I would be willing to consider it as an experiment if the type and position of the soap were included in the variables.
Dragonmom, apparently, it is Dial strategically positioned under the fitted sheet near the feet. 
I will stick with bananas, magnesium, hydration, and maybe pinching. 
Ok, you and I have different standards of proof.
Please tell me that these alternative therapies aren’t being paid for by my insurance.
“The eastern methods must work or billions of people would not continue using them for thousands of years.”
No, that’s not how science works. Plenty of folk remedies that people use all over the planet that are ineffectual, or that work on the basis of the placebo effect. You know what they call alternative medicine that’s been proven to be effective? Medicine.
What people in areas without access to modern medicine do is immaterial, since they don’t have choices.
There are various medical studies conducted in the USA that confirm that acupuncture can work, even to replace anesthesia in surgery.
Here’s a few mentions from Duke but there are many others as well:
http://corporate.dukemedicine.org/news_and_publications/news_office/news/acupuncture_offers_headache_relief_over_medication/view
http://corporate.dukemedicine.org/news_and_publications/news_office/news/10153
According to National Institute of Health:
http://www.einnews.com/pr_news/344831545/nih-review-validates-acupuncture-therapy-for-treatment-of-common-pain-conditions
Maybe it’s not used more because acupuncture doesn’t have pharma reps popping in with free lunch to pitch it. 
I don’t doubt at all some alternative methods and/or folk remedies have been proven to work (in which case they aren’t alternative any more). I took issue with the logic that “millions/billions of people did so, so it must work.” Lots of really bad-practice folk remedies out there. I mean, look at all the homeopathic remedies – not a shred of science behind them. Or naturopathic remedies, assuming that the body heals itself with some kind of magic energy. Even “folk” remedies like urinating on a jellyfish sting aren’t actually true and do more damage than good.
I don’t know who pays for them, but I don’t see too much of it covered by insurance, other than acupuncture and then only in some policies. I handle the defense of personal injury cases. It is my impression that most of these people pay out of pocket for these herbal remedies, at least based on their testimony. My goal is to try to prove that the person has no injury or that they have recovered or have relatively few residuals. If they testify at deposition that they use these alternative remedies and that they feel better as a result, that helps me achieve my goal of limiting their recovery in the personal injury suit I am defending. I don’t care if it actually works or if it’s a placebo effect as long as I can use it in my favor.
It goes back to my nose pinching “cure.” If it works, I don’t really care if it’s a placebo effect or not. Maybe if I was a pharmaceutical company, I might care, but as a person with a cramp, I’m only concerned with the fact that the pain stops, not why it stops.
TM
I understand the nose in the air thought process of alternative medicine because I used to be like that, too. I’m pragmatic, and don’t believe in hocus locus, voodoo stuff. Until I had acupuncture 10 years ago.
I had muscle knots, arthritis in my lower back and degenerative disc disease up by the neck. I was miserable. I went on Celebrex which helped considerably, but you shouldn’t be on it for life. I bought a special pillow, I went to PT for several months and insurance purchased a portable neck traction machine for me. I did all of this faithfully, along with my PT exercises for a year. It all helped but, maybe 50% decrease in discomfort and pain. I had a name of a lady from China who was highly recommended, and finally after a year I succumbed. When you are in pain, you will seek out anything.
I went very skeptical. She was the ultimate professional, her DH is an MD. She told me she couldn’t cure me, but she could stop the pain. 7 sessions, on increasing time span between each session.
I kid you not…after the 3rd session, I felt almost no pain. I told her she was my miracle Doctor. By the end of the 7th session, I was totally pain free for the first time in years. She just said, ok you’re good, call me if you need me.
I went about every 2 to 3 months for two sessions. I did this for years, and now just go occasionally. I don’t take Celebrex, nor do special exercises. I still sleep with the pillow.
Many modern medicines are from herbs and flowers, with added chemicals. I don’t know why I felt it so hard to u derstand that this 3 thousand year old form of medicine doesn’t work. MD’s in our area send their patients to her when they can’t stop some pain. It’s not the damn placebo effect.
As far as the soap, http://www.peoplespharmacy.com/2012/07/22/why-does-soap-soothe-nighttime-leg-cramps/
It may very well be a placebo effect, but if it works to relieve the pain, it’s still a good thing.
FWIW, my H has prescribed placebo pills to patients at times, and they’ve reported good results. Sometimes just believing that something will do the trick WILL do the trick, and that’s ok too.
^^^Placebo effect is for real, I agree. But acupuncture should never be dismissed like that.
On another semi-related anecdotal note, during one of my labors, a friend offered to hypnotize me. I am not a really good subject as I hate to give up control, but he did do some relaxation exercises with me that helped reduce the pain of the contractions slightly. Was it placebo? Most likely, but did it help me with my pain? Most definitely. It was my third natural labor so I know what contractions feel like at their worst; in my second labor, I went from 0 to delivery in 63 minutes with no meds.
I also tried acupuncture for menopausal issues, including hot flashes. After 6 sessions, my hot flashes vanished and haven’t returned. I have recommended it to some friends and the couple who tried it also say it worked. Can the placebo effect be the explanation for everything and everyone?
I used to get severe, painful nighttime leg cramps in my calf or foot. One was so severe that I passed out and woke up on my bathroom floor in a pool of cold sweat, with my head on my sneakers. In my case, I was able to eliminate them by simply maintaining better hydration and electrolyte balance after nighttime workouts in which I sweat heavily. Now I end my workouts at least 4 hours before I sleep and gradually sip on a Gatorade/Powerade while relaxing for the next ~hour after a tough cardiovascular workout .
I think I accidentally found out that I have a magnesium deficiency. I have gone on two long distance bike rides with my husband in the last few weeks. The first one had me waking up three times during the night with excruciating leg cramps. I chalked it up to electrolytes being off. They were so severe that I became nauseous.
Did another long ride yesterday and made sure to stop every ten miles to eat small nutrient rich snacks ( also hydrated with water and also water with electrolyte tablets dissolved inside ) By the last ten miles, I was having bad foot cramps and my upper back was really tense in the muscles ( no issues with the bike whatsoever )
Got home and ate dinner , which I promptly vomited.
This morning, I had severe muscle spasm in my upper back . I did some reading and it seems the common thread is magnesium or potassium.
Here’s hoping the supplements, added dietary sources and limiting my rides to under 35 miles show an improvement !