Are your clients frequently complaining of severe muscle cramps, especially now in the later stages of summer? Bodyworkers can play a role in helping their clients manage and prevent these types of afflictions by sharing some basic tips and information with them.
Typically, the main culprit causing a muscle cramp is an electrolyte imbalance, caused when a person is overheated. When your car overheats, the common course of action is to turn it off and allow it to cool down. The same is true for when a person gets overheated. It's best to get out of the heat and give your cramping muscles a chance to rest and relax, before the pain intensifies and the cramping worsens.
Should you find your clients experiencing too frequent muscle cramps, it could mean there is a more serious cause. Noting the location of the cramps is important as it too, can indicate a serious health problem, requiring a referral to a physician for a formal diagnosis.
As bodyworkers, there are various techniques and methods, from manual massage therapy to acupressure, that can be performed to alleviate the muscle cramps and spasms your clients are experiencing.
Staying hydrated and keeping your body cool can prevent muscle cramping. Simple stretching can also prevent cramping because it increases circulation. Potassium intake is also significant in preventing muscle cramps, especially when exercising, because high amounts of potassium are lost during perspiration. Bananas are high in potassium, so a simple way to prevent muscle cramps is to eat a banana, which will give your body the added extra potassium it needs. Informing your clients of the ways they can prevent dehydration and cramping will greatly benefit them.
To learn more about how you can help your clients dealing with painful muscle cramps, visit http://www.integrative-healthcare.org/mt/archives/2006/09/massage_solutio.html .