Originally Posted by dgasmd

Yes, placebo effect is real and can a tremendous effect on a lot of things ranging from dealing with pain to getting cured from cancer. Placebo can account for as much as 20% of positive outcomes when well known medical therapy has failed or had marginal effects. So, it is real. The only problem with it is that it is poorly reproducible and have erratic outcomes even in the same individual. Likely what is helping in your case is the increased hydration, which contributed to worsen cramping, and the rest by "easing up for 20-30 min".