{"id":57122,"date":"2017-03-22T07:15:59","date_gmt":"2017-03-22T11:15:59","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/?p=57122"},"modified":"2017-03-29T01:41:49","modified_gmt":"2017-03-29T05:41:49","slug":"muscle-cramps-causes-treatment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/fitness\/muscle-cramps-causes-treatment\/","title":{"rendered":"What Will (and Won\u2019t) Help Muscle Cramps, According to Research"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Muscle
Photo: Twenty20<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Earlier this year I found myself lying face-down on the ground, both of my quads locked up and completely immobile. I was three events into a CrossFit<\/a> competition, and I had totally broken down.<\/p>\n

During the first event, I felt a foreboding twitch down the front of my legs and had been doing my best to keep muscle cramps at bay. Between rounds, I slammed coconut water<\/a>, ate magnesium<\/a> pills, and chowed down on bananas. But halfway into Event 3 (a mile-long run with a weighted vest), here I was, writhing on the pavement and waving away offers of help.<\/p>\n

This wasn\u2019t the first time it had happened, but I was determined to make it the last. So I reached out to one of the nation\u2019s top researchers on exercise-induced cramping, Kevin C. Miller, PhD., Professor at Central Michigan University, to see just what we can do to prevent and stop muscle cramps. Spoiler alert: You might want to stock up on pickle juice (but not for the reason you\u2019d think).<\/p>\n

RELATED:\u00a0<\/strong>12 Things I Wish I Knew Before I Started CrossFit<\/a><\/p>\n

Muscle Cramps: Understanding the Causes<\/h2>\n

Turns out, cramping is likely caused by changes in nervous system activity (e.g., increased excitability), rather than dehydration or electrolyte<\/a> losses. What excites the nervous system? Pick your poison.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy personal belief is that everyone has their own unique recipe for cramping,\u201d Miller says. \u201cI might need a certain level of fatigue in my muscle, a prior amount of muscle damage and a lack of sleep<\/a>, and I\u2019ll cramp.\u00a0If\u00a0I only have two of those factors,\u00a0I don\u2019t\u00a0cramp.\u00a0Your \u2018recipe\u2019 may be completely different than mine.\u201d<\/p>\n

To prevent cramping,\u00a0Miller recommends keeping a cramp diary. \u201cI tell people that whenever they get a cramp, write down as many things as you can\u00a0think of\u00a0that may have increased your risk of cramping.\u00a0Then, look for trends in your diary to identify your individual factors.\u00a0 Once you know your \u201crecipe for cramping,\u201d you can target those factors with interventions.\u201d<\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/strong>No Pain, No Gain? 5 Myths About Muscle Soreness<\/a><\/p>\n

Here are some potential triggers to consider when you write in your cramping diary:<\/p>\n