It’s probable that we have all experienced that horrible tightening of a calf muscle followed by the screamingly awful pain that can only be relieved if we intensify the agony by stretching our leg and vigorously rubbing at the taught, tortured muscle.

But what causes leg cramps?

They can be due to several things such as tiredness, or dehydration. But more likely leg cramps are a result of poor blood circulation.

What do we mean by poor blood circulation?

Poor blood circulation happens when something inhibits the intricate cardiovascular system that delivers blood, oxygen and nutrients to all parts of the body. If the heart, veins, arteries, capillaries and other blood vessels are healthy, the cells receive all their needs efficiently.

7 Symptoms of Poor Blood Circulation

1. Muscle cramping – abrupt and uncontrolled tightening of one of the muscles, often in the legs and at night when in bed
2. Heavy legs – a horrible feeling of pain and heaviness in the legs, including stiffness and tiredness
3. Numb legs – sensation of prickly or pins and needles in the calves and thighs. May not feel a touch, pain, or cold/hot temperatures on a the leg
4. Swollen legs – ankles, feet and legs swelling is a accumulation of fluid in these areas. Can be caused by standing/sitting too long in the one position
5. Leg pain – can be continuous or sporadic, can arise abruptly or slowly, can impact the whole leg or one part such as shin or knee. The pain can be — sharp or dull, achy or burning
6. Cold extremities – can affect feet or toes, can cause a changes skin colour on the hands, can lead to dullness or prickly skin, lead to open sores or blisters, and stretched or toughened skin
7. Varicose veins – typified by enlarged and expanded veins that usually occur on the legs and feet. Are often blue or purple and can look bulgy or twisted

8 Top tips for Improving Blood Circulation

1. Walking – an easy, zero cost and low impact endeavour that helps promote an active and healthy lifestyle
2. Stretching – a mode of exercise that focuses on a specific muscle (or muscle group) and works to improve the muscle’s elasticity and tone to improve power and flexibility
3. Position your body – best bodily posture, for instance when standing, if possible, remain as upright as possible, face forward, with the legs straight and feet set parallel to one another. Arms straight at either side and the palms turned to look forward
4. Wear compression socks – these apply pressure to legs, and help encourage blood flow and reduce pain and puffiness. You see our deals on the best compression socks by clicking here
5. Stop smoking – this single achievement will reduce the risk of premature death and improve reproductive health, cardiovascular health, and reduce incidence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
6. Manage your stress – doing this will help encourage a happier, healthier, and more productive life
7. Use:

Revitive Gel for use with the Revitive Ultrasound Therapy Device. Using the Gel will reduce friction while using the machine and assist the transmission of ultrasonic waves deep into the tissue

or Revitive cream – specially created to hydrate and relieve extremely dry and cracked feet. REVITIVE foot and leg cream assists the electrical stimulation of the footpads of the REVITVE circulation booster to pass even easily through your skin

8. Use a circulation booster like the Revitive New Medic Circulation Booster – helps to combat leg aches and pains, to improve blood flow, ease muscle cramp and swelling, and help you stay mobile and active

Conclusion

If you don’t do something about your bad circulation, it won’t get better on its own. It might even get worse.

Unsurprisingly, a healthy diet and regular appropriate exercise can help.

These and other measures will boost circulation in the legs and feet by driving nutrient-rich, oxygenated blood to the critical areas – this in turn can help relieve achy-feeling legs as well as reducing swelling feet and ankles.

Electrical stimulation reduces pain, improves circulation, and strengthens muscles and repairs tissue. We recommend the Revitive ultrasound therapy products, which are clinically proven to improve circulation during use. In particular, the Revitive Medic Circulation Booster®, developed and tested by physiotherapists and cardiovascular surgeons, improves circulation by stimulating the muscles in your legs and feet.