Ways Seniors Can Avoid Muscle Cramps While Exercising
Senior Care in Hudsonville MI
For seniors, exercising regularly is a great way to prevent many serious medical conditions, boost energy, and have great quality of life. But, if your senior loved one often gets muscle cramps
during or after exercise, it can quickly become an activity that your loved one would rather avoid. The truth is that exercise should be a fun and enjoyable activity and one that does not cause pain. If your senior loved one often experiences muscle cramps, encourage them to try these simple strategies to prevent them and relieve the pain when they do occur.
Stay Hydrated
Muscles need water to help them contract, relax, and function properly. When the body is dehydrated, muscles are more prone to pain. To avoid dehydration and the muscle cramps that come with it, encourage your loved one to drink plenty of water throughout the day and during and after exercise. Seniors should bring a water bottle to the fitness center with them and sip on water as they become thirsty and as they begin to sweat to replenish their body’s fluids.
Stretch
Warming up the muscles by stretching before exercise is a great way to prevent muscle cramps. Stretching prepares the muscles for a workout and helps the body become more flexible and less-injury prone. Encourage your loved one to add a stretching routine to their workout both before and after their main workout.
Massage
Massaging a cramped muscle can help to relax it and ease the pain. Encourage your loved one to gently massage their cramped muscles after working out if they are experiencing pain.
Heat and Cold
Another way to ease the pain of muscle cramps is by using hot or cold compresses. If your loved one is experiencing pain from a cramped muscle, encourage them to either apply an ice pack or heating pad to the affected muscle. Additionally, a warm bath or shower may also help to ease the pain of sore muscles.
Talk to a Doctor
If at-home remedies are not helping your loved one to eliminate muscle cramps and pain, it is a good idea for them to make an appointment with their doctor. Their doctor can advise them on which exercises to do and which ones to avoid and help them to better manage their muscle cramps. If muscle cramps and pain are becoming a source of frustration for your loved one, discussing their concerns with a doctor may help them to find solutions so that they can stay on track with their exercise routine.
If you or someone you know needs help with senior care in Hudsonville, MI, contact Gauthier Family Home Care. We provide quality and affordable home care services in our community. Call us at (616) 258-2300 for more information.
Source: http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/muscle-cramp/home/ovc-20186047
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