that stop you from posting a photo of him. All's fair in threadjacking when it comes to ponies.

Originally Posted by Tourbeau

I've heard that you should immediately reach down and pull back on the toes of the foot of the leg that is cramping to release the tension in the calf muscles, and it's worked for me!

^^ yup this is the best thing.

I find I get them when it is winter....and then I'll get a run of them for a few months and then they'll go as quickly as they arrived.

The worst was once when I was donating blood. I got down off the bed which was far too high for a shorty like me and, because I had to point my toes slightly to reach the floor, it set BOTH my legs off at the same time...I yelped and the main guy there came to help and he pushed my toes back for me but it seemed to take an age before the pain stopped

Originally Posted by lotus

just I stepped onstage last night, I got the worst charlie horse of my life. AUGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH the pain.... It was so weird, I have only had them a couple of times before in my life and that was in my sleep. I had to do my entire set like that.

Since I didn;t have a way to stretch it out it is still hurting today.
I think a good hot soak is in order. Any other tips??

I always wondered what a Charlie Horse was. I'd read about the phenomenon in Stephen King books but being a Brit, never knew exactly what it was. And what exactly is Poison Oak? That's another thing we don't have over here. Aah, the great divide. I love that you guys call a woman's bum her fanny. Over here that means a lady's front bottom.

Avocados have more potassium than bananas...

Make sure to stretch your calf muscles before you dance. Also a short warm up helps. I've found that standing on a stair stretches out calf muscles beautifully. also when stretching, try to make it a prolonged stretch of the muscles instead of the unfortunately very popular bouncing. bouncing usually only tenses up already pained muscles.

also, i had a charlie horse during a show once too. i tried to incorporate the stretch into my routine. snake arms while going down to the floor was the move but it was done simply to stretch out the calf muscles. also, for some reason stamping the achy foot on the ground, hard like twice always seemed to work for me.

p.s. good advice on the calcium and potassium. thanks

Originally Posted by kharis_UK

I always wondered what a Charlie Horse was. I'd read about the phenomenon in Stephen King books but being a Brit, never knew exactly what it was. And what exactly is Poison Oak? That's another thing we don't have over here. Aah, the great divide. I love that you guys call a woman's bum her fanny. Over here that means a lady's front bottom.

GB Shaw said it best: America and Great Britain, two countries divided by one language. Charlie Horse is a cramp generally in the calf muscles. It hurts like no bodies business and can last up to a min with lingering effects for days. I get them in my feet after having spent a full day in heels and having to drive. It's a pointy tow thing.

{{{HUGS}}}

Originally Posted by andalee-oriental

Avocados have more potassium than bananas...

This I can get on board for. 1) I have a good friend who is an Avocado farmer, and 2) they are also good for your skin, nails and hair.

Not to mention that they are really yummy!

(How difficult is it to get avocados in the UK?)

{{{HUGS}}}

I used to have charlie horse spasms in my calves during the summer. I tried potassium and calcium, nothing worked. Turns out it was the flip-flop (thongs) shoes that I was wearing. They didn't provide the right amount of support. Now I limit wearing them to every now and then.

Originally Posted by andalee-oriental

Avocados have more potassium than bananas...

Another great reason for fresh guacamole!! Woo hoo!

Originally Posted by tahiradancer

GB Shaw said it best: America and Great Britain, two countries divided by one language. Charlie Horse is a cramp generally in the calf muscles. It hurts like no bodies business and can last up to a min with lingering effects for days. I get them in my feet after having spent a full day in heels and having to drive. It's a pointy tow thing.

{{{HUGS}}}

What does being 'goosed' mean? That's another expression SK uses a lot.

Originally Posted by Tourbeau

I've heard that you should immediately reach down and pull back on the toes of the foot of the leg that is cramping to release the tension in the calf muscles, and it's worked for me!

Yup, this definately works

Originally Posted by kharis_UK

What does being 'goosed' mean? That's another expression SK uses a lot.

Being pinched on the bumm.

Maybe we should start a thread off topic on American / British colloquialism?

{{HUGS}}}

Originally Posted by tahiradancer

Being pinched on the bumm.

Maybe we should start a thread off topic on American / British colloquialism?

{{HUGS}}}

I thought so... just checking.

Glad I came upon this post. I have been having the same issues. I have been getting cramps in calves as well as in my knees. I think I need more potassium.