Leg cramps are an unintentional contraction of the muscle of your calf, and can be very painful.  There is some disagreement about what causes leg cramps, but a diet with enough calcium, potassium, sodium, and magnesium is thought to help. To relive a leg cramp, you should straighten your leg (the one with the cramp) and pull up on your toes while “pointing” your heel. You can also achieve the same result by standing up on a hard floor. If you are suffering from frequent leg cramps, make sure you are salting your food to taste, and eating foods high in calcium (dairy, dark leafy greens), potassium (bananas, oranges), and magnesium (soy beans, almonds). If you have varicose veins or a history of blood clots, be aware that a pain in the calf can signal a blood-clot and you should not massage the area until that can be ruled out.