MUSCLE CRAMPS PREVENTION & TREATMENT
The best means of preventing and treating muscle cramps is stretches. Stretches should be performed:
1. In the morning after you wake up
2. During the day (preferably after exercise)
3. Before you go to sleep
Stretches should be held for 30 seconds or until the stretch feeling has gone away.
Repeat the stretch 2 or 3 times and do it for both legs. This stretch is the same thing you would do to abort a cramp when it comes on.
The other way of preventing muscle cramps is by positioning the muscle group so that it is lengthened. When muscles are in the shortened position it promotes cramp. This stretch position can be used to prevent cramps if sitting or sleeping by positioning the legs in certain ways.
You can also massage a cramped muscle after it has come on.
If muscle cramps are still quite bothersome despite trying these stretches, positioning, and devices then ask your doctor about medications for muscle cramp. Most common medications used for muscle cramps at night include gabapentin or nortryptiline. There are several other kinds of medicines that can be used for this problem.
Each muscle group has specific stretches and positioning advice:
Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic Clinic 