Muscle Cramps and Charlie Horses ~ what can I do to alleviate them?

Question

the muscle cramps and charlie horses are in my legs...oftentimes they wake me up

Answer 1

A cramp can be quickly defused with active stretching of the affected muscle. Cramps in the calf muscle can be defused by outstretching the leg, pushing the heel downward, and pointing your toes toward your head. Standing up with most of your weight on the ball of the foot on the cramping side will also stretch the gastrocnemius muscle and diffuse the pain. If you feel a cramp starting, this will usually stop it from becoming more painful. Persistent cramps should be treated by a doctor.[8]