Whether you call it a muscle spasm, a charley horse or a muscle cramp – it hurts! A muscle spasm can wake you in the middle of the night, interrupt a tennis game, reward you after a long run, or surprise you in the middle of a foot reflexology session.
When a muscle engages, i.e. contracts, it shortens. A spasm is an involuntary static state of contracture in a muscle; ie. a muscle that will not willfully relax.
Muscles spasm when the normal balance of potassium and sodium (electrolytes) in the muscle cells is disturbed for a longer period of time than the muscles can withstand.
There are a number of things that can contribute to an imbalance of these electrolytes:
1. Dehydration, from inadequate fluid intake or excessive sweating.
2. Vigorous exercise, especially when stretching before and afterwards does not occur.
3. Potassium and/or calcium deficiency.
So why does a cramp occur during a foot reflexology session?
Muscles that have been overly taut for a period of time, such as those of the lower leg or sole of the foot, tend to relax during a reflexology session. That sets up a disruption of the electrolyte balance, causing the muscle to cramp.
If this happens when you are giving a session, don’t panic. The solution is simple. To relax any muscle in the body, you actively engage the antagonistic (opposing) muscle, which will increase circulation to the affected muscle and allow it to lengthen and relax.
If someone on my table cramps up, I immediately place the palm of my hand on the dorsal side of their foot and ask them to strongly pull their foot towards their face (dorsi-flex). At the same time my hand resists their motion, attempting to pull their foot towards my face (plantar-flex). This combined action engages the foot flexor muscles and lengthens the extensor and intrinsic foot muscles. The hold is held for a couple of seconds and then both the client and I relax our efforts. We immediately do it again, and continue to repeat the sequence of engagement and relaxation until the cramping stops (usually three to eight repetitions).
An acupressure method can be added to the stretch protocol above. While performing the movements described, ask your client to apply pressure with her index finger between her lip and nose, two-thirds of the way up. She holds that point firmly until the cramp subsides.
Adequate hydration, regular foot reflexology, massage of the muscles prone to cramping, a diet high in potassium and calcium, and daily stretching can prevent the re-occurrence of muscle cramps.
Karen,
Pat is a friend of mine and has Plantar ? and I thought
maybe you could help her, after reading the above.
Thanks Joan Scop
Hi Joan:
If you’re referring to Plantar Fasciitis, that is quite different than an involuntary muscle cramp. If you follow this link to a January 3rd post I published on Plantar Fasciitis, I think you’ll see the difference. http://www.academyofancientreflexology.com/blog/2011/01/an-invitation.html
If you send me your friend’s contact information, I’ll call her.
Karen
I have also seen some clients who cramp when their feet are cold, as in when they get up unto a cold bare floor from the bed, barefoot. Thanks for the great article Karen! I had not heard of the acupressure point for cramps. I will try that next time I have cramps myself.
Thanks Wendy for the reminder of living up north! I think I do recall cramps in my own feet when stepping onto cold floors in the winter. How soon one forgets when living in Florida!
I get terrible foot and leg cramps,drink water,have tried CRAMP EZE -no luck at all. At this moment, I have a reflexologist in action – and it helps! NEW ZEALAND.
That’s great to hear, Terry. I’m glad that you’re getting some relief from reflexology.
If I get a leg cramp, I stand up, it almost immediately stops. I also drink water and take a potassium supplement.
Good strategy Lois. When you stand, you are stretching the posterior/plantar muscles that are cramping while engaging the anterior muscles to stand. That’s why it works. Especially if you stand on a cold floor!
Thank you so much for this information on foot cramps Karen. It’s so helpful. I’ve recently qualified. I’ve a client whose foot kept cramping during her last 2 sessions. I tried linking the solar plexus and pituitary and it worked until I took my hand away and would almost seem worse. I will try your suggestion and pass this info on to her. I think her cramps might be a side effects of meds but no harm to cover all basis. Many thanks again.
Tough if her cramps are caused by the meds she’s taking. Perhaps her doc can switch out the medication for one that won’t cause that.
Taurine supplements can also help with potassium/calcium/sodium balance. Helpful if people are getting “enough” electrolytes but not processing them correctly.
Thanks, Emily for adding this in.
I have been Diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy and wake three or four times a night with severe foot and leg cramps do you think reflexology would help
Thx you
Hello Aileen!
I’m so sorry to hear about your diagnosis. I can only imagine how painful that must be for you.
Reflexology is very helpful in managing the symptoms. It will not fully rid you of discomfort though without really getting to the root of the problem.
I am going to email you so we can discuss some of your health history a little more privately.