Author: Dr Martin Schwellnus University of Cape Town South Africa 2008-07-28
What is a muscle cramp?
The
word “cramp” is probably derived from the old High German and Norse
root word “cram” which means an uncomfortable squeezing, pressing or
pinching 1.
Muscle cramping is a common symptom that is likely to affect most
people at some stage during life. It has been reported that 35-60% of
elderly persons suffer from cramping 1, and in one study it has been documented that 37% of the adult population will experience muscle cramping in a year 2.