The Causes of Foot Cramps
Muscle cramps tend to pop up at the most inopportune moments, either during exercise or you may be visited by a sudden foot cramp that wakes you up in the middle of the night. You don’t have to be a victim of foot cramps since there are a variety of causes that can easily be addressed.
What causes foot cramping?
A cramp is the contraction of a muscle that causes pain and the effects are often severe enough to interrupt your daily activities.
It isn’t always obvious what is causing a cramp, so here are some of the likely culprits:
· Improper hydration—When your muscles are dehydrated, they don’t function properly and are therefore more susceptible to cramping. Consume at least eight glasses of water or other healthy liquids every day, and drink more during exercise or other strenuous activities.
· Not stretching before exercising—Muscles become stiff during rest and need to be stretching prior to exercising to help avoid cramping, so always incorporate a stretching routine before and after exercising.
· Exercising too much—Trying to do too much too fast can also lead to cramping, so always increase your exercise program gradually to avoid cramping — and other injuries like tendonitis — from over stressing of the muscles, ligaments, tissues, and tendons.
· Poor nutrition—The correct electrolyte balance of sodium, potassium, magnesium and calcium are essential for proper muscle functioning.
· Poorly fitting footwear—One of the most important things to consider for helping to avoid foot cramps and other foot and ankle problems is to wear properly fitted shoes with good arch support, cushioning, and orthotic inserts to correct gait abnormalities.
Although foot cramps are usually not serious, if you are experiencing foot cramping that won’t subside, we highly recommend that you consult our board certified podiatrists Andrew Shapiro, DPM and Michael Barkin, DPM. With access to advanced technologies, along with years of experience to help diagnose and treat a variety of foot and ankle problems, we can assist you with heel pain, ankle sprains, diabetic foot care, toe deformities, nail fungus, and skin problems, among many other conditions. Our practice is conveniently located on West Merrick Road in Valley Stream to accommodate all of your foot care needs. Call (516) 825-3860 or book an appointment online today!