charley horse
Sudden muscle seizing
A charley horse is a painful muscle cramp or spasm, typically in the leg.
The term is American and informal: I woke up with a charley horse in my calf.
The cause is usually overexertion, dehydration, or holding an awkward position too long.
Reduction in size
- tighteningMaking less loose
- knottingForming fixed interlacements
- seizingTaking forcible possession
- tensingMaking or becoming taut
clenching · spasm · twitch · convulsion · lockup · rigidity · stiffness · involuntary
Juvenile cow or leg part
- hamstringCripple or thigh muscle
- quadricepsFour-part thigh muscle
- thighLeg between hip, knee
- gastrocnemiusPrimary calf muscle
soleus · fibers · musculature · flexor · extensor · adductor · leg · myalgia
Excessive fluid loss
- electrolyte imbalanceAbnormal blood mineral levels
- overexertionHarmful excess of effort
- fatigueWeariness from prolonged exertion
- potassium deficiencyInadequate levels of K
magnesium deficiency · poor circulation · overuse · exertion · strain · lactic acid · sodium · calcium
Persistent dull discomfort
- throbbingRhythmic painful pulsing
- sorenessTender, painful sensation
- discomfortMild physical or mental distress
- sharpFine-edged, or astute
shooting · tenderness · twinge · pang · gnawing · burning · excruciating · agony
Extending muscles or material
- massageSoft tissue manipulation
- heatTransferred thermal energy
- iceWater's solid form
- hydrationBodily fluid replenishment
rest · rubbing · kneading · elevation · foam roller · banana · pickle juice · compression
contraction
Reduction in size
- tighteningMaking less loose
- knottingForming fixed interlacements
- seizingTaking forcible possession
tensing · clenching · spasm · twitch · convulsion · lockup · rigidity · stiffness · involuntary · cramping
calf
Juvenile cow or leg part
- hamstringCripple or thigh muscle
- quadricepsFour-part thigh muscle
- thighLeg between hip, knee
gastrocnemius · soleus · fibers · musculature · flexor · extensor · adductor · leg · myalgia
dehydration
Excessive fluid loss
- electrolyte imbalanceAbnormal blood mineral levels
- overexertionHarmful excess of effort
- fatigueWeariness from prolonged exertion
potassium deficiency · magnesium deficiency · poor circulation · overuse · exertion · strain · lactic acid · sodium · calcium
ache
Persistent dull discomfort
- throbbingRhythmic painful pulsing
- sorenessTender, painful sensation
- discomfortMild physical or mental distress
sharp · shooting · tenderness · twinge · pang · gnawing · burning · excruciating · agony · wincing
stretching
Extending muscles or material
hydration · rest · rubbing · kneading · elevation · foam roller · banana · pickle juice · compression · relaxation
athlete
Sports competitor
sideline · game · training · workout · bench · timeout · halftime · conditioning · warm-up · cooldown
- injuriesbruise, fracture, sprain, fractures, concussion
- body painache, aches, pain, pang, throb
- crampsmuscle cramp, leg cramp, calf cramp, foot cramp, menstrual cramp
- exercise injuriesmuscle strain, pulled muscle, sprain, sprains, muscle tear
- Horse Idiomshold your horses, workhorse, horseplay, horsing around, wild horses
- leg injuriesbroken leg, knee injury, hamstring strain, ACL tear, hamstring tear
charley horsemuscle relaxation
Softening of contracted fibers
suppleness · uncramped · pliability · looseness · flexibility