My wife gets these constantly, I'm not sure why. She explains it as her toes feel like they get broken/dislocated because they start curling towards each other, and when this happens her entire foot cramps up for a good 5 minutes at a time. During this period she can't walk or even move her foot/leg. Tonight it happened to her 3 times in a 30 minute span. Luckily she wasn't driving when it happened, we were just shopping in a bookstore. What could be causing this? Sometimes this will happen while she is laying in bed, totally relaxed. It's not a pulled muscle (i get these sometimes but they are self inflicted when I stretch my arms/legs a little longer then I should)
I know I'm gonna get bashed to hell for this, but I used to get them all the time until I started wearing VFF's. my toes used to be jumbled together, all twisted which way. If I were to move my foot the wrong way, I'd get what I felt like was charlie horse on the inside of my arch. It comes from years of your feet and toes being like that (women more so with their outrageous shoes). It's like any muscle in your body; the more you're able to isolate individual muscles and work them out, the better you should feel. I can actually move my individual toes, one at time, just like people can with the fingers on their hands.
Has she seen a doctor about it? Here's the short version of what the respected Mayo Clinic thinks can cause cramps. Click on the link for more information: Causes By Mayo Clinic staff Overuse of a muscle, dehydration, muscle strain or simply holding a position for a prolonged period of time may result in a muscle cramp. In many cases, however, the exact cause of a muscle cramp isn't known. Although most muscle cramps are harmless, some may be related to an underlying medical condition, such as: Inadequate blood supply. Narrowing of the arteries that deliver blood to your legs (arteriosclerosis of the extremities) can produce cramp-like pain in your legs and feet while you're exercising. These cramps usually go away soon after you stop exercising. Nerve compression. Compression of nerves in your spine (lumbar stenosis) also can produce cramp-like pain in your legs. The pain usually worsens the longer you walk. Walking in a slightly flexed position — such as you would employ when pushing a shopping cart ahead of you — may improve or delay the onset of your symptoms. Mineral depletion. Too little potassium, calcium or magnesium in your diet can contribute to leg cramps. Diuretics — medications often prescribed for high blood pressure — may also deplete these minerals. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/muscle-cramp/DS00311/DSECTION=causes
I get them in my foot, around the arc every now and then. If I jump up and put weight on it it'll go away before it comes on strong. I drink plenty of water, eat about 5 bananas a week, etc... not sure what the deal is. If you ever get one in your shin... worst thing man. Feels like your shin bone is trying to rip through your skin.
easy fix, when I curl/flex the arch of my foot the cramping begins. My foot involuntarily starts curling more and more, just extend the foot back into its natural position with your hand. Usually happens when I stretch like a grizzly bear. To me, it also happens with my jaw, if I yawn excessively hard, I just grab my chin and start the wrestling.
I used to get cramps in my calf in my sleep when I didn't drink enough water during the day. Proper hydration was a quick fix for me.
I get them like once a week on the arch of my feet. Whoever posted that its harmless link sucks! When I get it, them fookers hurt. I can feel like my vein or something wriggling around trying to pop out, I usually have to massage it.
Same here, the only time I get them are when I'm swimming. OP, your wife probably isn't drinking enough water. And she should probably eat a banana a day as well if drinking more water doesn't help.
All of you with foot pain/cramps need to take a ball and roll the muscles/tendons on the bottom of your foot out. (lacrosse ball, tennis ball, baseball, golf ball w/e) OP i would tell her 2 minutes each foot a day for at least a week then overtime you could cut that back to 3x week/2x week/1x week... examples: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wOqsGsvJu6M http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rsYLsjXVLR8 (<--- good **** for OP)
Can't tell if serious, but if serious: Damn, cramps around the jaw sounds unbelievably painful. Sucks. I used to get them in my foot arch and toes independently, even when I used to exercise a lot. I haven't had them since I started drinking more water, even with an almost sedentary lifestyle.
it happens under the jaw behind the chin. I just start acting like I'm choking and immediately start pulling the skin/muscle from going further in. But the foot cramp, I can get it right now if I bend my toes really hard.
Like others have said more fluids helps any type of cramping, don't over do it though. Is she on her feet all day or a lot of walking in sandals or heels? Also is it in her arch or more in the balls of her feet. Calf cramps and arch cramps are related. Use the ball like the other poster said and roll it up and down the fascia (that tight band in the arch) and she can do support stretches and push her heel down. My gymnasts get foot cramps a lot pretty common if you really use your feet.
