Alternative therapy

[Joannebbk]

I am currently trying Reflexology and Acupuncture for my RLS. Has anyone had any luck with these or am I wasting my money?

[Lapsedrunner]

Sadly I got no benefit from either...I suspect I’m not the only one.

They may help other issues/promote relaxation though. If you’re not getting benefit after a couple of sessions don’t get talked into a “course” of treatment

[Joannebbk in reply to Lapsedrunner]

I have had 2 lots of the Reflexology and one lot of the acupuncture. I will have a few more tries and then see what happens. Its costing the best part of £100 a week for both of these treatments so if its not working I dont really want to be wasting that much money. Thank you for your reply.

[Lapsedrunner in reply to Joannebbk]

I’d say do one thing at a time. That way if anything does seem different you’ll know what influenced it!

[Hidden in reply to Joannebbk]

I'd be quite blunt £100 a week for reflexology/ Acupuncture is a rip off, even if it does work.

[Joannebbk in reply to Hidden]

Its about £40 for each treatment. I think it would be cheaper to get crack!!!

[atwitsendd in reply to Joannebbk]

I have done reflexology and continue to do it but not for my RLS. It's more bc I like it, lol. I have not had acupuncture. Good luck to you. I hope you can find relief from one of these.

[atwitsendd in reply to Hidden]

I disagree. Those of us that have severe cases, which I can see by all your comments you don't, we will do anything to get relief. It must be nice Manerva that you have relief. Let the rest of us try whatever needs to be done.

[Hidden in reply to atwitsendd]

These are some excerpts from the forum rules.

"Posts should be of interest to the wider RLS forum rather than just individuals. Posts should never be used to 'have a go' at someone else."

"if someone expresses views you disagree with, please think carefully before you respond. "

and

"we should also be ready to be challenged for what we write without feeling we are being attacked just because someone else has a different view."

healthunlocked.com/rlsuk/po...

[atwitsendd in reply to Hidden]

Yes I totally agree, and my post was open to the entire RLS forum, but you seemed to be "having a go" at me. I put out there what worked for me in hopes that if i could help even one person on this forum get something out of it whether they used it all or some of it, then i would be happy. You were very negative towards everything I said. It's also a forum for people to make their own decisions. Believe me, I am always open to suggestions and have tried some of your suggestions on your previous posts, but when they did not work for me I did not come back at you. We just try different things until we find what works for us, but to say "that doesn't work" is not right. Each individual needs to decide that on their own. With that being said, I did get some positive feedback.

[Madlegs1]

The general feedback from people on this site would be that most alternative therapies are not helpful.

There are various stretches and also ointments/ sprays ( magnesium) that can help.

Diet is extremely relevant, to avoid triggers.

Good luck.

[Joannebbk in reply to Madlegs1]

I take Magnesium supplments. Iv tried the oil but I dont know if its just me but I dont like the way it feels. Its like dry oil and it narks the hell out of me on my skin. I also have epsom salt baths at night with Lavender, sweet orange and frankincense oils. Im getting pretty desperate now. I havent had more than 3 hours sleep a night for at least 5 months. Iv even considered smoking weed!!!

[Madlegs1 in reply to Joannebbk]

Mg oil can irritate many people. It is best to only leave it on for 20 mins max. Epsom salts are magnesium.

Are you aware of any dietary triggers, or medications that set off rls?

[Joannebbk in reply to Madlegs1]

I used to love a glass of red wine but that really made my syptoms worse. Infact pretty much any alcohol triggers it. Dietry wise Im not aware. I dont eat meat and have reduced my Dairy intake a lot over the past year or so. I feel my flare up is linked to the menapause. Also at the time of the flare up my husband had just been deployed overseas for 4 months with the Military so I was under a bit more stress than usual. However he has been home for 4 weeks now and I have seen no improvement.

[Hidden]

I did reply to you in another thread, I hope you got my reply.

Since I now see you live in the UK, you might find this link helpful.

These are the national guidelines for the management of RLS, you may find ypu need to inform your doctor of what they say.

cks.nice.org.uk/restless-le...

[kelirock]

I have tried reflexology and bowen therapy. Both did not help.

[Joannebbk in reply to kelirock]

I havent heard of Bowen Therapy, what is it?

[kelirock]

It's a funny sort of thing. From a patient's point of view, when I went I was treated while laying on my stomach so I couldn't see what the therapist was doing but she seemed to come in and out of the room and once she was in the room she would maybe run her hands over my back and legs. Some people swear by it, for me it didn't do much and of course it was expensive and I was expected to go back several times which I did.

[Arkangel]

If you want to try something alternative, try EFT. Look it up on Youtube. It costs nothing and while it isn't a cure, it may help. I hope you find relief soon.

[Hidden]

I did try this as a alternative to progressing on to Methadone for it. As much as I wanted it to work, I saw no benefit from it after one treatment. I might have been more receptive to going back for future treatments, had the practitioner also not tried to change my homosexual orientation with the acupuncture at the same time.

[Joannebbk in reply to Hidden]

Thats sounds awful. Were there any other Acupuncturists in the area you could have tried? Iv only had one go at the acupuncture so Im willing to give it another few goes before I decide what to do. Iv had two goes at the Reflexology and although it didnt make any difference to my problem, I did really enjoy it and it made me feel really relaxed which is something I really struggle with.

[Muftah36]

Hi, I had a course of acupuncture . I got relief for 1-2 nights but it returned as bad as ever if I didn’t have it every other day on both front and back. Needless to say I did not continue.

Nor did I get relief from CBD oil and magnesium oil caused a severe dermatitis which lasted for about 3 weeks . For me, diet has made a large difference but I have had to be extreme at least in the beginning . So no caffeine, alcohol, gluten,dairy or processed food for 6 months and I’m still restricting those items. But the peace I’ve gotten , tho not complete is worth the effort. I’m also on Opiods and I still have 1-2 isolated bouts per week . I can live with that although I’d rather be drug free. Hope you can find some relief .

[restlessstoz]

Hi, I've tried both and had no change from trying either. I have found Acupuncture to be helpful with carpel tunnel syndrome and had great hopes for it for my legs but it did nothing. I do hope you get some help and some relief. Try looking at diet... some people find it helpful omitting some foods. I've found salt, refined and other sugars, coffee, and some other things to be triggers. Again, it's something that you have to find out for yourself as we're all so different and respond differently to medications and foods.

[Hidden]

I've tried acupuncture (numerous sessions), low FODMAP and gluten free diets, hypnotherapy, psychotherapy, shamanic healing, microbiome testing, various dietary supplements, iron infusions and so on. While I retain an open mind, only medication brings anything remotely resembling relief.

[Sara_2611]

Ive never had any of them Im sorry -I absolutely would NOT have acupuncture -because Im needlephobic

Apologies

[grandpianoman]

I've tried acupuncture--several sessions but no results. If you are a mild case of RLS, you might have success with the Restiffic foot wrap. The device presses on acupressure points. In the US, it's available only by prescription, unfortunately. I avoid gluten, eat only low-glycemic fruit and otherwise avoid sugars of all kinds, no coffee, tea, alcohol, and very few refined foods. I even had to give up my favorite snack crackers because they set off leg activity, being too processed. Now I eat mostly whole foods--foods in their original form. Grains, not flours, for example. And after all that, I still can't sleep without prescription pain meds. But at least I can get some sleep!

[Lin22]

A friend of mind has had great relief from acupuncture. Initially he had four treatments, one a week, and got relief after the first treatment. It improved each week. He now goes once every six weeks for a treatment and says he hardly ever gets RLS now, after suffering for years. A really good result.

[Joannebbk in reply to Lin22]

I v had 2 goes of Reflexology and 2 goes at Acupuncture but I havent noticed any difference in my symptoms. Its great that your friend finally got some relief with it though.

[Lin22]

Sorry you have not had success. Here is what works for me: I stay off sugar and processed carbs like biscuits. They are definite triggers. If my legs start up at night, I take a 45mg tablet of valerian, a herbal relaxant available from pharmacies, and my legs settle quite quickly. It is worth checking with a doctor in case it interacts with any meds you may be on. I really hope you find relief somewhere.