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Leg cramps after cold day in bush, anyone?

L

Loosearrow

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Apr 14, 2008
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1,810
After being in the cold for most of the day hunting, I have been developing severe leg cramps. As soon as I start to warm up, the larger thigh muscles knot up badly. When both of them lock up, I'm in big trouble. Anyone else experience this problem and what do you do to correct it. I read once that some coach gave his men mustard to eat to help with this problem. Maybe it's the vinegar. I can't imagine having cramps like this when the chips were down and you needed to get out of somewhere. I can see tearing a muscle. Thanks.
 
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My main problem is with my calves but sometimes also hamstrings. For me, good hydration and a balanced diet (correct vitamins & minerals) really help prevent cramping. If I start to sense cramping, I take it easy for a bit and do a little stretching.

DancesWithKnives
 
Potassuim and to reduce the cramp put the muscle in a slightly hyperextended position of function. For legs get them straight with toes pointed toward your head a strap over the toes pulling up really helps.
 
It comes at the beginning of the season in my case.
After a hard work of exhaustion, when the muscle loses it's warmth, the cramp comes repeatedly.
Going out to the field for several times and the body looks like to adapt, cramp will be rare.
This is my case, not sure about others. Hope it will be a help.
 
I would focus mainly on hydration. You lose more moisture just breathing in the cold dry air. So be sure to keep hydrated. You might want to try mixing something like gatorade 50/50 with your water.

Dried apricots are a good source of potassium, toss a couple in your pocket on the way out the door for a trail snack - not too many though, too many and you'll could become really "regular" in a hurry.
 
Check out Vitalyte (can get it at REI), it's high in potassium, low in sugar and doesn't have a strong taste. Can be found in a cannister or single pouches.
 
If you are crapping on your leg when you go into the bush, I think you need to inspect the food you are eating :) (sorry, had to be "that guy" (title of thread)).


However, on a serious note, diet and hydration spring to my mind.
Calcium, Magnesium and Potassium should be high on your list. Basically eat a couple bananas and take some Calcium/Magnesium. In addition, Vitamin C would help keep inflammation down.

Are you stretching out your muscles before/during/after?

I would look into "therapy rollers", they are not too expensive and easy for solo usage. They are basically a hard foam cylinder (ie 2' x 5") that you move along your muscles to help loosen them (plenty of material online about them).

You could put a topical (non drug) cream on the area. I have experience with BIOFREEZE and it does help to relieve symptoms of muscle pain.

Taking some ibuprofen would also help to reduce inflammation and pain.

Icing the area can help, if it's seems to be more of an acute injury. However, if this is something that seems chronic, heat might work better.

Hope you feel better.
 
BoxANT said:
If you are crapping on your leg when you go into the bush, I think you need to inspect the food you are eating :) (sorry, had to be "that guy" (title of thread)).
Click to expand...

Thanks because I didn't want to have to be the one. Especially after the apricots and 'regular' post.
 
BoxANT said:
I would look into "therapy rollers", they are not too expensive and easy for solo usage. They are basically a hard foam cylinder (ie 2' x 5") that you move along your muscles to help loosen them (plenty of material online about them).
Click to expand...
Agree with effectiveness of rolling muscles. If you want to try out something similar w/o purchasing one, use a pastry roller. I couldn't see paying $30 for a regular roller stick so I used what I had. Works! :thumbup:
 
Your having a problem with lactic acid buildup in the legs.

Keep your breaks to 5 minutes or less. If a rest break goes over five minutes lentgthen it out to more than 25 minutes for the lactic acid to break down.
 
If it happens at night, put a bar of soap under your bottom sheet. No more night cramps. used to get leg cramps at night, I never do with the soap trick. Why does it work? I don't have a clue but it does.
 
udtjim said:
If it happens at night, put a bar of soap under your bottom sheet. No more night cramps. used to get leg cramps at night, I never do with the soap trick. Why does it work? I don't have a clue but it does.
Click to expand...


Say what now? Is that like putting a knife under the bed to "cut the pain in two"?
 
We used to employ our escrima sticks for muscle rollers. The great thing about them is that if someone starts making fun of your cramps and rolling, you can smack them with the escrima sticks.:D

DancesWithKnives
 
udtjim,

Instead of soap under your sheets, how about a nice gal BETWEEN your sheets? Might not address the leg cramps directly, but you would probably forget about them!;)

DancesWithKnives
 
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