Why do have to massage the place where you are having a cramp????!
Question: i would really appreciate it if you gave me a scientific answer asap!!! thankyou
ps is it something to do with the lactic acid????
Answers: i would really appreciate it if you gave me a scientific answer asap!!! thankyou
ps is it something to do with the lactic acid????
When you massage the area, it will increase blood flow to that place. Blood carries oxygen. Cramps are caused by not enough oxygen, and thereby producing lactic acid. So more blood flow and more oxygen repays the oxygen debt and helps to get rid of the lactic acid.
The lactic acid causes the muscle to tense up and spazm,which is the cramp,so massaging it helps to relax the muscle and make the pain go away.
the first answer got it almost right, however it is because when you massage the area you are working the muscles which helps relax the muscles and work out the lactic acid, which releases the muscles from the cramp
This will get the blood circulating and it will warm up the area. Sometimes if you get cold , like sleeping with your leg uncovered it will cramp. They can be very painful when that muscle cramps and need to massage it right away
increase blood flow.
If you massage the area where you are having a cramp it increases blood flow to the area, because the blood vessels become dilated, and can then bring more blood and oxygen in and remove waste products such as lactic acid back to the liver to be broken down. That being said, lactic acid does not usually contribute to the cramp itself, it is just a byproduct of anaerobic (without oxygen) metabolism.
Cramps sometimes have to do with calcium ion imbalances because the calcium causes the muscle to contract, and as long as calcium is being released onto the active sites of the muscle fiber, the muscle will not relax. Other times they have to do with the nerve to muscle spindle connection. The nerve may be overstimulated and causing a signal to be sent to the muscle to contract. Sometimes this cramp can be broken simply by contracting the muscle that is cramping (so use the muscle that is cramping) This may reset the spindle and cause the muscle to relax. Still other times it is due to electrolyte imbalances (too much or too little sodium or potassium) in the area of the cramp.
Increasing blood flow to the area by massage or pumping of the muscle allows the body to normalize the ion concentration in the area of the cramp with the rest of the body which stops the cramp.