How to eliminate nocturnal leg cramps

That is great! I am going to try some of your techniques too. The cramps are so disruptive to sleep. May you have continued success!!

A tried and true method after walking, under hydrating or shoes not made for support - when I was younger.
I did this - it was the first remedy I tried but I was dealing with an industrial strength cramp in a considerably older leg!
Thx for taking the time to answer.
There are some useful comments in this thread, should the toe stretch lose effectiveness.
Glad it’s still working for you.

@lorry That is great news so happy to hear your getting relief. I used the Voltaren gel for a couple year until they wanted me to get off of it. I started using Salon pas patches for my back then I found out they sell it in a roll-on so I roll it all over and get relief almost instant. Do you think the karate chop helped?

As I said to Eloise, I’m doing the chop (with the massage) and so far I’ve been cramp free. We do 6-8 on each foot. I can certainly feel the vibration. I don’t know of any scientific explanation but he is already there doing the leg rub so a bit of ‘chop-chop’ is not much more effort. It’s non-invasive, non-chemical and free.
I’d love to know if anyone else has had success with it alone. (No other treatment).

I use Theraworx. I follow the instructions and by the time it is dry i am back to bed and sleep fine. If it is a really bad night might have to repeat later but that has been only one time and I have used it for years. I use the foam not the spray as can not use spray can lost use of hand , very weak.

I found this topic very interesting for I’ve been suffering with major cramps in bed. So bad I can still feel the soreness they create the next day. I work out most days and have become a very anxious stressed out person which I think may contribute to leg cramps. I’ve read about volteran since it was prescribed for my osteoarthritis in my hands but seems like there are side affects so haven’t tried it but I’ll try the karate chops and plug in my heating pad. Ooohhhh…they really hurt a lot. Thanks for brining this topic up so it can be addressed.

Drink more water - when I get leg cramps, I think about the day before and notice I didn't drink much water that day. Whenever I drink enough water I don't get leg cramps.

I have read that stress can be a factor. I tried Valium (muscle relaxant) but in older people (over 65) it can cause a ‘paradoxical reaction’ - which means it has the opposite effect - causes cramps.
I used to crave sugar in the afternoon - not eating sugar 8 hours before bed and not drinking alcohol 3 hours before bed helps too.
Always turn your electric blanket off before getting into bed (just warm the foot part).
Massage your calf ankle to knee (hands or a small foam roller).
If you have been taking magnesium as a cure for a long time take that back to half dose (and get your blood levels tested for magnesium and B6).
As for the karate chops (I was sceptical) last night I did my usual routine but forgot the chops. At 4am just the soles of both my feet cramped. A quick few chops on each and the stopped. That still puzzles me, but hey, it worked.
Having been where you are I know how painful these are. Just anticipating them creates anxiety.
I’m finally getting some good sleep. Still testing and trying to get the process as short and simple as possible. Hydration and low sugar is a big one.
I’m trying to treat the cause not the symptom.
This is a caring group. Let us know how you get on.
(I’m in Australia).

I believe you have the answer to the cause and it’s going to be hard, but I have to stop the sugar. I too crave sugar all afternoon and really over do it lately. Probably keeping me awake as well. There’s program at my workout club that has a course in stopping sugar so I’ll sign up. Sugar is everywhere - probably worse here in the U.S.

It’s high addictive. Sugar is a physical fix for tiredness (but then causes tiredness). It also a physiological fix that soothes our inner child when we are sad or anxious.
It’s also a habit.
I have coffee, 2 shortbread cookies and dark chocolate (about 4 small squares) for breakfast. That’s it. I might have a sweet bun late morning (once or twice a week) but I have a firm rule of no sugar after noon.
If you get cravings early afternoon keep a boiled egg in the fridge or if you are at home an egg in a frypan. I find that satisfies long term.
Good luck. It sounds easy but giving up sugar is very difficult (definitely worth the frustration and aggravation). I had to admit I was basically a drug addict and had to break the cycle.
If you can achieve ‘nothing to eat or drink (other than water) 3 hours before bed’ that’s a good goal. Then keep working backwards til you reach the goal of noon!
It is worth it.