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Will Pocket Full of Soap Stave Off Leg Cramps?

Q. I read about putting soap under the sheet to stop leg cramps in your column. My husband tried it and it worked wonders.
Before, his legs had sometimes hurt so bad he would have to sit on the side of the bed for a while, and at times the pain was so bad he would almost cry. Once he tried the soap, his legs only hurt after he got out of bed. I suggested he carry a bar of soap in his pocket, so he keeps a motel-size bar of soap with him at all times. Now he has no more leg pain in the daytime, either.
Our daughter recently walked a section of the Appalachian trail. She carried soap in her pocket to prevent leg cramps. (It was also handy for handwashing in streams along the way.) Most of our friends think we have lost our marbles, but who cares? No leg pain!
A. Many doctors think we have lost our marbles for recommending this strange remedy. Nevertheless, we have heard from many readers that it helps and we can’t see how it would hurt.

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About the Author
Terry Graedon, PhD, is a medical anthropologist and co-host of The People’s Pharmacy radio show, co-author of The People’s Pharmacy syndicated newspaper columns and numerous books, and co-founder of The People’s Pharmacy website. Terry taught in the Duke University School of Nursing and was an adjunct assistant professor in the Department of Anthropology. She is a Fellow of the Society of Applied Anthropology. Terry is one of the country's leading authorities on the science behind folk remedies..
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