Movement as a relief for RLS?

rudedoodle · Post by **rudedoodle** » Thu Sep 01, 2011 8:24 pm

I was wondering- when your legs go into RLS, if someone else moved them for you; as in physically raised and lowered them- would that bring relief? Or is the relief only because you work the muscles to move your own legs?
Does muscle contraction disperse the antsy feeling, or is the physical moving does it?
If I lay still and someone lifted and lowered my leg, would that give relief, or would that do nothing?

Post by **Polar Bear** » Thu Sep 01, 2011 8:27 pm

What an interesting question.
I don't believe I've heard this one before, and I'm afraid I just don't know.
But... speaking for myself I reckon it would take the physical act of walking.

Can't wait to see what views others may have on this.

Scarlett46 · Post by **Scarlett46** » Thu Sep 01, 2011 11:48 pm

For me, it's definitely the muscle involvement. Sometimes I can manage by simply tensing my muscles; when I am unable to get up and walk. When it's really bad - and painful/achy - I do a lot of stretching and bending, and curling up and tensing.

Last year, when I had surgery on my hip, RLS was a big concern for me; because I knew that I would be very limited in my ability to move certain parts of my leg by myself. I used a continuous passive motion machine after the surgery. I would say that it did absolutely nothing to help when the "jumpies" started. If anything, I felt more restricted with it. I would find myself wiggling everything else that would wiggle in hopes of drawing my mind's attention away from my immobile leg.

Honestly though, I only had a few really bad nights in relation to the surgery. :wink:

I would (will - the other side is scheduled for this winter) do it all over again without hesitation.

rudedoodle · Post by **rudedoodle** » Fri Sep 02, 2011 6:17 am

Scarlet, that's exactly what I wondered, if a machine to move your legs would help. Interesting to know. Thought it was probably more likely the action of the muscles changing from relaxed to tense.

Post by **badnights** » Fri Sep 02, 2011 8:04 am

For me, I'm sure that the muscles need to work, that a machine or person moving my legs would not help. I can get relief from tensing my muscles without walking, if the WED is not too bad.

Post by **Chipmunk** » Fri Sep 02, 2011 3:17 pm

It feels to me like moving my legs releases some sort of electrical build-up, which would not happen if I didn't have to fire my muscle fibers to move them.

rudedoodle · Post by **rudedoodle** » Fri Sep 02, 2011 3:21 pm

Electrical build up is EXACTLY how I try to describe the feeling. It's like it's charging up and will explode if you don't move.

Post by **ViewsAskew** » Fri Sep 02, 2011 10:17 pm

In the past couple years, a unit was tested that squeezed the muscles - much like those units do in hospital. I remember seeing the study posted here....somewhere.

It was quite successful, as far as I remember. I don't know how long the improved results (no sensations) lasted and can remember thinking that I'd need to wear it at least 14 hours a day, lol, so I didn't really look into it any further.

In essence, the machine was moving the muscles for the person.

Post by **badnights** » Thu Sep 08, 2011 6:26 am

wow. I'd wear it at night. why not.