What Causes a Charley Horse?

Charley Horse

If you have ever had to jump out of bed in the middle of the night, feeling like your leg is about to break in half, you have likely experienced what some call a “Charley Horse.” It is a funny saying that has been used for over a century, and the intensity of the sensation becomes a memorable event. These spasms can hit you at any time causing pain that can last from a few seconds to several minutes and can feel like a lifetime. Dr. Aaron Workman, a member of one of the highest rated car accident medical care facilities in Lexington, talks about where the term Charley Horse likely originated, and what some of the causes may be.

The History:

There seems to be a few different theories to explain how a muscle spasm was named after a horse. The overall concept of origin seems to remain the same. The phrase was coined somewhere in the late 1800s and first utilized in reference to a horse that was limping while being used to maintain a baseball field. The horse’s name was Charley and when a player started limping due to a cramp or muscle spasm, they related it to the likes of the limping horse. One theory notes the phrase came from the horse racing industry and was used to describe an old lame racehorse. The last idea is the phrase came from a baseball pitcher in the late 1800’s named Charley Radbourne that suffered muscle spasm. If you search this term on Wikipedia, you will find its first use cited in a West Virginia newspaper in a baseball article.

What Is a Charley Horse?

A Charley horse is a muscle cramp. This cramp is a sudden contraction of a muscle that can occur just about anywhere but most notable in the legs. They are typically not a serious issue but the amount of discomfort they cause can feel serious. They usually occur in the calf muscles, but I have had them in the shins, feet, hands, and thighs. If this cramp occurs while you are asleep, you may be suddenly awakened to a sharp pain in the leg that you are going to have to get up and stretch to get the cramp resolved quickly.

What Triggers?

Charley horses can hit at any time, but certain risk factors make them more likely. These types of cramps will typically come on due to lack of hydration, muscle fatigue, medications, mineral imbalances or just a lack of stretching. Athletes, such as runners, are more prone to muscle cramps due to prolonged exertion and sweating, which depletes essential electrolytes. For those that do not like to drink water, the dehydration can lead to these cramps. If you are traveling long distances, flying, sitting at a desk all day in one position for too long, you can also increase the likelihood of having a Charley Horse.

Prevention:

To reduce the chance of having a cramp you should focus on hydration, keep your body stretched properly and stick with a good diet so you can have the proper minerals needed for muscle function. If you do all of this and still experience muscle cramps, then stretching the cramped muscle in the opposite direction will usually provide relief. You may also put some type of heat on the affected muscle to help in the relaxation of the muscle spasm.

I had not heard this phrase in quite a while, then a patient brought it up a couple of weeks ago. The term “Charley Horse” is funny when you think about how it is used, but it sure can feel miserable when it happens. By understanding that you are dealing with a muscle cramp, you may be able to put some prevention techniques into place to stop recurrence. Proper hydration, stretching, maintaining electrolytes and minerals and monitoring medications can all keep you from experiencing this terrible pain. Hopefully, the next time you here about a “Charley Horse” you will be able recall this article and have a unique discussion about its baseball origins.

— This article is written by Aaron Workman, DC, one of the members of Chambers Medical Group’s team of car accident chiropractors who offer a variety of treatments and therapies ranging from diagnostic testing to various soft tissue therapies for car accidents and injuries in Kentucky.

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