Twitching in the Thighs After Workouts

If you have felt your thigh twitching after an intense workout, don't be alarmed. That twitching sensation is common. The sensation is caused by your thigh muscles involuntarily contracting because they can't relax. There are a several potential reasons why this may be happening. The good news is that you can take preventative steps or relieve that annoying feeling when it occurs.

Magnesium

Twitching in your thighs right after a workout can be caused by a lack of magnesium. Magnesium is an important electrolyte in your body that regulates muscle contraction and relaxation. If you don't have enough of it, the muscles in your thighs can start contracting excessively, causing twitching or cramping. If the twitching continues after you workout, drink or eat something that will quickly restore your electrolyte balance. Sunflower, flax and pumpkin seeds are all rich in magnesium, and a small handful goes a long way toward restoring your electrolyte balance.

Caffeine and Dehydration

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If you are prone to twitching in your thighs, think twice before guzzling an energy drink that contains caffeine. Caffeine increases the electrical stimulation of the nerves in your thighs that causes muscle contractions. While drinking caffeine might seem like a great way to give you an energy boost during your workout, too much stimulation leads to an increase in muscle contractions even after your workout is over. Caffeine is also a diuretic that causes dehydration; dehydration can trigger muscle twitching. Drink plenty of plain water during and after your workout to stay hydrated.

Flexibility and Stretching

Your flexibility and overall fitness level also affects twitching. As you increase your flexibility and fitness level, twitching should become infrequent. The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons recommends that you do flexibility exercises on a regular basis to stretch out those thighs if they commonly twitch. You can help the twitching go away faster by gently massaging your thigh or stretching until the twitching stops. Static stretches are the best stretches for increasing flexibility and helping muscles recover after a workout. Hold a thigh stretch for 15 to 30 seconds, release and repeat as needed to relieve twitching in your thigh.

Considerations

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When a muscle contracts very slowly or won't release, it can become a muscle cramp. If you experience severe and frequent muscle twitching or cramps that won't respond to preventative measures, keep track of how long they last and how frequently they occur after exercising, then visit your doctor. Poor circulation, nerve problems, thyroid problems, some medications or a poor diet can be contributing factors your doctor can test for. Frequent twitching that does not go away can also be an early warning associated with some muscular and neurological diseases like Lou Gehrig's disease or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. This is rare, but if you have any ongoing twitching in your thighs that cannot be resolved, have it checked out.