Everyone has felt the sharp pain of a muscle that contracts suddenly and refuses to relax. Usually muscle cramps last only a few minutes. Sometimes they occur at night. You might have called it a "charley horse". These cramps or spasms are caused by one or more of the following:
* working a muscle too hard,
* staying in the same position too long,
* not drinking enough water while exercising or working,
* doing a new activity that your muscles are not used to,
* poor nutrition, and
* not stretching before and after a physical activity.

Regular exercise and drinking water will prevent most of this type of cramping.

Sometimes muscle cramps or spasms mean you have a more serious medical problem. You may need immediate medical attention. See a health care professional if you have any of the following:
* frequent muscle cramps or spasms,
* cramps in the abdominal area,
* muscle cramps after overheating, or
* cramps or spasm that do not relax.

Some treatments for muscle spasm and cramps include:
* Gentle massage to the cramped muscle.
* Stretch the muscle out of the spasm slowly.
* Alternate heat and cold on the muscle for 1 to 2 minutes for a total of 15 minutes. Then massage and stretch again.

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