Correction to above. If muscles are cramping, ice is better. If muscles are very sore due to inflammation, heat is better. Also, you can sleep with a pillow under your legs (if you are on your back), between your legs if you are on you side. This takes the pressure off the lower back which will ease the cramping. Also can elevate the feet. If you do not have a bed that will automatically fold the feet up, just take a piece of luggage or other object to put between the mattresses to raise the feet up (this again takes pressure off the back).