Eight muscle cramp remedies for Julius Randle
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(AP Photo/James Crisp)[/caption]
Not since living on an all-girls hall my freshman year at college have I heard so much talk about cramps. Of course, Julius Randle's cramps are of the muscle variety, but over the past few days, the BBN has become obsessed with helping its star player overcome his frequent spasms, to the point that we've heard some truly unusual home remedies. I channeled my inner WebMD Monday afternoon and researched some of them. Here are eight muscle cramp remedies for Julius and the UK training staff:
Bananas: The cramp remedy as old as time: B-AN-AN-AS! Potassium deficiency, among other things, causes cramps, and bananas are high in both potassium and magnesium. Plus, they're delicious. However, eating one banana when you get a cramp won't do much because it takes the body a while to digest it, so perhaps Julius should have some over his cereal in the morning. Or with some peanut butter like Elvis.
Saran wrap: My favorite remedy so far comes from Rose, one of our favorite callers on the radio show, who suggested that Julius wrap saran wrap around his thighs during halftime of the game to get rid of cramps. Rose said that the nurses at St. Claire's hospital in Morehead saran wrapped her legs when she was having cramps during labor. "I know it sounds crazy, but it works. I've done it ever since," Rose told Matt and Ryan while rocking in her chair overlooking Caney Creek. "My husband laughed at me and laughed at me 'til he got cramps so bad one night. Well, I got the saran wrap out and wrapped his big legs up and he stopped cramping." Rose said you have to be thorough about it, and offered to wrap Julius' legs herself if it would help the cause: "It has to overlap, there can't be no gaps in it. I mean, you've gotta wrap it round and round." No word on the effect Rose's magical moonshine has on cramps.
Pickle juice: This is probably the most popular modern remedy for muscle cramps, and by far the most disgusting to me. According to a study at BYU, pickle juice relieves cramps 37% faster than water and 45% faster than no fluids at all. Why? Experts believe the salt and fluids in pickle juice quickly rehydrate and replenish missing electrolytes. In fact, studies show that pickle juice can relieve cramps in only 85 seconds. That's not even a TV timeout.
Mustard: Bobby Bluegrass called into the show this morning and said that his wife made him eat yellow mustard the last time he had cramps. After three minutes, the cramps disappeared. It's his go-to remedy now. Apparently, the tumeric (which makes mustard yellow), the vinegar, and the salt replenish the body. Bobby's one of many to suggest this remedy, so perhaps Julius needs to tuck some mustard packets in his socks tomorrow night.
Fluids: Duh. #TeamWater
Vinegar: I was not surprised to see vinegar on a list of muscle cramp remedies since it's a remedy for just about everything. High in potassium, apple cider vinegar can quickly ail leg cramps, and tastes much better when mixed with a little bit of honey. If that's still too gross to consider, you can also rub the vinegar directly on your legs, which, combined with sweat, makes for a lovely smell.
A bar of soap under the sheets: I thought this was a joke when I first read it, but apparently if you sleep with a bar of soap under your fitted sheet, it will reduce leg cramps during the night. No one knows why it works, but people swear by it. Julius' problems come during games, so this might not work, but it would still be hilarious to see him walking around before the game with a bar of soap strapped to his legs.
Pinching your upper lip: Again, not a joke. Some say that pinching the skin between your nose and upper lip, also known as an "acupinch," is a quick and easy way to relieve cramps. At the first sign of pain, pinch the area for 20-30 seconds, or until the cramps subside.
Got more? Leave them in the comments section. (And don't say "Midol." It's beneath you.)
(AP Photo/James Crisp)[/caption]
Not since living on an all-girls hall my freshman year at college have I heard so much talk about cramps. Of course, Julius Randle's cramps are of the muscle variety, but over the past few days, the BBN has become obsessed with helping its star player overcome his frequent spasms, to the point that we've heard some truly unusual home remedies. I channeled my inner WebMD Monday afternoon and researched some of them. Here are eight muscle cramp remedies for Julius and the UK training staff:
Bananas: The cramp remedy as old as time: B-AN-AN-AS! Potassium deficiency, among other things, causes cramps, and bananas are high in both potassium and magnesium. Plus, they're delicious. However, eating one banana when you get a cramp won't do much because it takes the body a while to digest it, so perhaps Julius should have some over his cereal in the morning. Or with some peanut butter like Elvis.
Saran wrap: My favorite remedy so far comes from Rose, one of our favorite callers on the radio show, who suggested that Julius wrap saran wrap around his thighs during halftime of the game to get rid of cramps. Rose said that the nurses at St. Claire's hospital in Morehead saran wrapped her legs when she was having cramps during labor. "I know it sounds crazy, but it works. I've done it ever since," Rose told Matt and Ryan while rocking in her chair overlooking Caney Creek. "My husband laughed at me and laughed at me 'til he got cramps so bad one night. Well, I got the saran wrap out and wrapped his big legs up and he stopped cramping." Rose said you have to be thorough about it, and offered to wrap Julius' legs herself if it would help the cause: "It has to overlap, there can't be no gaps in it. I mean, you've gotta wrap it round and round." No word on the effect Rose's magical moonshine has on cramps.
Pickle juice: This is probably the most popular modern remedy for muscle cramps, and by far the most disgusting to me. According to a study at BYU, pickle juice relieves cramps 37% faster than water and 45% faster than no fluids at all. Why? Experts believe the salt and fluids in pickle juice quickly rehydrate and replenish missing electrolytes. In fact, studies show that pickle juice can relieve cramps in only 85 seconds. That's not even a TV timeout.
Mustard: Bobby Bluegrass called into the show this morning and said that his wife made him eat yellow mustard the last time he had cramps. After three minutes, the cramps disappeared. It's his go-to remedy now. Apparently, the tumeric (which makes mustard yellow), the vinegar, and the salt replenish the body. Bobby's one of many to suggest this remedy, so perhaps Julius needs to tuck some mustard packets in his socks tomorrow night.
Fluids: Duh. #TeamWater
Vinegar: I was not surprised to see vinegar on a list of muscle cramp remedies since it's a remedy for just about everything. High in potassium, apple cider vinegar can quickly ail leg cramps, and tastes much better when mixed with a little bit of honey. If that's still too gross to consider, you can also rub the vinegar directly on your legs, which, combined with sweat, makes for a lovely smell.
A bar of soap under the sheets: I thought this was a joke when I first read it, but apparently if you sleep with a bar of soap under your fitted sheet, it will reduce leg cramps during the night. No one knows why it works, but people swear by it. Julius' problems come during games, so this might not work, but it would still be hilarious to see him walking around before the game with a bar of soap strapped to his legs.
Pinching your upper lip: Again, not a joke. Some say that pinching the skin between your nose and upper lip, also known as an "acupinch," is a quick and easy way to relieve cramps. At the first sign of pain, pinch the area for 20-30 seconds, or until the cramps subside.
Got more? Leave them in the comments section. (And don't say "Midol." It's beneath you.)
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