Are you troubled by leg cramps?
Leg cramps are common, harmless, and typically last for a short amount of time anywhere from a few seconds to up to 10 minutes. Most people tend to have them at night or when resting. Leg cramps occur when a muscle in the leg tightens and causes sudden pain which makes it hard to move. Cramps typically affect the calf muscles or the back of the leg but occasionally can impact feet or thighs.
While massage doesn’t replace medical advice in the case of leg camps massage may offer additional support with the symptoms.
Massage may
- Promote blood circulation.
- Ease muscle tension.
- Enhance flexibility.
Regular massage sessions may potentially reduce the frequency and intensity of leg cramp symptoms. In addition regularly stretching the muscles that cramp may help prevent the cramps or reduce their frequency or intensity.
Related Posts

Myofascia – part 2
Last week I explained what myofascia is and how it can become restricted from, for example, poor posture. How to identify Myofascial Restrictions? It is important to acknowledge that it is difficult to diagnose myofascial restrictions as they do not show up on standard tests (x-rays, myelograms, CAT scans, electromyography etc). Massage therapists utilise their palpation skills to find myofascial restrictions. For example fascial drag, this is a very light press & slow technique to allow the therapist to feel the restrictions in the fascia. Who treats Myofascial Restrictions?
- Myofascial Release – Originated in the 1940’s. It is a specialised physical and manual therapy used for the effective treatment and rehabilitation of soft tissue and fascial tension and restrictions. John Barns a physical therapist based in the US is one of today’s leading lights in the world of myofascial release.
- Rolfing – Dr Ida Rolf, started working with client in the 1930’s and by the 1950’s was teaching her work under the name of Rolfing . A physical therapy which aims to release stress patterns from the body. It is normally to require a series of treatment often up to 10.
- Massage – massage therapists utilise direct and indirect technique to address Myofascial restrictions.

Are acupressure points the same as trigger points?
In last week's article entitled Why do your muscles hurt? I explained what trigger points were. In this article I want to explain the difference between acupressure points and trigger points. Acupressure points (are the same points used by Acupuncturists) are situated on the meridians. With acupressure they are stimulated by the application of pressure from the fingers & elbows to relieve
- pain
- muscular tension
- headaches

Why does massage help so much?
In a previous post I outlined some of the benefits of the 15 minutes Seated Acupressure Neck & Shoulder massage including the scientific evidence for these claims. But I think their is one benefit that stands out above these.
I know in my previous life as an IT project manage, several times I spent most of a day trying to fix a problem and I just couldn't find a solution. I had a tendency to get caught up in a problem and its just frustrating -- it can literally stress you out. When you're stressed out, it's harder to think clearly. Emotional stress can send your problem-solving skills into a tailspin. To make matters worse I used to flip over that fine line between being focused on solving the problem and obsessing over it.
The trick to break this cycle is to shift your focus. The purpose of shifting your focus is to temporarily get your mind off whatever challenge has it tied up in knots. So when you come back to it you have are re-energised and have a fresh perspective.
Going for a massage, shifts your focus to your body releases anxiety and the seated acupressure massage energises you & improves your mental alertness. So I found it an ideal way of breaking the cycle of mentally obsessing over problems when I worked in IT.

