Grounding? a sleep and pain help?

[howtotaperdown]

I've bought a 'grounding mat' a sort of wired up undersheet for the bed, plugged into the earth socket. (I bought a Rowland one but there are many makes and wouldn't know how to compare them) but after a couple of nights sleeping on it, an unpleasant flare I had been experiencing has gone away, as I realised during my usual insomnia that it was not hurting me anywhere! also a theory book Earthing: The Most Important Health Discovery Ever? by Martin Zucker, Clinton Ober, Stephen T Sinatra, makes a wonderful audiobook ... interesting theories but good at helping me fall asleep too. 😇Without sleep it is difficult to heal. Anyone else tried 'grounding/earthing'?

[fmkkm]

Hi, I watched the movie, Earthing, I think it was streaming on Amazon. It was interesting but I was a bit bothered by all the stuff there is to buy. I would be inclined to take a walk on the beach barefoot once in a while though. Happy you are finding relief from the sleep grounding you are doing and curious also if anyone else has tried it. Best to you!

[howtotaperdown in reply to fmkkm]

thanks, I havent seen the movie, but will look out for it, but I always used to walk bare foot if I could and usually do tai chi bare foot in the garden even in winter if I can, but handnt been able to much before the PMR came on anyway. But of course with the pain, sleeping and Pred problems, am willing to try most things!

[agingfeminist]

There really is no science behind this BUT the placebo effect is powerful and paying money for the treatment might help. I am not writing this to be critical or sceptical. There is absolutely no doubt that the placebo effect is a useful adjunct to conventional medical practice...as long as you don't ignore some real underlying problem that needs real treatment/surgery. We understand so little about mind-body interactions. But on the whole the placebo effect isn't long lasting. I would be really interested to know if this is still working in a month. You can perhaps send me a private message.

and you are so right without sleep we don't heal...wishing you endless 'good sleep' nights

[Sophiestree]

Apologies, but what does a grounding mat do? Can you feel it?

[howtotaperdown in reply to Sophiestree]

earthing mat feeling might be slight tingling, my feelings are almost total relief from the pain I was having all night, which of course could be for some other reason. (not that much relief from insomnia though) I had just gone from 6 - 9mg to combat the flare and the specialist recommended another month at 10 then restart tapering, but now staying on 9 and will then adopt what I read here to go to 8.5 and do it more slowly, if the wonderful placebos continue... PMR has cost me a lot financially anyway so price of grounding mat isn't much and the relief from most pain means I can concentrate on what issues I might have about the bits of pain left. also just had a steroid jab in knee and will have some massage on a constant neck muscle 'knot' and can go back to trying seriously to see if any food is provoking flares. The flare had meant that I really couldn't see the wood for the trees anymore so am grateful for some respite. Also grateful for allowing me to spend some hours browsing all the useful info HERE!; I have learnt so much about PMR and its treatment, thank you to the busy ones for putting up the info and organising it

[Karenjaninaz]

What’s the science behind it and can you read the results of any studies- not testimonials. I once, long time ago, a doctor in our dept was selling magnetic mats for pain. That was way before PMR.

It was uncomfortable and did not work.

[howtotaperdown in reply to Karenjaninaz]

I guess the film mentioned earlier explains the science or pseudo science, and the book is interesting and nice to fall asleep to on audio books, I constantly lose my place when I listen to audiobooks in the night so would buy a paper version if I wanted to seriously look at anything ! The mat is uncomfortable and sleep and pain relief is so great, I will grab it however I can. So I am not suggesting putting this on FAQs, but for me being more in touch with the earth is a natural instinct, I had a really barefoot childhood on the beach next door but obediently insist my grandchildren wear shoes the second they step in to the garden when they are staying with me! also my feet are a bit irregular so cant wait to get my shoes off. In my London flat I am very far from the earth and even when in our family home in the country I feel electrical interference from some places which has made me move beds to sleep better. So I am happy to buy a mat to see, but can totally understand why many would think if 'snake oil'