How To Curb a Cramp

Drink Up
Dehydration messes with your electrolyte balance, causing cramps. Down 20 ounces of water three hours before working out (if possible), and drink up to eight ounces every 15 minutes during exercise.

Stretch
Stop and gently stretch the sore spot for 20 to 45 seconds or until the pain goes away. A cramp is a muscle spasm, so stretching the muscle counters its tightening.

Add Tension
Flexing a camping muscle may make it release. This action triggers a safety switch (called the Golgi tendon organ) that relaxes a muscle when it's too strained.

Massage
Rub the muscle vigorously, as if you're kneading dough. This combines the previous two methods by stretching and compressing the muscle, helping to release the cramp.