Charley Horse Name Origin

Charley Horse Name Origin, A “Charley horse” or “Charlie horse,” also known as a “Tommy horse,” is a popular North American colloquial term for painful spasms or cramps in the leg muscles, typically lasting anywhere from a few seconds to a few hours. It can also refer to a bruising of the quadriceps muscle of the anterior or lateral thigh, or contusion of the femur, that commonly results in a hematoma and sometimes several weeks of pain and disability. Such an injury is known in the United Kingdom, United States, and many Commonwealth countries as a dead leg, granddaddy, or chopper. In Australia it is also known as a corked thigh or “corky.” It often occurs in sports when an athlete’s limb moves in a way it shouldn’t, in a manner like the kick of a horse, perhaps the reason for its name. The condition is common among hockey players.

Another nuance for the term “charley horse” is used to describe simple painful muscle cramps in the leg or foot, especially those that follow strenuous exercise. These muscle cramps can have many possible causes including hormonal imbalances, dehydration, low levels of potassium or calcium in the blood, side effects of medication, or, more seriously, diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and neuropathy. They are also a common complaint during pregnancy while elderly.

Relief is usually given by either massaging or stretching the foot, ankle or knee in the opposite direction of the spasm.

Dietary defenciency of potassium may also cause these spasms. A simple way to increase potassium levels is to consume one average size banana.

The term may date back to American slang of the 1880s, possibly from the pitcher Charlie “Old Hoss” Radbourn who is said to have suffered from cramps.

In Norway, it is referred to as a l?rh?ne (thigh hen), in the Netherlands as an ijsbeen (ice leg) and in France as a béquille (crutch). In Portugal, it is known as a paral?tica, roughly translated to “paralyzer”. In Brazil it has become known as “tost?o” or “paulistinha”. In Japan it is known as komuragaeri (??“?‚€?‚‰è?”?‚??), which is literally “cramp in the calf”. In northeastern Italy, it is commonly called a lopez, while in the northwest it is called vecchia (old woman) or dura (“hard one” or “tough one”); in the south of the country, instead, it is called morso di ciuccio (donkey bite). In some areas of central Italy, it is called opossum. In Israel it is called Regel Etz which means wooden leg. It is called chaca (rat) in the Chamorro language of Guam and the Mariana Islands..

Charley Horse Caused By Strenuous Workout, Heels, Lack Of Potassium

Charley Horse Caused By Strenuous Workout, Heels, Lack Of Potassium, A charley horse is a type of muscle spasm that most frequently occurs in the leg, though it can occur in any muscle. Hot weather and exercise can both cause a charley horse to occur. Charley horses can also happen during the night while a person is sleeping. In all cases, the charley horse is typically caused by dehydration and lack of potassium.

In order to prevent a charley horse, a person should stretch before engaging in exercise. In addition, the workout routine should be modified appropriately to ensure it is not too strenuous. Drinking fluids while exercising, particularly those that increase potassium, also helps prevent a charley horses. Eating bananas also helps increase potassium levels.

If a charley horse does occur, soaking in a tub of warm water with some Epsom salts added can help ease the pain. Typically, it is best to soak for about twenty to thirty minutes in order to obtain results. Simply rubbing the charley horse can also relieve the pain. It is important always to rub with the muscle that has been affected by the charley horse, rather than across it. If the charley horse occurs in the calf, which is one of the most common spots for it to occur, it is best to rub from behind the knee toward the heel.

Since dehydration and lack of potassium can cause a charley horse, drinking water and eating foods with potassium can sometimes help to make it go away. Similarly, stretching – particularly the calf – can help make the pain and the spasm subside.

Another remedy for a charley horse is to cut up three small lemons, one small grapefruit, and two small oranges and place them in a blender, peels and all. After blending these together, add a teaspoon of cream of tartar and blend again. This mixture helps to relieve the stiffness associated with a charley horse. Two tablespoons of the mixture should be taken orally along with two tablespoons of water twice a day. Ideally, one dose should be taken in the morning and another should be taken before going to bed.

Vitamin supplements can also help alleviate a charley horse, particularly if it is brought on by a vitamin deficiency. Taking 400 IU of vitamin E may also help.