(HealthDay News) — When muscle cramps strike, there are things you can do to ease the pain and get moving again.

The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons offers these suggestions:

• Take a break from whatever activity triggered the cramp.
• Gently and slowly stretch the cramped muscle, holding the position until the cramp eases.
• Gently massage the cramp.
• If companies muscles are tight and tense, apply heat.
• If muscles are sore and tender, apply ice.