Cramps and strains are two different disorders. Cramps are the common name for muscle spasms, which are continuous or intermittent involuntary contractions of a muscle or muscle group. A strain is generally referred to as a muscle pull, where a muscle is over-contracted or stretched beyond its capacity resulting in a tear or break in the muscle.
Cramp is a continuous or intermittent involuntary contraction of a muscle or group of muscles, caused by abnormal excitation of the nerves or muscles. It is usually spontaneous, common in the lower legs and feet, and is often accompanied by intolerable pain during the attack. It can be caused by a variety of disease factors such as high fever and epilepsy, or by non-disease factors such as strenuous exercise and cold.
A strain is a rapid and intense contraction or overstretching of a muscle beyond the capacity of the muscle tissue, resulting in a tear or break in the muscle. Mostly occur in the waist and the back of the leg muscle groups, can be seen in carrying heavy objects or sprinting, jumping, etc., excessive muscle tension leads to excessive stretching of muscle fibers, thus causing muscle strain.
Cramps and strains are different in nature and have different treatments. It is recommended to seek medical attention under the guidance of a professional doctor when muscle pain occurs.