What Exactly Is a Nighttime Leg Cramp?
Let’s start with a clear definition.
A nocturnal leg cramp is a sudden, involuntary, painful contraction of a muscle that occurs while you’re resting or sleeping. It most commonly affects the calf muscles (gastrocnemius and soleus), but can also strike the hamstrings (back of the thigh), quadriceps (front of the thigh), or small muscles in the feet.
What it feels like: A hard, tight knot of muscle that you can sometimes see bulging under your skin. The pain can range from mildly uncomfortable to excruciating. Most cramps last from a few seconds to several minutes, but the soreness can linger for hours or even days afterward.
What it is NOT: Night cramps are different from Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS). RLS causes an uncomfortable urge to move the legs, often described as crawling, tingling, or pulling sensations. Night cramps are painful, involve actual muscle tightening, and usually wake you up.
