RLS caused by tensions in the back!

[silkyreg]

I have reported here before about my experiences with my RLS and they seemed very strange to you. Now I have discovered something new that's also weird:

Since I have RLS I need a heating pad in my lower back every night to calm my legs, without this relaxing warmth it is almost impossible to sleep. So I have felt all along that something is wrong in that area of the back and that this has an influence on my RLS. Now a few days ago I was lying in bed at night trying to fall asleep but as usual my legs were restless. Suddenly something snapped in my back as if a tension had been released and immediately my legs stopped moving. Unfortunately it didn't last long and the tension came back and with it my legs started again. Now I followed up and experimented with stretching and mental relaxation exercises and sure enough, IT WORKED! Every time my legs are restless I relax my back and immediately my legs are calm.

[Sunflowergirlem]

You are definitely on to something here. I have lower back aches and sciatic. I've noticed that when my back hurts, that is when my rls is worse. I use a heating pad as well. Hot baths help too. So maybe it has something to with our nerves in our back.

[silkyreg in reply to Sunflowergirlem]

Try exercises to relieve your back and let me know if it helped against your RLS

[Munroist in reply to Sunflowergirlem]

I believe there is a connection between RLS and nerve issues (which are often at the root of back issues and things like sciatica). I had back/disc problems (and still have to a degree) and that's when my RLS went up a level. I suspect it's to do with your nerves getting oversensitive as a reaction to the pain and then being more susceptible to the RLS condition which has a brain component.

[silkyreg]

ANNEXI found a clinic that does surgeries for RLS it it is caused by nerve problems

Surgical interventionIn practice, it has been found: Excessive constriction (compression) of certain nerve pathways in the legs and arms can significantly exacerbate restless leg syndrome. The pressure that the connective tissue exerts on the nerves often increases the pain that occurs. The adhesions with the surrounding tissue can be removed by a targeted microsurgical procedure. This usually allows the nerve cords to be better supplied with blood and nutrients again. As a result, the restless legs syndrome becomes weaker in many patients who have undergone surgery, and complaints and pain are reduced.

However, this type of restless legs therapy is only suitable for those patients who have been diagnosed with nerve constriction. For this purpose, an extensive, approximately 90-minute examination is performed prior to the procedure. It is performed by the surgeon, Dr. Martin Raghunath, MD, a trained specialist in plastic and cosmetic surgery and hand surgeon. In the course of the examination, your complaints are assigned to specific nerve supply zones, if possible. At the same time, the nerves are examined for pressure sensitivity and touch thresholds are measured.

[Guitarpickin]

Surgery for RLS sounds a bit scary. And having the surgeon himself decide whether or not you are a good candidate sounds even more frightening. Sorry to sound cynical. Per my neurologist, my RLS is due to spinal myelopathy and he did suggest surgery but because I was unwilling to entertain that option (medicine and physical therapy exercises currently control things), I didn’t get further information and don’t know exactly what he had in mind. If this is something you are seriously considering, I would research the doctor and the procedure extensively first. Look online for people who have had the procedure and see how it worked for them. And even though you referred to it as a “microsurgery,” it’s still a procedure that involves your nerves (meaning, in my mind, huge potential for disaster), you may want to get a second and even a third opinion first. Please be careful and let us know what you learn and decide. You saw the things Silvia10 recommended about a week ago about yoga and stretches for the back. Maybe consider trying some of those things first, or even hire a physical therapist to show you what types of exercises and stretches will help you, specifically (we’re all different and having a tailor made plan for how to help my back has improved my quality of life immeasurably). Considering surgery as an option should be a last resort.

[BAK524]

I too feel that my RLS is linked with my back problem. It makes me wonder how many RLS sufferers have back problems. I notice that in my area, there are some chiropractors that claim they can treat patients with RLS. I have yet to try this, but I may some day. I'm also thinking about purchasing one of those inversion devices, where you hang upside down. Suppose to be good for back issues.

[Carlettejaque]

That is extremely interesting. Yes it backs up my theory that it's all to do with trapped nerves in the back. So it would seem that treatment is sports therapy massager to loosen muscles, perhaps a chiropractor to help too and relaxation exercises NOT the sort of addictive medications doctors throw at it. I am so pleased you wrote about your experience because it offers hope to others who are struggling.

THANK YOU😙

[silkyreg in reply to Carlettejaque]

Unfortunately it is not the whole story. As I've written, the tensions return very quickly. It remindes me of getting calf cramps again and again. One doesn't get them because of tensions in the calves but because of a lack of Magnesium. In addition when I wake up at night I get RLS and I can't stop them with relaxation of my back as I am already completely relaxed half asleep.

But relaxing my back is a relieve of RLS when I am awake, at least for some time.

[Carlettejaque in reply to silkyreg]

I think the muscles in your bsck need a professional massage. I have a lower back problem but i had an upper back problem last February. It was so painful I couldn't move. I had to sleep sitting up in a chair for a few months. I had ultra sound treatment on it but thst didn't work so I went to see s brilliant sports injury therapist. He massaged my back and releived the tension causing the pain. I have to say that it was sheer bliss! It took 3 visits but it worked. I went back for one treatment on my lower back but then ran out of money.I'll try and get things together and go back after Xmas.

Massage therapy in my opinion is better than an osteopath/chiropractor but it depends on what your problem is.