RLS and nerves

[Guest guest]

OK, let's think about this. The research I have seen in the Nightwalker

suggests that the sensory nerves, which are the nerves that gather

information about our environment, fail to stop triggering off. This

activates the motor nerves to the muscles. If you have overly sensitive

nerves think of all the things that can trigger it off.

Varicose veins - there are sensory nerves in the legs and VVs cause a lot

of swelling and compression in the leg so compression on the sensory nerves

of the leg.

Back - there are lots of different types of back problems but all of them

can lead to compression of the nerves of the lower extremities either with

actual disc compression or swelling or twisted ligaments.

Neck - again lots of compression on the nerves. Since we are connected

from top to bottom, lots of neck problems affect the low back also and vice

versa.

There are major nerves that come from the neck and go along across the

chest and into the arms. If the muscles of the chest, for what ever reason

are tight (either spasm or shortening), they can compress these nerves

causing all sorts of problems with the arms and hands. However, be careful

stretching because you can damage these same nerves. If you are having

lots of compression symptoms (numbness, radiating pain), go to a professional.

Knees - same thing, compression with either deformity or swelling. The

man who injured his knee and got better may have changed the way he walked

after the injury which may have taken pressure off the nerves.

Most people have worse problems after injury - because of some change.

Bladders are sitting right near major nerves to the legs. If they are

overly sensitive, then a full bladder could compress the nerves.

One of the tests for sensory integration problems (problems with over

reaction to sensory stimulus) is to ask if that individual can tolerate

tags in their clothes. I work with a lot of ADDs who wear only cotton, no

tags and the whole bit. Lots of ADD kids overreact and/or get totally

distracted by smells, textures (esp. in food), too much visual stuff, loud

noises (we may not think it so loud but their overreaction does) and touch

(what we may think is light touch triggers off a pain and protective

response in them) and/or they have poor balance (response to gravity).

Lots of disabled kids have sensory problems because they do not develop a

normal response to gravity which is a major sensory force to tell us where

are bodies are in relationship to space and do not develop a normal

response to sensory stimulus.

As for compression around the bra line, the area of the back near the bra

line is a major component in rotational movement. I often see patients

with a nice twist right there, no wonder it hurts and of course it

compresses the nerves. And it can happen to men AND women though I think

the bra aggravates it on women.

Lee, PT

Citrus Heights, CA