charlie horse
Painful muscle spasm
A charlie horse is a sudden, painful muscle cramp, typically in the leg.
The spasm strikes without warning and can last from seconds to minutes: I woke up with a charlie horse in my calf.
The term is informal and mainly American.
Also spelled charley horse.
Reduction in size
- tighteningMaking less loose
- knotTied rope fastening
- seizeTake suddenly, forcibly
- gripSecure manual hold
clench · spasm · twitch · lock · calf · thigh · hamstring · quadriceps
Persistent dull discomfort
- throbBeat with intensity
- sorenessTender, painful sensation
- sharpFine-edged, or astute
- intenseExtreme in degree
tenderness · discomfort · stinging · shooting · piercing · excruciating · agony · wincing
Excessive fluid loss
- electrolytesConducting ions in solution
- potassiumNineteenth element, symbol K
- magnesiumAlkaline earth metal
- sodiumEleventh element, highly reactive
overexertion · fatigue · overuse · strain · exercise · exertion · calcium · deficiency
contraction
Reduction in size
- tighteningMaking less loose
- knotTied rope fastening
- seizeTake suddenly, forcibly
grip · clench · spasm · twitch · lock · calf · thigh · hamstring · quadriceps · nocturnal
ache
Persistent dull discomfort
intense · tenderness · discomfort · stinging · shooting · piercing · excruciating · agony · wincing · grimace
dehydration
Excessive fluid loss
- electrolytesConducting ions in solution
- potassiumNineteenth element, symbol K
- magnesiumAlkaline earth metal
sodium · overexertion · fatigue · overuse · strain · exercise · exertion · calcium · deficiency · imbalance
stretching
Extending muscles or material
- massageSoft tissue manipulation
- rubbingApplying pressure while moving
- kneadingManual dough development
heat · warmth · hydration · walking · flexing · relaxation · rest · recovery · compress · foam roller
- leg injuriesbroken leg, knee injury, hamstring strain, ACL tear, hamstring tear
- Sports Injuriesmuscle strain, tendonitis, ligament sprain, hamstring strain, stress fracture
- ailmentsache, aches, ailment, cold, flu
charlie horsemuscle relaxation
Softening of contracted fibers
limber · flexibility · stretched out · uncramped · pliability
horse, horses, horsed, horsing, horsey, horsy, horseman, horsemen, horsemanship