Get Leg Cramps? Carry an Ultralight remedy

[2.0]

:eek: For those who have suffered leg cramps during hiking, or any physical activity, which I would guess at least 99% of us have at some point, their is a simple, free and ultralight item you can carry with you on your hikes to quickly alleviate the cramp and keep you moving. Some of you already know, but for the rest it may suprise you. :-?

Mustard Packets! :sun

Next time you go to the deli or fast food joint pick up a few or a handfull and stick them in your pack. They weigh about 5 grams each and usually one or two will solve the cramp problem. Also works for restless leg syndrome while you sleep, just take a couple teaspoons (2 packets) before going to sleep. It has worked for me in both situations.

Mustard is one of those so-called Super Foods :jumpthat has many nutritional and health benefits, to include cancer fighting properties, anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, anti-septic and antibacterial properties, helps with migraines and headaches, clears your sinuses, helps with Rheumatoid Arthritis, and increases your metabolism. There are only about 4 calories per packet, make up is half protein/half carbs, nearly no fats, and has the salts that your body needs during physical activity when you are sweating out most of your salt.

:rolleyes: Plus, if you are like me, the taste alone is great and is a delicious condiment for crackers, pretzels, sausages, cheeses, melba toast, and many other items you may carry to eat on you treks.

Hope this may help some of you. I have included a link testifying to what i have said above, but if you just google "mustard health benefits" you will see hundreds of articles. I also included the Nutritional Facts for a Packet.

http://www.coreperformance.com/daily/nutrition/mustard-a-cure-for-cramps.html

[sbhikes]

Interesting. I've heard quinine water also works.

[WILLIAM HAYES]

personally i use acer electrolytes which come in small lightweight foil packets never heard of using mustard but will check it out- never been bothered with leg cramps when hiking if you have cramping problems watch your water intake and make sure you get enough potassium/magnesium and calcuim supplementation

[john gault]

It's true that cramps can be cause by a nutritional imbalance, such as low potassium, sodium or insufficient hydration. However, I believe most cases is a result in the process of simply building a stronger body.

When I use to run (before my thru-hike), I would have cramps in the calves, nearly everytime, even when I ate extra bananas and drank plenty of water in, because that was the remedy everyone said. I don't have those problems anymore and I really haven't changed my approach to diet, but I did restart my approach to physical fitness.

And the thing with cramps and soreness is that if you do basically the same exercises your body adapts and it becomes very difficult to create soreness in those muscles, but if you change it up just a little the body freaks out.

Case-in-point: I've been doing a lot of running and weights lately with the legs, such as squats, leg extentions...everything, but lunges. So the other day I was going to go for a run on the beach, but I had the weird feeling in my knee that I could not walk-off, so when I got to the beach I decided not to run and decided to do lunges (had to do something) down and back as far as I could.

Long story short, I haven't had leg pains like this in I don't know how long, so bad I don't even feel like riding my bike. And I can't sit up with out using my arms. I look like a freakin' 90-year old man when I try and stand up. And here I am 5 days later and feeling much better, but still some pain, but may try an do a run.

My only point is, be mindful of nutrional needs, but don't (as I use to do) be convinced that all cramps are from a nutritional deficiency. It could be that you just freaked-out the body.
:sun

[Jim Adams]

Never had cramping problems but that sounds cool...does it matter whether it's yellow or brown?

geek

[Kerosene]

Frankly, I believe that most true muscle cramping can be avoided with sufficient hydration. Drink a liter of water before you start hiking, drink a liter every 3-6 miles (depending on exertion and humidity level), and aim to keep your urine clear. Of course, your diet needs a bit of potassium also, which is where mustard might help if you can't eat a banana or potato chips.

[fiddlehead]

Interesting, I will try it sometime as i do get cramps when i run long distances.
I have found that coconut water helps here in SE Asia (the water inside a green coconut, which are available everywhere here)
And if they get really bad, i take a Magnesium pill. I tried potassium and sodium and they didn't do it for me.
I hope mustard works.
Although i don't really have any foods here that it would go with that i know of. (no cheese, pretzels, but they do have hot dogs)

[john gault]

I'm always skeptical of magic cures for various ailments. I've yet to find one that works and then there are the magical cures that may work, but are they really good for you -- specifically talking about Vitamin I.

As for all the "natural" cures, what makes them magical? Is there any difference between potassium from a banana than from a potatoe or whatever...?

[2.0]

Admittedly, there are a thousand causes of cramps, a thousand ways to prevent them and a thousand ways to cure them. There are also numerous types of cramps, from muscle to menstrual. I was just offering one possible, and ultralight, easy to carry, free remedy. I'm in no way professing to know everything thing there is to know about the subject, nor am I a mustard lobbyist. LOL

As far as I know (not much) any type of mustard, yellow, brown, deli style, spicey and possibly the hoity toity grey poupon type should have the same effectiveness.

And nowhere did I mention "natural" or "magical". There is no conspiracy or mustard agenda, so no need to be overly skeptical. There is no such thing as a mustard packet bush/tree as they are a processed food derived from mustard seeds, vinegar and other secret ingredients wrapped in a petroleum based plastic wrapper. And I have no clue about the side effects or overdosing of mustard. So don't sue me if you eat too much and you get a runny nose. LOL

But I will be carrying a few packets on my hikes since they have worked for me and don't take up any more room than a few bandaids and don't require water, which you may be low on at times. If you have something that works for you I would suggest you stick with it. This is just an alternative to give you another option or something to think about. Up to you as I am not forcing this on anyone.

[Kerosene]

I will be carrying a few packets on my hikes since they have worked for me...2.0, tell us about a few times it worked for you (ie., situation, location and severity of cramping, dosage, time to relief, etc.).

[couscous]

Good reason to add mustard to meals while hiking. I've dealt with leg cramps for over 35 years so others made sure I knew about this thread. The main item in my first aid kit is always baking soda, 1/4 teaspoon in 2 cups of water .. normally eliminates my leg cramping in less than 60 seconds.

[Awol1970]

I have found that coconut water helps here in SE Asia (the water inside a green coconut, which are available everywhere here)


Coconut water is very rich in potassium and electrolytes.. It can also be used if you have to Macgyver up an I.V. drip, or so I've heard. I lived in S. Florida for a year and loved to whack the top off a coconut and drink it. Tasty and refreshing. And free:D.

[2.0]

2.0, tell us about a few times it worked for you (ie., situation, location and severity of cramping, dosage, time to relief, etc.).

Due to the nature of my work, warehouse, I walking several miles a day while lugging things about. In addition I go on day hikes and bike for exercise. At times I get cramps, mostly in my calves and hamstrings. I also get them while asleep after a day of strenuous activity. Some food with mustard has helped me on several occasions and effective relief is usually had within minutes but no more than 30. My legs are also more comfortable when I sleep. I drink plenty of water everyday, sometimes up to 2 gallons since I sweat a lot and I am usually constantly thirsty. So in my opinion, I think my cramps are usually a result of overuse, loss of salts, potassium and electrolytes. Sometimes an extra dose of daily vitamins, bananas or other foods help as well.

[hobbs]

Interesting, I will try it sometime as i do get cramps when i run long distances.
I have found that coconut water helps here in SE Asia (the water inside a green coconut, which are available everywhere here)
And if they get really bad, i take a Magnesium pill. I tried potassium and sodium and they didn't do it for me.
I hope mustard works.
Although i don't really have any foods here that it would go with that i know of. (no cheese, pretzels, but they do have hot dogs)
Fiddlehead- Thro something else to check into...!984 Alberto Salazar fell out in the Olympic qualifier in Buffalo..Complaining of fatigue and cramping...Iron was the cause..just wanted people to be aware of it as well. As for mustard that is a known to college athletes...Its is true..

[StubbleJumper]

I might have to try mustard next time I get cramps. I love these low cost suggestions that we can all try for a minimal investment. If it works, it works...if doesn't work, then I'm only out a nickel.

[Blissful]

I drink more water and make sure I eat a banana on a hike whenever I hit a store

[sbhikes]

When I feel a let cramp coming on, I force myself to point my toes up as far as possible. It's excruciating because your body is trying to force your toes to point down. But it stops the cramping. I sometimes get foot cramps in my arch, too, and do the same thing to stop it.