Re: My fault. :)

[Guest guest]

Dear Jill,

Thank you for reprinting that. I've been so overwhelmed lately by

everything. By the time I get through all my email message I barely have

time to respond. But let me add to it now.

Sensory integration is our way of learning about our environment. We learn

through touch, taste, sight, hearing and response to gravity

(proprioception/body awareness). People with sensory integration (or

sensory processing) problems over or under react. Under reactors go around

with tons of bruises because they don't feel when they hit something. Over

reactors can't stand touch (lightly bump a tactily defensive person and you

might get hit - it feels painful to them, they can stand tags on clothes,

tight clothes, wear a lot of cotton), loud noises, certain textures of food

and more.

RLS definitely has a sensory component. One of the basic treatments is to

use a surgical scrub brush to brush the body. I understand that there are

some vegetable brushes for brushing mushrooms that are soft. The important

thing is that it not scratch the skin and open a wound. Precautions as

stated are:

Do not brush the chest or the face (ears are ok) because of possible

autonomic nervous system reactions (breathing, blood pressure)

Most guides suggest not brushing the stomach, but I have done it carefully

if a kids is too tactile and I need to work on the stomach.

Don't brush over open wounds or blood clots - wash the brush often

Brushes do wear out over time.

Observe your reaction carefully

How to:

I like to use the oval brushes. Use the brush the long way and brush over

the long muscles (does this make sense?) In other words, brush the feet

from toe to ankle, the leg ankle to knee, behind the knee, or from toe to

knee. Don't brush sideways.

With ADD I follow it with joint compression - I will brush the leg, then

grab the toes and push the leg into the hip joint, compressing the ankle

and knee and hip joints. I don't find it so necessary for RLS.

Brush when needed and as much as needed - I have never been able to over

brush. You have to experiment to find out what works for you. I brush 10

minutes sometimes and just a few strokes others. Play with it, watch your

reaction.

I does work better if you catch the RLS or PLMS in the early stages.

Hope all this info helps. I am copying it all and think I will rewrite it

all. It does ramble a bit. Hope it helps.

Lee, PT

51, Citrus Heights, CA