You can’t feel a video…until it’s a calf cramp.
If you’ve ever watched someone’s calf lock up and immediately felt it in your own leg, you know exactly what this is. But despite what the caption says, “you should have had a banana” probably wasn’t going to save him in that moment.
That’s because most muscle cramps aren’t simply your body screaming for potassium. In many cases, the nervous system is the real problem. The muscle gets stuck with the gas pedal down and the brakes stop working.
So what do you do when a calf cramp hits?
First, don’t just panic and grab your leg. Try to actively pull your toes up toward your shin by contracting the muscle on the front of your shin. That can help create a neurological reset and tell the calf to let go.
And if that doesn’t work, there’s one last panic button: pickle juice.
No, it doesn’t work because it magically replaces lost electrolytes in seconds. It works too fast for that. The strong vinegar taste may stimulate nerves in the mouth and throat that help interrupt the cramp reflex.
Your calf might be glitching, but now you know how to take back control.
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Jeff Cavaliere MSPT, CSCS served as both the head physical therapist and assistant strength coach for the New York Mets. Jeff earned his Masters of Physical Therapy and Bachelor’s of Physioneurobiology from the College of Health Sciences University of Connecticut Storrs. He is a certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist by the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA).
