Squatting/Kneeling as an RLS Relief

[gangaftagley]

Hi,

I've been navigating RLS for about ten years now. Years ago, I found that the pressure on my legs from squatting or kneeling went a long way to helping my RLS symptoms which are most prominently experienced as a hot, dry, and burning sensation in my feet. I also frequently put lotion on my feet, which I find tends to cool them off. I've also found that if I squat or kneel on my legs until my feet go completely numb, it provides an immense amount of relief for a good amount of time afterwards - almost like a temporary reset. Is anyone out there experiencing anything similar in terms of RLS symptoms and ways to relieve those symptoms? Thanks.

[kleelibby]

Hi gangaftagley, I’ll give it a try, thanks.

[Accipiter]

Doesn't sound like RLS, but symptoms do manifest themselves in many ways. The key RLS symptom is that they are periodic with very unpleasant symptoms, you move and they stop with a temporary return to normality, then return around 45 seconds later; constantly repeating.

I have also experienced aches which are constant.

As for your treatment, this is a blunt instrument approach. There are many physical treatments that are quicker and easier, depending on location of symptoms. I do use a tourniquet for difficult symptoms. For feet it is very quick and effective.

[Joolsg in reply to Accipiter]

It might well be RLS & causing numbness by sitting on heels has been mentioned at our annual AGM, similarly squats help by distracting temporarily and by building muscle. Muscle stores dopamine and dopamine helps RLS symptoms.

[Accipiter in reply to Joolsg]

I will walk away from this discussion as I disagree with almost everything you have stated.

All that matters is finding things that work, and if stress positions do that and are consensual, who am I to object.

[Meritus in reply to Accipiter]

I find Restiffic foot clamps effective some nights and A.Vogel horse chestnut drops either in combination or each on their own. Relief is patchy but so welcome when it works. As I also have osteo-arthritis I have just bought the Revitive TENS foot device which some product reviews have mentioned help with RLS although it is not claimed.

RLS makes you want to try anything in near desperation and I have deliberately avoided pharma products which seem to be the main discussions on this very active forum.

I have been absent from HE as I will avoid pumping chemicals into my body whenever I can.

I do recommend trying the natural remedies, what have we got to lose?

Because of arthritis in my knees I find kneeling and squatting for more than a minute or two just too painful but it may work for some.

[Accipiter in reply to Meritus]

Ice on feet works as well, even for symptoms in the calf.

My guess is cold, or as above with pressure, the nerves send different than normal messages to stop the 'motor sensory' part of RLS.

Posibly how the Restifics work as well.

[Bruxelles in reply to Accipiter]

Hello, I have been suffering with RLS for 2/3 yrs., at first occasionally and now every night. Only thing I haven't tried is Gabapentin which I asked Neurologist for and he would not give me. I tried cold but it made my legs unbearably painful. Also seems to be a trigger for me. On the contrary, for me it seems to help if I keep my legs very warm.

[Joolsg]

I sit on my heels until my legs go numb and find the same as you.The relief lasts quite a while. Similarly leg squats help enormously.

[Hidden]

I have used the sitting back on my heels til legs go numb to get relief from RLS in the past to get to sleep at night, cant do it now as symptoms are too strong and when trying to wait for legs to go numb i got the need to move one leg, and had to give up.

[Gardenera]

Interesting - I was kneeling in the garden for half an hour today planting wall flowers and I did not have restless legs last night. Could this be a coincidence? Gardeners

[Sampsie in reply to Gardenera]

I find after gardening I can sometimes have a better night so I think there's something in this. Once, when I was still able to work, I had to wear really heavy steel toe-capped boots for health and safety on a film shoot, and that night I had no RLS. However, after wearing them the following day the RLS came back.

[Sampsie]

I lie with my legs up against the wall, heels resting on the bedboard and as the legs go numb, I can't feel the sensations. I fall asleep like this and wake up when my body is telling me my legs need blood to circulate properly again.

[Gmc54]

Yes, if I kneel, squashing my calves I get temporary relief. Shame it doesn't last.

[Syvxdhkoy]

Yes, I've experienced the same thing! I do a sort of child's pose stretch (lower body only) in bed while reading until my legs go numb. I do this every night regardless of whether I've felt the RLS because it works as a preventative measure too.... at least for me. Glad you've found something that works for you too.

[Micafe]

I'll see if my pains allow to do it. Thank you.

[Ranjits]

Yes I tried cold shower on my legs and give me a relieve for while but even then I take one or two cocodamolwhich stop rls but it got side effect as constipation my neurologist advice rotigine patch’s which I will try let you know after I get them

[Bruxelles in reply to Ranjits]

Cold doesn't work for me - it seems to be trigger and legs feel incredibly painful. On the contrary heat seems to help.

[Walks_a_lot]

I do the same thing when RLS turns up at night. I squat on the front balls of my feet, squashing my calves until numbness sets in. It gives temporary relief which is sometimes enough to get to sleep. On a bad night I might need to do it 3 times and be awake until 4. The other thing I do is meditate, and my bum and legs often go numb after half an hour of that. that seems to help too. I also put a foot up on a table and strecth my hamstrings, rubbing them vigorously and massaging the soles of my feet painfully. That helps a bit too. Hot bath 90 minutes before bed?