Deep Breath Holds

[JasonMorte]

I've discovered that my RLS stops when I take a very deep breath and then hold it a long time. I slowly let it out, then take a few normal breaths if necessary, and do another deep breath hold. Repeat. This technique has worked the last two nights, allowing me to get two full nights of restful sleep. The benefit might come from the stretching of the muscles in the ribs and lower back, or from the alternation in oxygen flow.

[Allyp69]

Thanks for that suggestion of deep breathing...will try it this evening and during the day...you are probably onto something here. Stress makes my RLS worse, as well as alcohol ( I avoid)....I have never taken prescription drugs for RLS and am willing to try anything that will help...that has no side effects. ☺️

[BoldMove in reply to Allyp69]

I ditto your post.

[Nikos64 in reply to Allyp69]

I second that!! It helps for a small while at least with me.

[DicCarlson]

You may want to get a copy of Breath by James Nestor. It's a fascinating read with lots on differing breathing techniques. I trained myself to nose breathe on bicycle rides this past summer (17% more Oxygen).

amazon.com/Breath-New-Scien...

[Hidden]

I believe you're on to something here. Keep honing it. Then come back on here and tell us exactly what to do and for how long and what we can expect. Not too long ago I read an article about the prevalence of RLS in villages at the base of the Himalayas and then ones higher up. Lower or higher up, the prevalence of RLS is ridiculously low, but still significantly increased at higher elevations. So I believe it's .01% in the lowest villages and then 5x higher at the top - .05%. Quite envious, but the point is 5x higher is significant and the researchers felt it was due to the lower oxygen saturation in the blood. I just have a feeling that if those people came down to a lower elevation they would never experience the symptoms of RLS ever again. I believe that the oxygen deprivation made their genetically predisposed RLS legs go crazy while at that altitude, but in the long run it was simultaneously up-regulating their D2s. Just a wild guess.

researchgate.net/publicatio...

[daisyw]

Also helps with COPD

[RSL-RIP]

Look at Buteyko. Opposite breathe method- ie, breath out and hold it out until uncomfortable. Methods and patterns for doing so. Build up. Increases Co2- and therefore, oxygen because the haem carrying cells can detach their iron load to the blood etc. Perhaps whatever causes that low co2 also results in the low iron-it is there but not available. All good projects to explore. Breathing styles underestimated in their effect IMO.

[irishlass-1]

Jason I have found the same, when I can’t sleep with RLS breathing really helps, I can’t believe it works but it does!