Severe leg cramps: How do you relax severe leg cramps?

I have severe leg cramping/pain several times a day caused by a very rear spine condition. Like you said, my toes lock, curl... too.
The things that I do are to use heating pads on my lower (lumbar) back area as well as the back of my upper (thigh) and lower leg area. Plus, I find that when I spread "Theraworx" foam all over the cramping areas it helps a little bit. I usually have to reapply the foam in about a half hour. Doing these 2 things doesn't eliminate the cramping and pain, but it does lessen it for me. Theraworx also comes in a spray liquid. I personally like the foam better then the liquid spray. Therawork is an over the counter product sold in most stores like CVS, Walgreen... and most markets too. I hope this helps you if you choose to try it. With peace-filled wishes - mmata

Im 31 years old and I have had a mysterious right calf cramp 24/7 since 2021. The cramp has turned into a medical mystery. My best relief is walking, and inactivity is the worst. I was prescribed carbidopa-levodopa aka Parkinson's medication, it has helped with the daily pain and calf stiffness, but people my age do not fit the criteria for carbidopa-levodopa. I also use a product called Mountain Ice that helps on the very bad days. I alos use Chirp Halo which is a cordless TENS unit.

I battle them myself. In fact, I have experienced one night of cramps all over my body. Couldn’t move because it would trigger another cramp. Nothing was working until my husband got one of his large frozen water bottles he keeps for travel. He rolled that thing everywhere. At first, I thought it silly but I also felt bad for him because he desperately wants to help me. Soon after, I noticed a calming effect, which helped. And eventually I made it back to the bed and chugged down some water along with a couple Magnesium Glycinate tablets.
My biggest challenge is staying hydrated. Tonight I’m concerned because I’ve had quite a few finger spasms today and before bed. I’m drinking water which means I’ll be up tonight. But I did take my magnesium, and I have a few cold packs in the freezer. I don’t know if this helps at all, but I do feel for you!

@jjbgood61
I have had cramp in my right calf 24/7 since 2021. Over the years I have tried a number of products to try and get some sort of relief. Cold packs help me sometimes. I order some disposable cold packs off Amazon around $30 for 24. A lot more convenient than the freezer version. You can keep them near your bed bring them on go and when feel like you need one crush the bag shake and you have cold pack. The I one order on Amazon is MED PRIDE Disposable Instant Cold Packs for First Aid, Pain Relief, Swelling, Sprains, Injuries, No Freezer Needed (6x9 Inch (Pack of 24) Clear)

I have the same problem from neuropathy. I have found that drinking water daily helps tremendously. I try to drink 32-64 ounces daily. I usually have cramps if I don’t hydrate each day. I stop about 5 hours before bed.

Definitely not a preventative or cure, but for immediate temporary relief, my wife and I would spray Biofreeze on the cramp area, and it would allow us to go back to sleep. I made the mistake of using the Biofreeze cream and then inadvertently wiped my eyes later. The menthol in the product burned.

Try heat, I’ve been there and tried everything a physical therapist advised me to try heat/ heating pad and it helped.

I recommended a calf sleeve from Incrediwear. I just recently bought one after my PM&R doctor recommended it and it has done wonders for me. Incrediwear is quite different from anything else on the market because it does not use compression at all in order to work, so it does NOT need to be tight. Since it is not a compression garment, Incrediwear should just rest comfortably on the skin like a sock. As long as it's not compressive, it can safely be worn 24/7, and the more it is worn, the more effective it will be. Incrediwear actually recommend that people sleep in the product.

Thirty years ago when I reported night time leg cramps, my ob/gyn recommended trying magnesium citrate. He said I would know if I was taking too much if I developed diarrhea. I mentioned that I had decided to avoid the side effects I got from milk and other dairy products. He recommended calcium citrate. I took 1300 mg calcium citrate and 650 mg magnesium citrate, about a third each at mealtimes, for years. When the cramps returned, I added 50 mg magnesium glycinate (I couldn't find small doses of magnesium citrate). I think there may be an added benefit--I find it easier to fall asleep if I take the glycinate at bedtime.

I take liquid quinine that I buy on Amazon.