Body position

[Summer194]

I have always wondered how RLS can disappear when standing or walking etc, but very quickly upon returning to bed, it comes back. However, I did notice that if when returning to bed, one lies down on the side with the upper half of the body half sat up, that sometimes the RLS does not return, so there must be a position at which it is triggered ?! It would be interesting if research were carried out into this - it is strange to say the least, but members may want to try lying down on your side when returning to bed, but half sat up for a while and then fully lie down - see how you get on - Good luck !

[ChrisColumbus]

I've posted before that - while I rarely have RLS symptoms now - when I do go to bed and have a feeling of incipient onset if I turn onto my side they are likely to subside. If this doesn't work, turning on to my front and moving my left knee to one side almost certainly does.

[Jelbea]

I find that what ChrisColumbus is suggesting works well for me when nothing else works. The only difference is that I lie across the bed on my front with my knees just over the edge - almost making them bend the wrong way if that makes sense. Usually 10 minutes lying like this sends the RLS completely away.

[ChrisColumbus in reply to Jelbea]

Yes, I do that too if it (the feeling that RLS could be on its way) happens before I actually get under the covers! (My wife also *might* in some cases object if I sprawled across her to achieve RLS nirvana! 🙃)

[Jelbea in reply to ChrisColumbus]

I have always wondered if it is the overstretching of the knee joints which is the cure. When you think of it the main cure we use is walking around when the knees are being used so much. Just a thought😃

[Allyp69]

Something to do with weight bearing...but you can't stand up all day....very odd...

[Summer194]

Thanks for all your replies - It's a really interesting theory about the knees - I'll give it a go.

[Goldy700]

I find when I am receiving a shiatsu massage lying on my stomach I am fine but when I turn over and lie on my back to have my arms and head done RLS comes on with a vengeance. Exercise bike, yoga stretches in the middle of the night temporarily calms it as does walking barefoot on wet grass. I must say that my nocturnal exercising has some physical health benefits but not pleasant in Winter when freezing cold.

[Keith1231]

Hi Summer194. Do you mean your torso in bed under the covers with your legs still on the floor? I like your theory.👍

[Summer194 in reply to Keith1231]

Not quite - I tried legs sticking out from the bed from the knees - but whilst it works for some it didn't work for me - such is the elusive nature of this curse we have got !

[RLSgirl]

possible nerve impingement has been a long time theory of mine.

When my RLS was severe I could not see any cause and effect correlation. but when I was having some integrative body work done, and also started working on my soft tissues myself I started to notice that I could and actual cause an RLS attack while working on stuck tissue. and that I could also often clam the attack down by releasing the stuck tissue.

Over the years I've learned a lot about my body. I have a short leg that has caused a lifelong pelvic imbalance and some minor abnormal curvature of the spine. I also experienced a lot of complex trauma as a child and have lived a vey anxious life that I think literally tied my up in knots inside. thus all the stuck tissue.

I think the tissues have also been compensating for the structural and postural issues. so that It was the tissue that was giving me stability by holding it all together. My theory as to why it is worse at night is that is when you relax and your tissues/muscles let go of the tension they have been holding during waking hours. in this relaxing there is a loss of stability that can cause further nerve impingement. that is also why changing position can temporarily relieve some symptoms.

Working on my mental and emotional healing has also been a factor since the soft tissue issues are largely due to the complex trauma.

This is all just a working theory I'm playing in my head as I try to understand my body. But over several years of working on releasing soft tissue and restoring movement and balance to my musculoskeletal system my RLS has significantly calmed down. and Now I can also see a cause and affect correlation between it.

There may also be other factors in my RLS but I think its at lest 85% caused by these physical factors.

[Rameau]

I often get milder leg twitches while standing up (particularly late evening), but they usually dissipate within a few minutes.

[Purpleyam]

Hi Summer194, others on this forum and myself included find that if we lie on our fronts in bed over an extra pillow it can lessen the urge to move. Even with my meds taken, and a dose of cannabis oil, I fond that by 10:30pm just when I've dozed off I start to get restless. Thank goodness I can reposition with my many pillows and usually fall asleep. We RLS sufferers do SO many things just for incremental relief!