Abstract

Muscle health is important because it allows you to move easily and strengthens your body. Strong muscles allow you to enjoy sports, dancing, swimming, running, walking and other enjoyable activities. Strong muscles protect and maintain the health of our joints. For example, if your muscles are weak and you experience an incident such as falling to the ground, your bones will be injured. Keep your muscles strong to keep the bones in your body healthy. There are many diseases affecting your muscles, and we will discuss a specific disease Charley Horse in the following article, along with its Ayurvedic viewpoint and Ayurvedic top management.

Introduction

Charley horse is a muscle spasm which may occur in any muscle but most commonly affects the legs. These Muscle spasms are characterized by Muscle Contractions. If the contractions do not come back to relaxation for a few seconds or more then the pain gets more and more severe. The severe condition of Charley Horse leads to muscle soreness which lasts from a few hours to a few days. This condition is normal if the pain does not remain for a long time or reoccur. In general these muscle spasms are manageable at home if they are rare. However, frequent contractions of the muscles are frequently associated with underlying ailments that necessitate medical attention. Your doctor can assist you in determining the source of your recurring charley horses. You can also use interventions and preventative steps to improve your comfort.

Causes Of Charley Horse

A muscle cramp or spasm can be caused by a variety of factors. The following are the most prevalent causes:

• Insufficient supply of blood to the muscles
• Muscle Injuries
• Working out in extreme heat or cold
• Overuse of a particular muscle throughout physical activity
• Stress, most commonly in the neck skeletal muscle
• If you don’t stretch before going for any physical activity. 
• A spinal nerve compression
• Excessive intake of diuretics, which can cause low levels of potassium
• Dehydration
• Mineral deficiency, or a lack of calcium, sodium and potassium in the blood

Many people have charley horses while sleeping and get up as a result of them. It is common to have muscle spasms resulting in charley horses while being asleep. However, the reason for these late-night spams is unknown. Long periods of lying in uncomfortable positions in bed are thought to play a role.

Risk Factors Of Charley Horse

Muscle spasms may affect anyone during any age. Charley horses may appear at any point of day or night.

Charley horses are more common in the following specific groups of people:

• Being over 60: Nocturnal cramps in the legs affect around 37 percent of Americans who are over the age of 60.
• Chronic renal failure: Around 50% of individuals with persistent renal failure suffer from cramping of the muscles, particularly in the legs.
• Being pregnant: Cramps in the muscles affect about fifty percent of pregnant women, particularly at night.
• People with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) have a 95% possibility to get muscle cramps.
• Being diabetic: Muscle cramps affect approximately 60% of individuals with type 1 diabetes. The figure for individuals with type 2 diabetes is around 80%.

Acute calf pain can occur for reasons other than cramps. These are some examples:

• Deep vein thrombosis
• Trauma
• A ruptured Baker’s Cyst

Diagnosis Of Charley Horse

A formal medical evaluation is not required for the periodic charley horse. However, recurring cramps in the muscles should be investigated by your doctor. This would be the case if a charley horse occurred more than once per week lacking a suitable explanation.A diagnosis is usually possible on the basis of your medical record and your physical examination. MRI scans can be useful in finding out if frequent charley horses are caused by nerve compression. An MRI device creates an in-depth picture of the body's internal organs by using a field of magnets and radio frequencies. To rule out low potassium, magnesium, or calcium levels, laboratory work may be required. If your doctor observes damage to the nerves or another combination of causes, you may be addressed to a physical therapy practitioner or another medical professional.

When an individual visits a doctor with a charley horse issue, the doctor can ask about their signs and symptoms, which could involve the following:

• What cramping feels like as well as where it happens
• When cramps occur, how frequently they occur, and how long they last
• What is the severity of the cramps
• Whether they've just recently begun
• What the individual's routines for exercise are
• Whether the individual has any other symptoms, medical conditions, or is taking any medication

Ayurvedic View Of Charley Horse

Charley Horses are referred to as Khalli Roga according to conventional Ayurvedic texts. This term refers to an aggravated "Vata dosha," or bodily energy associated with motion, within the "mamsa," or the muscles.

Common Causes of Vata Dosha aggravation: Intake of dry, cold, botter, astringent and pungent food. Intake of very less amount of diet, intake of incompatible food, fasting, stress, fear, swimming, trauma, etc. If these causes lead to Vata Dosha aggravation in the Mamsa Dhatu (Muscle tissues) it may cause various symptoms.

Symptoms may include:

खल्ली तु पादजङ्घोरुकरमुलावमोटनी।।

which means in Khalli roga vitiated Vata Dosha leads to cramping in Ankle joints, knee joints, thighs and wrist joints.

Line of treatment for Khalli Roga

• Abhyanga: Abhyanga is a type of massage that uses warm oil. The oil is used to apply to your whole body, from the top of your head to your toes. It helps in reducing stress in muscles, reducing Vata Dosha thus relieving cramps. 
• Swedana: Swedana is a steam therapy that is explained in Ayurvedic medicine. Sweda originates from the Sanskrit phrase swid, which means "to perspire or sweat. Swedana is the technique of producing sweat through the use of steam produced by herbal decoctions. It balances Vata Dosha, increases blood circulation, reduces muscle soreness, etc which relieves cramps.
• Mardan: Mardan is an application of additional intense pressure to the body's tissues following the regional application of oil, lepa, etc. This is beneficial for people who have a tough body and a lot of muscle. It aids in muscular fatigue, neurological pain, and body lightness.
• Upanaha: Upnaha is a type of Swedana which is basically known as an application of Poultice. In this procedure medicinal herbs are tied in  cloth which must be in semisolid form. Apply this poultice on an affected area. It helps in pacifying Vata Dosha, reduces inflammation and soreness in the muscles thus helps in reducing symptoms of Charley Horse or Khalli Roga.
• Classical Ayurvedic formulations for Khalli Roga: Mahayograj Guggul, Angitundi Vati, Dashmoolarisht, etc.

Herbal Remedies By Planet Ayurveda For Charley Horse

Planet Ayurveda is one of the herbal companies that developed their own ayurvedic remedies and has been serving people all over the world for over 20 years. This herbal company's products are all prepared under the strict supervision of M.D. Ayurveda practitioners. These products are ISO, GMP, and WHO certified, as well as US FDA certified. Their formulations are free of additives and preservatives such as fillers, colors, raisins, starch, gums, and so on, and thus produce no side effects. The following are herbal remedies by Planet Ayurveda for Charley Horse. Let's take a look!!!!!

1. BOSWELLIA CURCUMIN
2. DAILY ESSENTIALS
3. ASHWAGANDHA CAPSULES
4. DHANWANTHARAM TAILAM

Products Description

1. Boswellia Curumin

Boswellia Curcumin are the capsule formulation of Planet Ayurveda which includes the standardized extracts of herbs Shallaki (Boswellia serrata) and Curcumin (Curcuma longa). Both these herbs help in reducing pain in Charley Horse due to its strong analgesic properties. These capsules also consist of antispasmodic properties which helps in managing the main symptom of this condition which is cramps.

Doasge: 1 capsule twice daily after meals.

2. Daily Essentials

Daily essentials is a polyherbal capsule formulation of Planet Ayurveda. This remedy is made up of standardized extract of herbs such as Grape seed (Vitis vinifera), Bhumi amla (Phyllanthus niruri), Green Tea (Camellia sinensis), etc. The ingredients of these capsules consist of miraculous antioxidant effects and promote blood circulation. It helps in maintaining potassium levels in the body and combat with mineral deficiency which are some of the causes of Charley Horse.

Dosage: 1 capsule twice daily with plain water after meals.

3. Ashwagandha Capsules

Ashwagandha Capsules are listed under the single herbal capsule formulation of Planet Ayurveda. These capsules are made up of standardized extract of herb Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera). Ashwagandha, also known as Indian ginseng, poison gooseberry or Indian winter cherry, is an effective immune booster. This herb is a powerful adaptogen, which means it is a safe herb that works on the neuroendocrine system in order to help normalize every part of the body. Beside this being a natural muscle relaxant helps in reducing cramps.

Dosage: 1 capsule twice daily with plain water after meals.

4. Dhanwantharam Tailam

Dhanwantharam Tailam is one of the ayurvedic oils which is used for external application only. This oil preparation includes various ingredients, some of these are Bala (Sida cordifolia), Amalaki (Emblica officinalis), Yashthimadhu (Glycyrrhiza glabra), Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) and various others. Application of this oil helps in reducing Vata dosha which is the main cause of cramps. Beside this the oil application helps in providing strength to the skeletal muscles which further prevents muscle cramps or Charley Horse.

Method Of Application: Take a few drops of oil and massage the affected area in the direction of hair growth, to be applied twice or thrice daily.

Conclusion

Charley horse is a muscle spasm which may occur in any muscle but most commonly affects the legs. Common Causes of Charley horse include - Insufficient supply of blood to the muscle, Muscle Injuries, Working out in extreme heat or cold, etc. There are various risk factors of this condition also which can be Being over 60, Chronic renal failure, Being pregnant, Being diabetic, etc. Also conditions such as Deep vein thrombosis, Trauma, A ruptured Baker's cyst may also be the reason for Charley Horse. So don't ignore cramps if they are occurring on a frequent basis. As per Ayurveda this condition is considered as khalli roga in which Vata dosha aggravation leads to cramping in Ankle joints, knee joints, thighs and wrist joints. The line of treatment as per Ayurveda mostly includes various local therapies such as Abhyanga, Swedana, Mardana, Upnaha, etc. Along with this various Ayurvedic formulations of pacifying Vata Dosha can be used. On the other side Planet Ayurveda provides various remedies which helps in relieving Charley Horses. In case of any queries kindly visit www.PlanetAyurveda.com