Cramps are painful spasmodic contractions of the muscles, occurring most frequently in the limbs, but also apt to affect certain internal organs. This disorder belongs to the class of diseases known as local spasms, of which other varieties exist in such afflictions as spasmodic asthma, tetany, and colic.

Causes and Symptoms: The cause of cramps resides in the nervous system and troubles come on suddenly. Sometimes also during sleep, when one finds one`s leg or arm muscles cramped and bunched together, resulting in acute pain.

The trouble is of a temporary nature and leaves the sufferer as suddenly as it had come. One variety of cramp has a tendency to become permanent and that is known as writer`s cramp. This disorder owes its name to the relative frequency with which it develops in persons who are in the habit of writing too much, although it is by no means confined to them.

In the first instance the symptoms can be mentioned as a gradual increasing difficulty experienced in conducting the movements required for writing. The muscles of the fingers and the forearms are seized with cramps. Sometimes the fingers, instead of being cramped, move in a disordered fashion and the pen cannot be grasped. At other times, the fingers are struck with paralysis and they are unable to move enough to write. It is notable that the movements needed for other functions can be made by the fingers.

Medicines & Prescriptions: The following course of treatment is indicated for writer`s cramp:

1. Bala Quath: 25 ml to be used as nasal drops thrice daily.

2. Chandraprabha Vati: 500 mg to be taken twice daily.

3. Ashwagandharishta: 24 ml to be taken twice daily with water after Chandraprabha Vati.

The affected hand should be massaged with Kupiloo oil. Hot fomentation with a bag of salt should be applied.

Diet and Other Regimen: Milk and its preparations should be taken to increase the intake of calcium. The patient should be advised to rest his hand for a few weeks.