A friend of mine learned of an interesting remedy for nighttime leg cramps from a practitioner of acupuncture and acupressure. The remedy: when the cramp begins press thumb and forefinger on your upper lip directly beneath your nose and squeeze together laterally for 30 seconds.

It sounds weird, but my friend is a honest, level headed person, and she says that it works for her – every time.

Has anyone else used this remedy? So strange that squeezing your upper lip so would stop a leg cramp.

I too used to suffer from nighttime leg cramps. My remedy is more conventional – daily magnesium and selenium supplements. I’m tempted to try the acupressure method though.

Or take 2 teaspoons of mustard.

Yes! That's Governing Vessel 26 (GV26). I knew what this thread was about before I clicked.

I've suffered from muscle cramps all my life. Not just night cramps, any time. I discovered this method not too long ago. I was amazed how well it works, and how quickly- pretty much immediate relief.

I usually just press my forefinger on that point, although you can also do the pinch. Doesn't really take that much pressure.

My understanding was direct pressure there and not the pinch. I didn't know the pinch would work too.

I'll try that. Been taking Calm (a Calcium/Magnisium supplement) which has worked excellent. I prefer the non-flavored one and put juice in it, but Costco only has carried the overly sweetened fake sugar crap (which I still use because it works for me).

https://www.amazon.com/Natural...m%2Caps%2C265&sr=8-6

Worth a try. Not much to lose.

You have to wonder how this discovery was made. Most people would go to the pain source, rub, poke, stretch, etc. Thanks for sharing.

I have two sisters who relieve leg cramps by putting a bar of soap in the bed with them. Must be Ivory. We have had a couple discussions about the method of this actually making a difference that end in "it works!" so I just avoid for now. Especially after learning that one puts it in a baggie so she doesn't get soap on the sheets.....

I swear I'm not making that up.

Now anytime they bring it up, I just grab the Windex, spray some on my elbow or knee and start rubbing.

I've always heard that it had to be lye soap. Although how the magic escapes from the baggie continues to elude me.

Thanks! I knew this and had forgotten it when I was jolted out of sleep last week by as bad a cramp as I've had. It was a desperate several moments until the cramp played out and I'm yelling "What was that I'm supposed to pinch?!".

A bad cramp is weird, I laugh while one goes on, knowing as bad as it is, it'll pass I guess. Other shock pains can make me laugh as I suffer, stubbing my toe or a grazing shot to the nuts. Not bragging, just weird.

I tried the soap thing. Did NOT work. The acupressure does.

quote:

Originally posted by 4MUL8R:
You have to wonder how this discovery was made. Most people would go to the pain source, rub, poke, stretch, etc. Thanks for sharing.

There's whole discussions on how acupuncture/acupressure was discovered. Usually the prescribed points are nowhere near the affected area. You'll hear people say that physicians treating an arrow wound noticed that some other condition cleared up. I think there has to be something more than that, but not sure what.

I have always put acupuncture and acupressure in the category of "it can't hurt, and if it works, why not." It may not be scientifically rigorous as we don't know the mechanism of efficacy, but it can't hurt, and . . .

Soap in a bag?

It's supposed to be soap somewhere in your bed to release whatever into your bedding (Magnesium? Lavender? Negative ions?) I don't know about putting it inside a plastic bag.

Many people swear by it. As I mentioned, it did nothing for me.

Thankfully while mental illness can be inherited, it doesn't cross over siblings when it seems to have developed after birth.

Shit I don't know, but the last time they brought it up is just listened since I had hurt their feelings the prior discussion.

Thanks, OP!

Had a leg cramp start up this early AM, and sure enough, pinching the upper lip as noted above stopped it cold.

Didn't have to pinch too hard, even.

^Works good, don't it? Like flipping a switch.

That point can also be used for memory and mental alertness, and even to resuscitate someone.

I haven't had any lately, but I have gotten some bad ones. They would even wake me out of a sound sleep. The worst are the ones that try to pull my toes up against my shins. They are not only painful, but that leg is useless until they pass, and it lasts for over 10 minutes.