Prolonged overwork can often lead to over-tension in the leg muscles. This can happen even if you sit or stand for a long time. There may be other reasons. For example, dehydration, muscle or nerve injury, lack of potassium, calcium and magnesium in the blood, side effects of some medications such as hypertension and cholesterol, lack of certain vitamins such as vitamins B1, B5, B6. Due to some bad habits such as smoking, drinking.
As the blood circulation in the legs of smokers is less, their legs get stretched after a short walk. During pregnancy, there is pressure on various nerves, so it is normal to feel tension in the leg muscles at that time. Hypothyroidism, kidney failure, menstruation, miscarriage, etc. can also cause muscle pull.
What to do then?
The leg muscles that are pull need to be relaxed. This will stretch the muscles and relax. The rule of thumb is to stretch the muscles in the back of the foot below the knee, then straighten the leg and gently pull the toes towards you with your hands. And if it is in front, then bend the legs and pull the toes towards the back.
This often happens behind the thighs, then lie on your back, bend your legs and bring your knees to your chest as much as you can. Gently massage the back muscles of the thighs with your hands to relax. And if the muscles become stiff then give a hot soak for a while through the water bag or hot bag to the affected muscle. Again, if the muscle is softer and swollen and there is pain, then give it a cold soak with an ice bag. Get quite comfortable. Everyone has Move or Vix painkiller gel at home, with which the muscles can be gently massaged.
I some time face this in my mid night sleep. Really painful