TOPIC: HEY! What are you doing?

oh yes - heating pads are a must...<br /><br />And I too am not sure there is a cure out there...these things strike me as a fact of growing up.<br /><br />I'm just fishing for any crazy ideas that might be a cure for the painful wake ups happening.  Thanks all!

As someone who used to get those (thanks to having monster calves that I've been told have to be seen to be believed), calcium is a GREAT boon.  Since calcium (through a complex biochemical process) is used to make your muscles contract, it helps immensely.<br /><br />Milk also helps with acid reflux as well since it actually neutralizes some of the acidity.  <br /><br />Fun times...

See we are pretty sure this is not muscle related - because every time this happens the kids point to the knee cap or the side of the knee...not much muscle tissue in those two places.<br /><br />And if the logic is that a heating pad helps muscles to relax - isn't contracting muscles then counter productive?

I was going to suggest stretching which is a huge help for things like charley horses, but if it's not muscle cramps then something like calcium for the bones or vitamin d (which is good for joints)n would probably be better to try.

graci!

Are they having like burning and pin prick pains?  Or more generic type ala cramps?<br /><br />Most people's suggestions here are all related to muscles being overworked and creating lactic acids, etc.<br /><br />It may be that they may have pinched nerves and such.  Good flexibility stretching will help, but it needs to be diagnosed by a real doctor first to see if maybe a spine alignment may be needed to relieve compressions.  I know I get these constantly now, but the specialist did not specify a treatment yet.  Regular doctor will tell me in November.

The kids DR says - growing pains...heat pad and potassium I think was the only thing.<br /><br />No burning or pin prickles...it is a solid intense ache!

<br />Might want to think about seeing a chiropracter - the ladies at work swear by them.  Just don't pick one with a bone through his nose....<br /><br />

Not a believer in any good coming out of a chiropracter...especially for kids!

<br />Ah, then I won't mention acupuncture.

you know - I'd believe more in that VS chiro quacks...<br /><br />Stick me with a needle any day over getting yanked and cranked!

My wife swears by her chiro treatments.  Gotta be careful to find a good one, though.<br />