I remember getting sudden, painful “charlie horses” in my leg muscles when I was a kid. The adults called these cramps “growing pains.” My daughter gets sharp and abrupt muscle cramps every so often and guess what the teachers at school tell her? You guessed it…that they are merely “growing pains.”
Well, anytime frequent muscle cramps occur, it is usually because the person is not getting enough balanced vitamins and minerals. One should be getting at least 1,500 mg. of daily calcium and 750 mgs. of magnesium per day. Potassium is also important; we should be consuming at least 99 mg. of potassium daily. A banana or potato provides potassium. Vitamin C and B complex with a minimum of 50 mg. of zinc daily is also essential for proper muscle functioning. It is best to get these through consumption of fresh food, however, if you lead a busy lifestyle and must take supplements, then by all means, do so. This healthy regimen must be adhered to diligently, on a daily, regular, ongoing basis!
Horsetail, meadowsweet, valerian and skullcap help to relieve muscle cramps also. Taking valerian root 
at bedtime helps to relax the muscles too. So, eat right and take herbs wisely for proper muscle maintenance.