1. Skip to content
  2. Skip to main menu
  3. Skip to more DW sites
Live TV
Latest audioLatest videos
In focus
Russia's war in UkraineIsrael-Hamas warIndia elections

What causes leg cramps at night?

March 27, 2015

"I suffer from leg cramps, especially at night. Sometimes that’s also accompanied by a pins-and-needles sensation in my arms and legs", writes Marlis Ferwer de Zelaya from Mexico. And here’s Dr. Lekutat’s video reply.

https://p.dw.com/p/1EyPR
What causes leg cramps at night?

[No title]

Dr. Lekutat's answer:

If you’ve ever had a serious leg cramp, you know how painful that can be. But fortunately, there’s usually a benign explanation. Leg cramps are often caused by muscle strain or over-exertion. Wearing uncomfortable or ill-fitting shoes can also cause muscle strain and leg cramps. The best therapy includes muscle stretches. One stretch entails extending your leg and pulling your foot forward to stretch the large muscles of the calf, which should help relieve the pain. But if you suffer from cramps frequently, suffer from cramps in other parts of your body, or if you experience unpleasant sensations such as a pins-and-needles sensation in your arms or legs, that could indicate some sort of spinal issue. If these symptoms appear frequently or last for a long time, it’s best to consult your doctor. Also worth noting: magnesium only seems to help for calf cramps that arise during pregnancy. Studies have shown that magnesium supplements don’t improve leg cramps in people who are not pregnant.