Foot Cramps

[Queen]

Some others have mentioned potassium...if you don't have access to it in it's natural form (like bannanas) try a potassium supplement. I have to take them occasionally for calf cramps and seem to do the trick.

 

[jbd]

Thanks, I'll try drinking some gaterade before diving. I don't think that it is the boots or fins, because I just normally get foot cramps. Would taping my feet help?

Since you feel fairly confident that its not the gear causing the problem I would recommend focusing on the relaxing while finning or learning some of the other finning techniques. Also work on increasing your mineral intake through the ideas posted in this thread before resorting to taping your feet. Don't think just in terms of diving. This is apparently a problem for you in your land based activities as well so you need a more permanent solution.

Orange juice, bananas, apricots, tomato juice and other foods can provide you with plenty of potassium.

 

[DocVikingo]

Some things you may wish to try include:

Stretch & warm up foot & leg muscles prior to diving.

Wear adequate thermal protection, especially on the legs & feet.

When laying on the bottom, rest your feet in a comfortable position making sure that they are not hyperextended.

Swim regularly with fins to condition foot & leg muscles.

Vary you kick style over the course of the dive.

Stay well hydrated and drink reasonable amounts of sports drinks designed to sustain electrolyte balance.

Eat a diet rich in potassium, magnesium & calcium, or take an appropriate combination supplement in sensible amounts. Do not focus on just a single one of these minerals.

This is educational only and does not constitute or imply a doctor-patient relationship. It is not medical advice to you or any other individual, and should not be construed as such.

Best of luck.

DocVikingo

 

[mddolson]

Perhaps this can help.
I've had students complain of foot cramps.
Some of them were curling their toes under, arching their instep. Pointing the toes straight and relaxing the instep solved this.

Mike D

 

[Scubamedicjoe]

and another area everyone forgot to mention is
www.divefitness.com
there are some strenthing excercise there you can do too .

 

[rcohn]

Thanks, I'll try drinking some gaterade before diving. I don't think that it is the boots or fins, because I just normally get foot cramps. Would taping my feet help?

Too tight a boot or fin will cramp your foot fast (been there, done that). Most divers get calf or quad cramps. I'd suggest checking you boots and fins one more time and maybe borrowing or renting a different looser pair to see if that helps.

Also a flexible, or poor fitting, fin/boot sole might cause more foot flex than your foot can tolerate, just one other possibility

Ralph

 

[Diver_Gurl82]

Thank you everyone for your suggestions! :10:

 

[pescador775]

Foot cramps.
"Take a mineral supplement with potassium, magnesium and calcium". Actually that's good advice as calcium and magnesium induce the muscle to relax and potassium (aspartate) helps the muscle metabolism, can lower blood pressure and smooth the heart rate. However, if you are going to this trouble go ahead and get a general mineral supplement from Swan or Prohealth. Make sure that the magnesium is not magnesium oxide, it should be magnesium gluconate, magnesium glycinate or magnesiulm succinate, but not the oxide which is about as absorbable as a chunk of quartz. Talk to your physician if you have diabetes or kidney function problems.

Don't neglect to get enough sodium chloride in your diet. A lack of this common substance is more serious than a surfeit which is greatly overblown by the medical establishment and the US govt.

A lack of certain salts will not necessarily causes general cramping. However, any area in which circulation is impaired or is subject to selective loss of heat may cramp when stressed by repeated flexing under those conditions. Salt (electrolyte) imbalance can cause early triggering. The foot and calf problem is very common among divers.

Forget all the toe flipping and calf tricks, it's nonsense and will detract from your dives . Go to a gym and have someone point you to the calf machine. Start doing heel raises, work up to three sets of 20 reps. You MUST point your toes. Try the stretches also, it won't hurt anything and has been known to help spurs if you have any. The heel raises will make your problem go away. Also, you will become bulletproof against calf cramps which typically occur at the beginning of the season. Some benefit can be realized by doing these at home using a block of wood under the toes.

Common sense says that tight fitting shoes cause pain. Same with fins and boots.

 

[MyDiveLog]

If it were about potassium levels you'd be cramping everywhere, and especially in the calf. We see newbies get cramps often because their fin straps are too tight. Try loosening one a bit to see if that helps .. if one foot cramps while the other doesn't you'll know you've found the problem.

 

[pescador775]

If it were about potassium levels you'd be cramping everywhere, and especially in the calf. We see newbies get cramps often because their fin straps are too tight. Try loosening one a bit to see if that helps .. if one foot cramps while the other doesn't you'll know you've found the problem.

You're probably correct. I mean, if my hat were on too tight this is the first place I'd come for consultation.

Pesky