A charley horse sounds very painful. Luckily, Dr. Peter Lazarnick, called Dr. Pete, offers complete chiropractic care in Carrollton, GA, for those patients suffering from painful acute or chronic muscle-related conditions.
Do You Know What a Charley Horse Is?
A charley horse is a colloquial term for a muscle cramp or spasm. A muscle cramp is an involuntary contraction in the muscle that may stop you in your tracks and be quite painful. This spasm may also freeze, meaning the muscle struggles to release and relax.
Any muscle in the body may cramp, but they are more prevalent in the:
Back, neck and shoulders
Legs and thighs
Feet and hands
Along the front of the ribcage and abdomen.
What Causes These Muscle Spasms?
Dr. Pete sees patients suffering from charley horses due to:
Injured or overused muscles (which are the most common reason for cramps).
Dehydration and low mineral levels of potassium or calcium.
Poor circulation
Nerve compression or irritation
Due to certain medications
Pregnancy-related complications.
Muscle spasms are relatively common in older patients, athletes, and patients carrying extra weight. The good news is that in most cases, a charley horse is preventable and treatable if they do happen.
Prevention and Treatment
Dr. Pete, serving Carrollton, GA, can help you learn how to prevent getting a charley horse and the tactics you need to use are pretty simple, including:
Stretching your muscles daily, especially before exercise.
Keeping your body hydrated and your electrolytes and minerals balanced.
Massage therapy is an option after sporting activities to keep your muscles supple and flexible. This is particularly important for competitive athletes at all levels.
Suppose you find you are regularly suffering from a charley horse. In that case, speaking to someone like Dr. Pete or a healthcare provider who can help you establish the underlying cause of these involuntary contractions is worthwhile to see if additional intervention is necessary.
From a chiropractic perspective, Dr. Pete can help you maintain optimal health and offer pain relief from muscular spasms using one or more of the following treatments:
Physical modalities for soft tissue injuries
Chiropractic adjustments and manipulations
Laser therapy for healing at a cellular level if there are specific injuries.
Therapeutic exercise interventions
Electrical stimulation therapies targeting the affected muscles.
Contact Us!
Dr. Lazarnick, known as Dr. Pete, serves Carrollton, GA, and is available for help with a charley horse or other muscle-related conditions. For appointments or to learn more about your options, call us today at 770-832-2226.