Relax Exercise and Oils

Please share your experiences, successes, and failures in using non-drug therapies for RLS/WED (methods of relief that don't involve swallowing or injecting anything), including compression, heat, light, stretches, acupuncture, etc. Also under this heading, medical interventions that don't involve the administration of a medicine to the body (eg. varicose-vein operations, deep-brain stimulation). [This forum contains Topics started prior to 2009 that deal with Non-prescription Medicines, Supplements, & Diet.]
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beauxreflets
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Relax Exercise and Oils

Post by beauxreflets »

The best relief I have found so far is through:-

Daily exercise during the daytime, followed by spine decompression exercises before bed. The decompression exercises I do are described here http://sites.google.com/site/beauxreflets/keep-fit .

In line with the exercises, I try to ensure I drink enough water and fruit (orange) juice - Also in part to a sensible healthy diet, I am taking a Borage oil (capsule) daily to assist kidney function and natural dopamine production in the adrenal glands, plus a small amount of Coconut oil (spread on a piece of toast) every other day to oil and protect the nervous system (as it apparently crosses the blood brain barrier) and cartilage tissues.

While the above appears to be working for me; Do please check with your GP, neurologist first (just in the case that the oils may not be suited to some people, their conditions or medications).

Regards
Andy
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badnights
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Re: Relax Exercise and Oils

Post by badnights »

Hi Andy

Thanks for the spinal exercises and the advice you provide with them. (very yoga-like advice !) I've printed your page and will give the exercises a try tonight. I'm always looking for ways to keep my back from bothering me at night (and my arms from going numb etc). I don't know if it's related to the RLS at all, but a fairly large number of us seem to have back issues so I wouldn't be surprised.
Beth - Wishing you a restful sleep tonight
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beauxreflets
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Re: Relax Exercise and Oils

Post by beauxreflets »

Hi Beth,

I hope they exercises work for you too.

From my own experience, I think the squeeze, damage upon nerve branches are very relevant to RLS; particularly where they pass through joint areas, knees hips and pelvis. Prolonged poor posture (especially when seated) no doubt compounds things, as I have less RLS problems when I have had an active day and the flow of nerve signals is less hindered in form of nerve cell 'bottle necking'.

A Happy New Year to you and all.

Regards
Andy
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badnights
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Re: Relax Exercise and Oils

Post by badnights »

Happy New Year to you too! I tried the exercises and I think I will incorporate at least the thoracic and decompression ones into my non-routine (my irregular yoga practice). The moves are very similar to moves I get from yoga, but the slight back and forth swaying is not commonly taught by yoga teachers, with notable excpetions like Shiva Rea. They are very gentle exercises, I would recommend them for anyone with back pain.

There are theories (based on evidence of some sort, I forget what) that a component of RLS has to do with failure of the CNS to inhibit various signals that travel down the spinal cord. That is, in normal people these signals are being repressed all the time except when needed, whereas in RLS they are allowed to pass all the time (or all the time that the RLS is active; wasn't clear). Maybe that cna help explain all the anecdotal evidence that RLS is related to injury of spinal & nearby nerves.

Regardless of whether a happy spine helps RLS or not, it sure makes life more pleasant.
Beth - Wishing you a restful sleep tonight
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beauxreflets
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Re: Relax Exercise and Oils

Post by beauxreflets »

I am pleased you are finding the exercises useful Beth.

Having returned from a consultation with my Neurologist I am smiling as I recall the expression on his face and his words 'the movement is very good,' while he put me through the usual walking and hand co-ordination exercises used to ascertain progression in RLs / PD.

More than this, he seemed amazed that, I have not needed the use of thermal underwear as in previous years, my general all round improvements, and accordingly with encouraging words, almost insistent, that I continue with my evening exercise routine I developed towards decompression, alignment and health of the spine.

And finally, while not apparently moved by the mention of the Borage and Coconut oils I take, he noted down the fact that I made no request for medication previously taken to relax the cramps, and I was very pleased when he wrote to prescribe Stalevo at various strengths; to accommodate the fluctuating requirement levels, providing me with the ability to adapt the dose to suit physical need.

[::biggrin::]

While I realise it may not work for everyone, for those interested, the exercises I developed are described here. http://sites.google.com/site/beauxreflets/keep-fit

And thank you for the feedback, as I feel sure quite a few folk can benefit in a similar way

Regards
Andy
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Polar Bear
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Re: Relax Exercise and Oils

Post by Polar Bear »

Andy, I like the look of your exercises and plan to work them into my day.
Unfortunately not tonight as we are having a grandkiddies sleepover :),
Betty
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Re: Relax Exercise and Oils

Post by beauxreflets »

Hi Polar Bear,

The exercises do not take long to do - and I encourage my children to do them when they need to, if they are complaining of back ache or have spent too long sitting at the computer in fixed positions with the poor posture it encourages!.

Decompression of the spine will assist any age group and assists the vertebra discs to recoup fully for the rigours of the next day. Most importantly ensure you have enough water intake to reap the full benefit - Only to add that the best time for the exercises is prior to a relaxing bath and sleep.

Regards
Andy
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badnights
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Re: Relax Exercise and Oils

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I am baffled by your statement that your dr gave you "the usual walking and hand co-ordination exercises used to ascertain progression in RLs / PD. "

There are no such exercises. There is no way to ascertain existence or improvement or worsening of RLS other than through a patient's recounting. And no way for PLMs except to measure them with EMG. And RLS is not known to cause lack of coordination. And RLS is not cramps.

Your recent post makes me wonder if you have something other than RLS. When you move, walk about, do your symptoms lessen or go away? Do you feel an urge to move if you sit or lie still in the evenings? These are key criteria that must be met to be diagnosed with RLS.
Beth - Wishing you a restful sleep tonight
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Re: Relax Exercise and Oils

Post by ViewsAskew »

Badnights, neurologists do that sometimes. One of mine did, the other did not. I was quite annoyed to have an hour meeting when half of it was them videotaping my coordination and them charging my insurance $500 for it.
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rthom
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Re: Relax Exercise and Oils

Post by rthom »

Thanks for the exercises--i've a spinal prob as well (had surgery) anyway am using them to help along with my other exercises--and i've encouraged my wife and mostly my oldest son (been having backaches--way too much). Very timely-thanks again.

A question about the testing thing--my specialist is baffeled because sometimes when they so the nerve conduction test (on the computer--with the needles) sometimes they get noise/responses and sometimes not much at all. Is this what u are refering to?

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Re: Relax Exercise and Oils

Post by beauxreflets »

badnights wrote:I am baffled by your statement that your dr gave you "the usual walking and hand co-ordination exercises used to ascertain progression in RLs / PD. "

There are no such exercises. There is no way to ascertain existence or improvement or worsening of RLS other than through a patient's recounting. And no way for PLMs except to measure them with EMG. And RLS is not known to cause lack of coordination. And RLS is not cramps.

Your recent post makes me wonder if you have something other than RLS. When you move, walk about, do your symptoms lessen or go away? Do you feel an urge to move if you sit or lie still in the evenings? These are key criteria that must be met to be diagnosed with RLS.


The tests my neurologist does are primarily in regard to PD, and following indepth discussion of all my symptoms over the years, he identified the RLS aspect as being part of the situation.

I had the RLS symptoms, constantly readjusting the right leg when trying to relax for sleep, and indeed spent times walking around to ease the situation. Along side this there have been times of dramatic leg jerks as the muscles relaxed just as I was dropping off to sleep and indeed times when I have to move my leg when sitting at the computer or watching TV in the evenings. Contraction of muscle parts may be a better way of describing the muscle cramps and the inability for the leg to achieve a relaxed state quickly while the rest of the body is limp.

Yes, it could be something else other than RLS. I can only go upon what the neurologist identified, and add that he stated that sometimes the two go hand in hand as RLS develops further with some patients to become part of Secondary Parkinson's. I also understand that in many cases the same drugs are prescribed for both these ailments.

Only to add that my problems seem to stem from a childhood back injury restricting upon the central nerve and nerve branches to the legs. The exercises and both the oils I take definately make a big difference to quality of life. I no longer need Tramazipan type medication or sleeping pills to get to sleep :D

Hope that clears up the baffling bit Beth.

Regards
Andy
Last edited by beauxreflets on Thu Jan 12, 2012 10:54 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Relax Exercise and Oils

Post by beauxreflets »

rthom wrote:Thanks for the exercises--i've a spinal prob as well (had surgery) anyway am using them to help along with my other exercises--and i've encouraged my wife and mostly my oldest son (been having backaches--way too much). Very timely-thanks again.

A question about the testing thing--my specialist is baffeled because sometimes when they so the nerve conduction test (on the computer--with the needles) sometimes they get noise/responses and sometimes not much at all. Is this what u are refering to?


Hi rthom,

Pleased the exercises are helping.

The testing I was refering to was more in regard to Parkinson's, where the difference within limbs shows in outward signs. Although timing muscle relaxation rates would possibly be a good test for RLS in relation to getting any medication levels at the optimum measure (as with some drugs, the overdose symptoms are the same as the original symptoms being treated).

Regards
Andy
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badnights
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Re: Relax Exercise and Oils

Post by badnights »

Ah ! I am foolish. I somehow saw "PD" as a typo of PLM". Sorry about that. Since spasms or involuntary movements are very common in RLS, I imagine with PD combined with RLS, there is a lot of cross-over where you can't be sure what's causing what.

@views: I know that neurologists will sometimes do nerve conduction tests to rule out other problems, but not to test the progression of RLS/WED, so that's what I was puzzled about.

Cramps are barely ever mentioned in literature sources as something associated with RLS /WED but they're mentioned a lot by patients on this board. I have noticed cramps (in feet, legs, butt, and hands) as well as weakness and loss of fine motor control in my hands. I haven't mentioned these things in a serious way to my doctors yet, but apparently none of it has anything to do with RLS.

I am still loving those very simple exercises. I have a particular problem with my upper back, and although most yoga helps my back, there are certain kundalini yoga exercises that involve repetitive movements with the arms, and these cause a knot of pain to form in my upper back near the right shoulder-blade. I paused the yoga DVD and did the thoracic spinal exercise, then continued - and the pain was gone! I did it only twice during the DVD and no pain! I could even sit and meditate. Thanks again for those.
Beth - Wishing you a restful sleep tonight
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