When can you do something about the muscle cramp?

Dr. Jona Ober explains in the video what you can do about a muscle cramp. When a muscle suddenly contracts painfully, it is called a muscle cramp. However, this does not originate from a muscle at all, but rather from the nerve that controls the muscle. Our brain sends electrical impulses to the muscles via the nerve cells, thereby signaling relaxation or tension. If the nerve cells send uncontrolled signals to contract a muscle, we perceive the process of flooded impulses as a painful spasm. This is because not only does the muscle contract, but the pain receptors in this area are also excited. Such a muscle spasm can last from a few seconds to several minutes.