Foot balm for my daughters growing pains- recommendations for any other natural !
Question:
Foot balm for my daughters growing pains- recommendations for any other natural products?
I massage 'Perfect potion cooling foot and leg lotion' from the Body Shop for my three yr old daughter growing pains in her feet/legs however for such a small bottle it is quite expensive. has anyone else used a similar product that is good quality that is more reasonably priced.
I have to massage this in every night before bed - otherwise she wakes up in the middle of the night with leg cramps and sometimes finds it hard to walk.
Otherwise does anyone have any other home remedies - that may be of assistance?
Answers:
I look into her diet. It might be a sign of nutrition deficiency.Low levels of certain minerals known as electrolytes - magnesium, potassium, calcium and sodium - have long been linked to leg cramps.
Treatment & Prevention
I wouldn't advise of giving supplements to a 3-year-old, but the best approach is having more Mg, K, Ca, sodium- rich foods.
As someone mentioned above:
Add one or two cups of epsom salts to warm bath water for a soothing foot - soak.
It's magnesium sulfate and very useful.
P.S. - for adults, and older kids
When cramping occurs, try walking on the affected leg and then elevate it. Stretch your calf by grabbing your toes and pulling them upward toward your knee, especially with you leg extended straight. Take a hot shower or warm bath, or apply an ice massage to the cramped muscle.
To prevent cramping consider the regular use of supplements, especially calcium, magnesium, potassium and sodium (only if your sodium intake is low or if you sweat a lot). Stretching your calves regularly during the day and at night will help. You can often prevent night cramps by exhausting the stretch reflex before you go to bed by stretching your calf muscles with wall pushups and applying a heating pad for 10 minutes before going to bed. Keeping blankets loose at the foot of the bed will help prevent unnatural positioning of your feet and toes which can cause night time cramping.