What’s Cramping Your Style?

George wrote me last week that he was having a lot
of trouble sleeping. It seemed that his leg and hand
cramps were causing a lot of problems. 
Hear's what he said," 
Dear Dr. Wu, I been having cramps in my hands and feet
for the last few months and they seem to be
escalating. I changed my diet, increased the
vitamins, I have been taking a close look at what
I may have changed in my lifestyle. What I noticed
is I have been working outside doing more
gardening in the hot sun. Do you think it could be the heat?'
Its more than I have been for a few years, but I never
got cramps from that. 
What do you think I can do about it?
 
Here is my reply:

George, there are a few reasons for cramps. It
could be that you are overusing your muscles, or
dehydration, muscle strain, or simply holding a
position for a prolonged period. In many cases,
however, the cause isn't known for sure. Although
most muscle cramps are harmless, some may be
related to an underlying medical condition like
narrowing of the arteries that deliver blood to
your legs, compression of nerves in your spine
(lumbar stenosis), lacking of minerals such as
potassium, calcium, or magnesium in your diet.

When I am seeing a patient who displays symptoms
like you have, I start thinking about the tendons
and their flexibility and agility. Are you
practicing Qi Gong? How many days a week? I'd
suggest you start practicing daily. This will help
or completely eliminate the problem.
http://rechargingqigong.com/flying-crane-qi-gong.html
 
If you come to my office, I'll most likely start
looking at a lot of specific things like some
coldness or dampness in your body, or maybe it can
be coming from blood or Qi deficiency. In that
case, acupuncture and moxibustion can effectively
suppress hyperactive muscles. In Traditional
Chinese Medicine (TCM), leg cramps are mainly due
to coldness stimulation as well as improper blood
and Qi activities of the legs. Acupuncture can
play a role to promote circulation, loosen the
tendons, alleviate cramps, and ease pain. 

But before you flip out with all the different 
things I'd, get a copy of The Flying
Crane Qigong
http://rechargingqigong.com/flying-crane-qi-gong.html
and start practicing. Within a few weeks, you
should be able to get a good night sleep and
kick those cramps out of your body forever.
 
I wish you the best in your Health, Wealth and
Happiness.
 

Dr. Wu Dhi