RLS arm relief
Posted: Mon Nov 01, 2004 12:08 pm
As I think I've said here before, I get RLS badly in the arms. In the past this has led me to do some pretty bizare things like shaking my arms in the air and trying to go to sleep with my hands pointing in the air or with them tucked under the mattress (you can do it if you try!!!)!!
The past few nights I've worked on a new 'therapy' which I now can report as having been fairly useful.
I set off going to sleep lying on my side and then whichever arm decides to 'kick in' I lie on that side with my arm tucked in with the hand on the shoulder. The other hand I grab hold of my forearm. When there is a bad sensation developing I (stage 1) tighten the hand grip just slightly, or a little more if needed, or (stage 2) I tighten the muscles in the affected arm in a flexing manner or (stage 3) as I tighten the muscles I make the arm shivver - much in the same way as when you over exert a limb it can shivver. Then relax.
This 'tool kit' allows me to apply remedies of varying strength according to the severity of the RLS (or RAS!!!). Quite often, I've found that the presence of the hand on the arm is sufficient to keep the problem at bay.
Of course, the major advantage of this box of tricks is that it allows you to be in a sleeping position.
It's not a 'catch all' rememdy - but I would estimate - 70% better for me.
Maybe it can help you too. I pray it does.
Pete
The past few nights I've worked on a new 'therapy' which I now can report as having been fairly useful.
I set off going to sleep lying on my side and then whichever arm decides to 'kick in' I lie on that side with my arm tucked in with the hand on the shoulder. The other hand I grab hold of my forearm. When there is a bad sensation developing I (stage 1) tighten the hand grip just slightly, or a little more if needed, or (stage 2) I tighten the muscles in the affected arm in a flexing manner or (stage 3) as I tighten the muscles I make the arm shivver - much in the same way as when you over exert a limb it can shivver. Then relax.
This 'tool kit' allows me to apply remedies of varying strength according to the severity of the RLS (or RAS!!!). Quite often, I've found that the presence of the hand on the arm is sufficient to keep the problem at bay.
Of course, the major advantage of this box of tricks is that it allows you to be in a sleeping position.
It's not a 'catch all' rememdy - but I would estimate - 70% better for me.
Maybe it can help you too. I pray it does.
Pete