Muscle cramps are sudden, involuntary contractions or spasms in one or more muscles.
It is a very common muscular problem. Although usually harmless, muscle cramps can temporarily make it impossible to use the affected muscle.
Nutrient deficiency cramps originate because there is an electrolyte imbalance that may be due to excessive loss of electrolytes, for example in sweating, or because certain vitamins that strengthen and maintain muscle structure are missing.
The main minerals involved in the development of a cramp are Magnesium, Calcium and the balance between potassium / Sodium. As for the latter, when there is (hypokalemia (lack of potassium), an involuntary contraction of the muscles occurs and painful cramps occur here.
Food rich in these minerals include; Spinach, Butternut Squash and Bananas
Sometimes deficiencies in these minerals can be symptoms of a deeper imbalance and for this, traditional Chinese medicine use diagnostic techniques through the pulse, the tongue, etc. to carry out a more exhaustive evaluation and identify the cause that originates this symptom. This is of crucial importance since if we do not identify the cause we will never end the symptoms.
For example, if the person is suffering from chronic stress, perhaps the adrenal glands are exhausted and in Chinese Medicine this system is balanced with Acupuncture, Moxibustion, Vitamin D3 supplements along with other supplements and vitamins that help its activation and assimilation. Everything will depend on the root cause that the person suffers. We also recommend supplementation with B Vitamins to assist with persistent muscle cramps.
To summarize, muscle cramps can improve with foods or natural supplements rich in Magnesium, Potassium, Sodium, and Calcium, which relax the muscles, but the root that has caused the symptom must be treated and for this, Chinese Medicine has very useful tools and powerful and effective treatments.
Mar De la Cruz
Licensed Acupuncturist
