After two osteopath sessions and one acupuncture session...

[Pluto46]

Yesterday I had my second session with my osteopath, who obviously thought I needed a heart transplant, because she did her best to prize open my rib cage (joke). And I had my first session with a local acupuncturist on Tuesday. She wants me to come twice a week, and the osteopath doesn't quite like the idea of two different therapies going on at once. (It'll be three soon when I sign up for senior yoga.)

Without going into the details, both therapists manage to find knots all over the place (even one behind my ear) and either attack them with targeted pressure or shove a needle into them.

The upshot? A few days relief after osteopathy of the nervy-type sensations in my thighs. Not sure whether the acupuncture is having much effect. It's much easier to feel the result of physical pressure applied to various points of the body than insertion of needles. I'll have to decide next week how I'm going to mix the therapies. I might tell the osteopath that I've given up acupuncture because I'd like to have osteopath therapy twice a week for a time.

Anyway, the big takeaway is not so much the easing of the nerve sensations - which is welcome of course - and slightly lower rate of simple restlessness - but the discovery of an underlying tension or over-alertness which pervades the entire body. It's not painful as such, and not very uncomfortable in the usual rls way, but it keeps me awake at night and doubtless is doing what it can to tighten the knots when they're not being (wo)manhandled.

It's an evil circle, of course, with voluntary tensing/moving of one's legs/arms to counteract rls sensations which in turn heightens the general level of tenseness.

Still, looks like we might be on the right track.

report back later.

best everyone,

Chris

[nightdancer]

Good luck. I can see why the 2 therapists do not want both done at the same time. You really do not know what is working and what is not. You are lucky you can try these, since most insurance does not cover either. I like the yoga idea, it helps me stretch out and also meditation, which helps me COPE. Does not take the RLS away, but it is a good coping mechanism.

[Pluto46 in reply to nightdancer]

It's not free here either, nightdancer. I pay about $70 or £52 per session of acupuncture and osteotherapy. These things aren't on the national health service in Norway. But it's money worth spent I feel at the moment.

[Adge]

I have also been seeing an osteopath, but he also dabbles in acupuncture, so does both. He sees no reason why they can't go together. However, I had my first consultant at Guys Hospital sleep centre last week, and they suggested that osteopathy is a bad idea with RLS. I didn't get the time to ask why in detail, but I will next time I am there and will post back.

[Pluto46 in reply to Adge]

Be very interesting indeed to hear what your Guys consultant says. I've had three acupuncture sessions and two osteophath sessions (third one tomorrow), and my lumbago is about a million times worse than before. Could hardly get off the acupuncture table yesterday. My daughter, who's a doctor, thinks I'm pressing too hard. I'll have a chat with the osteopath tomorrow to get her opinion. I've had knots in my muscles for most of my life, so it's not surprising they're going protest when poked and prodded and stretched outside their comfort zone

[Pluto46 in reply to Pluto46]

By the way, I've just ordered a foam roller for back, legs, thighs, everything. We'll see how that works - if I can manage to lie down on the floor.

[Adge in reply to Pluto46]

Ouch, sounds painful. I have a roller that I use for both back and legs. Be careful using it. Try not to roll it up and down the back too much, that can cause damage. Just lie on it still so it presses on the muscles in the right place. I've had about 10 osteopath sessions so far, and like you I'm worse than when I started. He pressed so hard on my coccyx about 4 weeks ago that I was in agony for 2 days, and I still can't sit down now. My next trip to Guys is now going to be July 27th when I am booked in for a sleep study, so I won't get any more information on what they don't like about osteopaths until then. Best wishes in the meantime, keep us posted.

[Pluto46 in reply to Adge]

Thanks for the advice about the roller. It probably won't get here for a week or two, but I'll bear in mind what you said. I've been using a hardish ball to exert pressure on knots in my backside, but the pain is unbelievable. I tell myself to count to 30, but have to give up after 15 seconds. Anyway, I'm taking a break from everything today.

[Pluto46 in reply to Adge]

Just struck me this morning, we'd make a right pair. You can't sit down and I can't get up

[Adge in reply to Pluto46]

At least we've both still got a sense of humour!