Leg pain and cramps are fairly common and usually are not serious, but they typically are not enjoyable, either. The best treatment for leg pain and cramps involves massage, heat therapy and pain-relieving medication as well as exercises to reduce the chances of recurrence. One usually can treat himself or herself for leg pain and cramps, but persistent instances of these conditions might require a visit to a doctor.

Many people have had the experience of waking up in the middle of the night with excruciating calf pain, and when such a charley horse strikes, the first tendency is usually to try to straighten out the leg and massage the calf muscle that is causing the pain. This instinctive reaction is actually the best way to ease a leg cramp, and applying a warm heating pad to the painful area also is effective for immediate relief. If the pain persists, one can take a pain reliever such as aspirin or ibuprofen to help ease the pain.

If leg pain and cramps are a rare occurrence, there is no need to do anything more than treat them when they occur, but if a person suffers from this condition often, there are a number of preventive measures that can help reduce their frequency and severity. Dehydration is a common cause of nocturnal leg cramps, so increasing the amount of water one drinks every day might be enough to solve the problem. Alcohol can cause dehydration, so limiting its use is recommended in the treatment of leg pain caused by dehydration.

A calcium and/or magnesium deficiency also might cause calf pain, so a person who frequently has leg cramps or charley horses should eat foods that are rich in these two minerals to see whether this takes care of the problem. Milk, broccoli, nuts and beans are rich in calcium and magnesium. Adding a daily supplement that contains both nutrients is a good way to ensure that one gets enough of these important minerals.

Leg pain and cramps can also result from a potassium deficiency. Eating a diet high in potassium is recommended when trying to reduce the incidence of these conditions. Eating foods that are rich in potassium, such as bananas, oranges, tomatoes, broccoli and grapes, might help prevent frequent bouts of calf pain.

A lack of exercise can also contribute to leg pain and cramps, so stretching exercises are frequently recommended. Standing a little more than arm's length away from the wall, then leaning forward with the arms extended until the palms are against the wall can help stretch the calf muscles. Another exercise is standing on a stairway with one hand on a railing for balance and the heels hanging off a step, then raising and lowering the heels. These are excellent exercises for stretching and strengthening the calf muscles, which can help avoid leg pain and cramps.

Leg cramps are not to be confused with restless leg syndrome, which is characterized by a crawling sensation in the legs. If common treatments don't help alleviate the leg pain and cramps, or if they occur with great frequency, the sufferer should consult with his or her doctor. A medical professional can determine whether the leg pain and cramps are being caused by a serious medical condition.