Summary
Involuntary
contractions of muscles in the body are termed muscle cramps
or muscle spasms. A more common term for such a
condition in the calf muscle is a charley horse.
Common causes of muscle cramps are over exercising,
dehydration, lack of key nutrients, and/or nerve irritation.
In some cases cramps occur without any identifiable cause.
This is the case with night cramps (nocturnal cramps, rest
cramps) that are usually in the leg muscles and are common
in older adults.
Over exercising, especially coupled with dehydration or
depleted levels of calcium, magnesium, or potassium, may
cause muscle cramps. Depletion of these nutrients can also
occur with pregnancy, while taking diuretics, or during
dialysis making one more susceptible to cramping.
A muscle injury or irritation to the nerve may also cause
muscle cramps. A nerve irritation in the neck area may
cause muscle cramps in the upper back, shoulders, or arms
while lower spine irritations can affect the leg muscles.
The nerve irritation can be from stress, injury, or from
problems associated with aging such as arthritis.
[search helps:
Dystonic cramps,
contractures, tetany, tetanic cramps, spasm]
Oils, blends & products
recommended:
Oils & Blends:
Aroma Touch, cypress, Deep Blue, geranium,
helichrysum, lavender, lime, marjoram, Past Tense
Essential oils based
products: Life Long Vitality, MJ Assist
Also consider:
Suggested protocols:
Topically apply 2-5 drops of Aroma Touch, Deep Blue, or
Past Tense blend directly to the muscle area affected with
massage strokes for immediate relief.
For long term nutritional support use the
Life Long Vitality
supplements. If there is a chronic problem (repeated
cramps) consider using the
Aroma Touch
Technique daily.
If nerve damage is suspected go to this page on
nerve damage.
Experiences and Testimonials of others
Gale – I know a
young man that is on a number of pharmaceuticals including
tizanidine for muscle spasms and nerve damage.
Can anyone please help me figure out the best way to help
this young man?
Laura – According to Dr. Hill lime is
great for reducing muscle spasms and cramps. The
furocoumarins in cold-pressed lime are what helps with this.
Monica – From my notes during the
doTERRA Convention I have that bergamot essential oil
reduces muscle spasms and cramps and that the Past Tense
Blend (Tension Relief Formula) creates relief from sore,
tense muscles.
Editorial comment -
other muscle cramps experiences.
Rob - I woke up early this morning in
excruciating pain as my calf muscle had tightened up.
It felt like a rock under my skin. The first thing
that came to my mind was Deep Blue. My wife obliged me
with a massage of about 3-4 drops of Deep Blue and 1 or 2
drops helichrysum directly on the effected part of my calf.
Almost immediately, the muscle began to relax and the pain
went away.
Even more remarkable, by experience I have learned that
after a leg cramp like that, I usually spend the day limping
around. But I immediately started walking on the leg
with no indication that I had experienced a cramping trauma.
Those that have ever experienced cramps will appreciate this
experience. I'm excited to share this treatment with
athletes I know well at our local high school. Then my
goal will be to get some of these oils in the hands of
trainers for colleges and let them experience what they can
do....
Nettie - I use Past Tense to relieve
night cramps in my legs! I started to do that after one of
my friends told me about it. She got a night cramp and
was walking around her bedroom when she remembered her newly
acquired Past Tense and thought she'd try it! She was amazed
when it disappeared! After hearing this I tried it on my
brother who also had a leg cramp whilst sitting in a
restaurant and it vanished within a minute of using it! At
that point I needed one for his jaw which had dropped down
to his knees in astonishment
Rex - An experience with back pain.
Mid April of this year, out of nowhere, I developed a severe
pain on the right back side near my shoulder blade.
Since we were about to travel from Arizona to Idaho I first
went to a chiropractor (very little relief), then to a
medical doctor. Both found no structural problem but
could see there were severe muscle spasms. The pain
was intense and continued. I was using cold compresses
and was sporadic with my oils use. The medical doctor
gave me pain meds that I tried off and on but they had their
usual bad side effects (out of it, sluggish and
constipated). Finally, after making it to Idaho, I
started getting serious about using oils. My wife
(after consulting with Robert James) did something similar
to the AromaTouch Technique
(the ATT had not yet been made public) on my spine a couple of times
the first day and then daily for about a week. This
helped the pain a lot. But without the oils, the pain
was still very intense and now included pain in my right arm
with numbness down to my fingers. By then we were in
Boise and I was seeing a chiropractor friend and also my
regular doctor. Both confirmed it was the 3rd or 4th
vertebrae area (I forget which) and was a protruding
(slipped) disc coupled with some arthritis putting pressure
on the nerves. The chiropractor recommended and the
doctor prescribed a 5 day regiment of Prednisone to get
ahead of the ongoing severe pain. I did this but also
continued the ATT. The chiropractor helped
with stretching and relaxing the muscles and also provided a
traction device that I could use at home.
At this point the pain was under control but still a 5 or
6 on a 10 point scale and the strength in my right hand/arm
was quite diminished (could not write well or zip my pants).
Further it wasn’t getting better any faster. So again
we reviewed the oils more seriously and decided on the
following regiment. Use AromaTouch and Deep Blue on
the areas of pain from the muscle spasms (shoulder blade
area and arm) and apply helichrysum (for tissue repair and
nerve damage) directly on
the disc and frankincense (for inflammation) directly on
the spinal column as well. A standard “treat both the
symptoms and the root cause” strategy. At first it was
three times a day on the AromaTouch and Deep Blue (4 or 5
drops each with a carrier) and morning with helichrysum (2
drops, no carrier) and evening with frankincense (2 drops,
no carrier). During this time I continued using the
traction device a couple of times a day. After a week
I continued the helichrysum and frankincense but only
applied Deep Blue once or twice a day with just 2 or 3 drops
directly on the spinal area (the spasms had gone away and
this helped with the remaining pain). Now after two
weeks of the well thought out strategy, I am 95% and have
almost all strength back in my arm and hand. I have
not used Deep Blue for a couple days but will continue the
helichrysum and frankincense for another week.
Protocols
folks recommend for children
Shannon - My little baby 2 years old as
you know has had some issues with leg cramps and leg pains.
She woke up with pains last night and said, "mommy, I need
the water." I didn't know what she meant. I asked her if she
needed a drink of water. She said, "No mommy, my leg hurts I
need the water on it." I was so shocked! She wanted the oils
on her! That is what she was talking about. I put the oil
peppermint on her feet and legs. She said, "Thank you mommy,
night. " WOW!!!
I just thought I would share how funny that was, but also
how amazing it was! 2 years old!!!!
Rebecca - Wow what a great story~! I'm
happy the peppermint worked on her and she is aware enough
to know what her body needs!!!! Truly amazing!!
Lynda - Awesome! Gives me chills to
hear these kind of stories. Aren't these oils amazing!
Ready, Set, Grow
