I’ve read about a product called CrampsAWAY that claims to “stop cramps INSTANTLY.” They also claim that it prevents cramps for about 2 hours if taken before a race, and it is being used by Stanford Univ, and some pro tennis players and pro football and basketball teams. Has anyone tried it and if so what was your experience. I want to stop my hands from cramping on the bike, and my calves on the last five of the run. Has it worked to stop cramps for anyone and has anyone taken it as a prevention? Thanks!
“They also claim that it prevents cramps for about 2 hours if taken before a race”
there is absolutely no evidence of a prophylactic use of a cramp abater, except that one might want simply to make sure one’s carbohydrate, water and electroyte levels are up to snuff. accordingly, any company that makes that claim ought to provide the pubmed link showing that this is even possible for any brand, let alone the brand you’re mentioning.
They also claim that it prevents cramps for about 2 hours if taken before a race,
If you’re cramping in a race after 2 hours, you may be doing so many different things wrong, not the least of which is nutrition…
Their website claims that new research shows cramping has little to do with hydration or electrolyte levels; that this is outdated thinking (perpetrated by Gatorade?) They say cramping is caused by non-working neuromuscular connections that are supposedly “reset” by CrampsAWAY. It not being a hydration or electrolyte problem makes a lot of sense to me since I monitor my hydration and electrolyte levels as well as I can, and I still cramp. I see the most elite athletes in the world (LeBron) with optimum hydration and electrolyte levels cramping, so I’ve thought for a long time that this was not the main reason for cramping. I haven’t seen the research, but a lot of college and pro athletes are touting it.
“They say cramping is caused by non-working neuromuscular connections that are supposedly “reset” by CrampsAWAY.”
right. i wrote about this. pharyngeal nerve blocking release of alpha motor neurons. you’ll see ads on this site for flex pharma, which i demo’d at kona last week. same thing. the product i’ve been asking for.
i emailed kc miller, the guy who’s done most of these studies. him to me: “I’ve never demonstrated a prophylactic effect in any of my published work.”
so, no, unless crampsAWAY can show a study in pubmed, they’re claiming something that has not been demonstrated. it’s like giving someone the heimlich maneuver before dinner, just in case they choke on some food. not going to help. not unless the product you reference can show that it does something that i don’t think it does. i’m happy to be educated.
I am not sure about prevention, but it does work to stop cramps, and it is based on a neural mechanism from the oral mucosa.
Don’t need to spend your money on any kind of product though, mustard, pickle juice (or even just vinegar?) may work the same. (I suspect the “active ingredient” in cramps away is the vinegar, the rest is just hocus-pocus)
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19997012
Another company trying to make money from this age old knowledge is “itsthenerve”, who are actually trying to develop an FDA approved drug, there was another thread about that somewhere here a while ago.
Cramps are caused by motor neuron hyper excitability, and do not originate in muscle, as most people think, though I am sure that hydration/electrolyte balance may influence the motor neuron excitability itself.
Nice first post.
“They say cramping is caused by non-working neuromuscular connections that are supposedly “reset” by CrampsAWAY.”
right. i wrote about this. pharyngeal nerve blocking release of alpha motor neurons. you’ll see ads on this site for flex pharma, which i demo’d at kona last week. same thing. the product i’ve been asking for.
i emailed kc miller, the guy who’s done most of these studies. him to me: “I’ve never demonstrated a prophylactic effect in any of my published work.”
so, no, unless crampsAWAY can show a study in pubmed, they’re claiming something that has not been demonstrated. it’s like giving someone the heimlich maneuver before dinner, just in case they choke on some food. not going to help. not unless the product you reference can show that it does something that i don’t think it does. i’m happy to be educated.
^^^ this
Very cool. Thanks for the info and references! I feel smarter already!
I spoke with someone who tried It’s the nerve and they said it tasted terrible, and burned when they swallowed it. They said it was like drinking hot sauce and gave them heartburn during their run. They said it was a “preventative” sports shot and didn’t claim to stop cramps “instantly” like CrampsAWAY. What was your experience on the taste, aftereffects and benefit or lack thereof? I like the thought of having a packet that I can use, if and when I need it. It’s a little hard to bring a bottle of pickles or mustard with me during races, although sometimes I really crave a hotdog at mile 10! ;-o
I tried it. Didn’t work, in fact I started cramping in my calf within about 5 minutes.
I did try another product that worked way better though.
I have not tried either cramps away or itsthenerve.
Why not try a single condiment packet of lemon juice, mustard, or vinegar? cost $0.10 - 0.16/packet.
I have done 16 Ironmans and have cramped when it gets really hot or I go to hard. I just did Kona and tried “Itsthenerve”…tasted like crap. Used in Special Needs bike and T2 and Special needs run. I did not cramp and it was warm.
Not sure if it was the new potion or the salt tablets or just overall hydration. I am not sure I believe in the science behind it but what the heck…they gave me 3 bottles so I thought what could it hurt trying it.
Oh by demoed, I thought you meant you “used” its the nerve during your competition.
Thanks for the link on the condiments. Are the mustard, vinegar and lemon juice preventative, or do they stop cramps instantly too. How do I take/use them. What about the taste? I have a hard time thinking about drinking any of them when I’m in the middle of a race. Do they cause heartburn or acid re-flux or is it OK?
Nice first post.
Yup. He’s up to a total of 5 posts. 4 on this thread and one on another. Guess the topic? …Cramps. Guess what he posted about? … CrapsAway.
Since you seem intelligent, I’m wondering why you’re the only one who hasn’t added value to this discussion.
…are you just posting to get attention and direct people to your blog???
Since you seem intelligent, I’m wondering why you’re the only one who hasn’t added value to this discussion besides me.
Fixed it for you.
Hysterical. Several people haven’t added value to your thread. As to my blog, I haven’t written/ posted in a long time. I’m just too lazy to change my sig line.
Anyway, I’m of the opinion that a vast majority of performance related cramps are due to improper pacing or out racing your fitness. The science on nutrition/ electrolyte-based cramps is suspicious at best. Same with topical products. Therefore, any product such as the one advertised in the OP is unlikely to be effective. Other than the marketing department, do you have an science-based articles from an independent source that suggest your product is beneficial.
alas, and then there were two… ;-(
Since you seem intelligent, I’m wondering why you’re the only one who hasn’t added value to this discussion.
…are you just posting to get attention and direct people to your blog???
Actually, he is adding value to the discussion by pointing out that you’re a shill, which automatically discounts everything that leaves your keyboard.
The drivel you’re posting (not to mention the manner in which you’re behaving) simply doesn’t pass the sniff test. Please prove us wrong and you may get a different reception.
A shill for who??? CrampsAWAY? It’s the nerve? Mustard? Lemon? Vinegar? The latest scientific thought? Come on guys, I’m just looking for answers to a problem I deal with in every race, just like a lot of people.
Until the last 3 attacking posts, I’ve gotten some really good info from Slowman, Drtrikat and Greyhound, some of which I never knew before. Do I need to show my tax return to satisfy you that I don’t work for the mustard farmers of america? Jeez take a breath! I didn’t ask Drtrikat if he worked for It’s the nerve when he said he demoed it, I was respectful and asked what his honest experience was. Whatever works to stop or prevent cramps is all I care about. If it works, I want to try it. If you go to my original post, that’s all I asked.
All I expect is a little courtesy and respect in the tread. Is that too much to ask from this group???