Lower back pain and RLS?

[LanaCSR]

Has anyone noticed a relationship between lower back pain and RLS? I have had my RLS mostly controlled for a few years now, but as my lower back pain (which started right before I was diagnosed with RLS in 2012) has increased, so has my RLS symptoms. None of my doctors have ever made a connection between the two. So the two may not have anything to do with one another.

[Jelbea]

Lana your lower back problems could well be contributing to your RLS. I have RLS all my life but I also have narrowing of my spinal column and a few years ago had a disc prolapse in my lower spine which created a lot of pain and I still get sciatic pain down both legs. I feel my RLS is more severe because of this back trouble as there can be pressure on nerves. I see you started to have the back pain and then diagnosed after with RLS so I would assume there is definitely a connection.

[LanaCSR in reply to Jelbea]

Thank you! I'm so sorry to hear that you're suffering with all of that, but I appreciate your input. It is very helpful and reassuring!

[Eryl]

I doubt that your rls has been controlled. Medication may have hidden the symptoms but the fundamental problem has still been there. The problem is hypersensitivity of the nerves which is why you also get back pain (it's also why others might get fibromyalgia or migrane).

This inflammation is mostly due to the foods in your diet. As I've just explained in another of today's threads on breathing issues.

[Nikos64]

There absolutely is a correlation between RLS and lower back pain!!Last January I herniated my L4L5 disc and as a result I have radiculopathy down my left leg.

The radiculopathy is worse at night but it worsens my RLS especially in my left leg!

My sleep specialist confirmed that radiculopathy worsens RLS and for a while increased my RLS medication which is gabapentin and Tramadol.

Sorry to hear you’re suffering too. Best wishes for speedy recovery from your back and peaceful nights with no RLS.

[LanaCSR]

Thank you all for the comments! So here's my question: If there's a relationship between RLS and lower back pain, which comes first or which causes what? I don't seem to have any sciatica. My lower back pain is all the way across and both of my legs are bothered by RLS equally. 🤔

[RLSgirl]

Yes I think I have too.

I think there are many causes for RLS. its more complicated than just primary and secondary.

A few years back I was having some soft tissue body work done. Id’ gone to her because I was experiencing extremely bad plantar fasciitis, but I kept working with her for a while until covid closed down her office, to work on other structural issues I was having. I’ve had musculoskeletal issues all my life. She was very helpful. When my chiropractor took x-rays we discovered that my left leg was about a half inch shorter than my right leg. The imbalance this created has probably been the cause of a lot of my issues over the years.

I have been wearing corrective footwear and been doing my own soft-tissue work on my abdomen/pelvic area. I’ve been finding and releasing a lot of stuck tissue. Its been a slow process but I have found as I’ve been working on the tissue that a lot of the stuck places trigger my RLS. As I have been getting more tissue released the structure of my pelvis and the way I move has changed. My knee pain has gone away. My Back pain is less of a problem, And My RLS is a lot less.

Year before all this I’d seen this video by a Chiropractor Dr. Bergman talking about RLS and nerve impingement. So I also had this information rolling around in the back of my brain. youtube.com/watch?v=gSzNkKb...(Not working as expected?)

All that that background to say that yes, for me there definitely is a lower back connection. And it is a musculoskeletal issue. Its not just about the bone structure, its how the soft tissue pulls on everything too.

If you are interested in doing soft-tissue / postural work I would highly recommend finding someone who does “Anatomy Trains” or a Rolfer. But I’ve found the anatomy trains to be more helpful. And everyone has different skill level. so take the time to find and try someone good.

And also realize that there may be multiple factors to your RLS. I also found that Caffeine was a huge trigger for me. It took about a month off Coffee to take effect, but my RLS decreased quite a bit with that too.

[LanaCSR in reply to RLSgirl]

Thank you!! I can't wait to watch this video. I appreciate you adding it into your reply. Yeah, alcohol is a big trigger for me. It only takes about 2 sips before I start squirming, believe it or not!

[RLSgirl in reply to LanaCSR]

I believe it! alcohol seems to affect me too.

I've found that red wine seems to affect me the least. I can get away with the occasional half glass. but that is all.

[Nanpat in reply to RLSgirl]

Very interesting video, I was hoping someone would ask him what he recommends for rls as he didn’t speak favourably on current meds 😳

[RLSgirl in reply to Nanpat]

He seems to be into natural medicine. I doubt if he'd recommend any drugs. Plus he sees the drugs as only treating the symptom rather than getting to the root cause. but it would be nice to know if there are supplements or herbs that he would use.

Since He seems to think that Toxins like heavy metals and Glyphsates are a big part of the chemical/neurological component of RLS It would make sense to me that he would recommend doing a heavy metal detox or other cleanses. And you'd definitely need to cut off the source of continued toxicity and go all organic. Boy, that's expensivethough! And honestly, since covid supply chain issues, It's sometimes hard to find at all!

But Still, for an RLS sufferer, it would be worth it to get some relief.

In the video, he references several Parkinson's Patients he has helped. But doesn't specifically show anyone with RLS. Still in theory the idea that the musculoskeletal system is impinging proper nerve activity would be the same.

[Munroist]

There is a reasonably well-known link between RLS and back/nerve problems. The Wikipedia article below mentions it in a couple of places but there have been many posts from people who have had problems after operations or back issues where the RLS has got worse. I believe the RLS is normally present first and the back issues just seem to make it worse, rather than cause it outright.

en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Res...

[Guitarpickin]

My neurologist blames my RLS on my back problems.

[LanaCSR in reply to Guitarpickin]

Oh, really?? Have you done anything to relieve your back pain and, if so, has it helped your RLS?

[Guitarpickin in reply to LanaCSR]

While there may be multiple causes for RLS, it’s clearly a neurological issue and our spine is the framework supporting our nervous system (I probably sound like a complete moron-I truly don’t know what I’m talking about), so it doesn’t seem crazy to think there could be a potential correlation.

Even though I don’t fully believe my neurologist, the short answer to your question is “yes”. Sometimes, occasionally, my back is crippling, but RLS and PLMS are far more persistent, debilitating problems. I have done months of physical therapy (PT) for the spine. While doing so, I took detailed notes of the PT exercises. Once I was released (feeling much better!), I continued to do the exercises. It’s super time consuming and annoying but has made a tremendous difference in my back mobility AND my ability to sleep without being plagued by RLS and what I believe are associated involuntary nighttime movements. The PT/stretches primarily target the back, legs, and core strength in general. Not everyone is able or willing to roll around in the floor for an hour every night, but for me it is preferable to adding more drugs to my nighttime regimen.

Have you had your back looked at and learned targeted exercises to address your problem area(s)? If not, please consider doing so. I feel

PT (and this forum) have basically saved my life! If you have already sought treatment, maybe revisit those same exercises/stretches nightly to see if they alleviate your symptoms. Good luck. Thinking of you and hoping you find a way to restful sleep.

[LanaCSR in reply to Guitarpickin]

Aren't you a sweetheart! Thank you for the kind words and great advice. No, I haven't had my back looked at at all. I wonder if these exercises you do can be found online. If so, do you know what I would search for? I'm so glad to hear you have found relief doing these!! It gives the rest of us hope...😘

[Guitarpickin in reply to LanaCSR]

Yes, the back exercises I was given can definitely be found online. I’d be happy to do some research to see if I can direct you to something helpful (or give you a list of mine, once I figure out what each stretch is called), but it would be good to know what you think may be wrong and where your problem areas are, if you wouldn’t mind sharing. For example, I’d recommend different things for an upper vs lower back problem. The exercises I do are specific to me and my issues, but as a middle aged desk worker, I can only assume my problems are fairly generic and therefore my exercises may potentially benefit you, too. Others in our forum have recommended yin yoga. When I googled it, I saw that many of the poses are identical to my own PT exercises, so that could be another place to start. I don’t know how active or strong you currently are, but either way, whenever you do something new, pay attention and if it hurts, stop! I don’t know about you, but I’m no spring chicken and recovering from an injury is an event, in and of itself and best avoided. Lastly, core strength is hugely important in stabilizing a weak/bad back, so I’d work on that too, if possible. In addition to stretching.

[DogBella]

I, too, have low back pain. At first, I thought there was a relationship. I had a back ablation year ago and my RLS went away for 2 years. However, after another ablation, there was no difference in y RLS. My back surgeon said an operation would not help myRLS. I decided not to have the back surgery.

[LanaCSR in reply to DogBella]

This RLS is so frustrating! You do one thing (ablation) and RLS goes away for 2 years. Then you do the exact same procedure and no improvement in RLS. What the heck? I just don't understand it. I wish somebody would explain to me why this happens. And I don't blame you for not having the back surgery. Thank you for sharing!

[rmbroadh]

Definitely see a correlation between back ache and RLS.It seems to start in my back and move down to legs.

I use a CBD cream every night on my back and it usually helps to keep it in check. I have relatively mild RLS.

[JakeRLS]

My post will probably only muddy things. I've had chronic back problems for probably 15 years and restless legs for about 30. I do get great back pain relief from stretching exercises daily. The condition of my back fluctuates a bit but it does not seem to affect my RLS. My RLS on the other hand has morphed from just my legs to my back. So even though my chronic back problem is not bothering me I will get a pain in my lower back which precedes the RLS Sensations in my legs. It's sort of like a warning shot and I know if it starts in my back, it's going to be a tough night. I've been through quite a few meds and am currently taking low dose narcotic and horizont. The combination is currently keeping it under control fairly well.