Spasmodic calf cramps may occur for a number of different reasons: wearing uncomfortable or high-heeled shoes, sudden strenuous exercise, or dietary deficiencies. More constant calf pain with redness and puffiness could be a sign of deep vein thrombosis which needs immediate medical attention.

Treatment - Dietary.

Increasing your intake of calcium may help avoid calf cramps. Good sources of calcium are: milk, cheese and yogurt, dark green leafy vegetables, broccoli, canned fish, cooked dried beans, almond butter and sesame products. Vitamin D is essential for the absorption of calcium. It builds up in the skin on exposure to the sun, and is found in vitamin D-fortified milk, liver, egg yolk, cod liver oil and fish. For night calf cramps, vitamin E supplements have been found to help. Increase your vitamin E intake by eating wheatgerm, sunflower seeds, soya beans, olive oil, eggs and parsley. Alternatively, take a 300 iu vitamin E supplement daily.

Homeopathy

Cuprum metallicum 6c, sucked slowly when cramp occurs, helps relieve the spasm and ache which follows.

Massage

Massage stimulates circulation in the veins of the legs:

Sit on a flat surface and bend your knees. Using the heel of both hands, massage the muscles of the back of the calves, starting in the middle and working outwards. Then, using the thumbs, make small circular movements to soften the muscles all over the backs of the calves. These techniques can also be done in the bath with soap lather on your hands.

Exercise

Regular walking, cycling or swimming helps prevent cramps. To stretch the calf muscles during a cramp, stand facing the wall with your feet together about 2-4 feet from the wall and lean forward, keeping your heels fixed on the floor. You should feel a stretch in the back of the calves. Move the feet back or forward to adjust the stretch.

Orthodox

Doctors recommend stretching and massaging the muscles involved. If the cramps occur at night, a drug containing calcium or quinine may be prescribed to prevent painful disturbances.