|
Restless legs syndrome (RLS) has been reported to occur in up to 5% of the population with equal distribution between men and women. The main feature of RLS is an irresistible urge to move the legs and sometimes the hands, due to deep burning or uncomfortable sensation. The sensations may be described as creeping, pulling, creepy-crawling, cramps, itching or burning. The symptoms always occur when the subject is resting - either trying to sleep at night or sitting quietly - and the symptoms are typically helped by voluntary movement of the affected limb. Symptoms can be more obvious in one limb than the other. Symptoms typically get worse at night or in the evening, especially when subjects attempt to lie down. RLS may also be associated with insomnia or leg jerking at night (typically ever 20 - 30 seconds and sometimes during daytime wakefulness.) These movements can affect arms as well. Long standing untreated RLS can cause subjects to fall asleep during daytime and may affect work and social activities. Other family members may also be affected by RLS. RLS may be unmasked during the third trimester of pregnancy and may be associated with iron deficiency anaemia.
Drug treatment is currently long-term use of pharmaceuticals. Benzodiasepines, opiates and levodopa have been used with variable success.
Recently Dr T Peters of the London College of Osteopathic Medicine carried out a treatment study of 20 sufferers of RLS to determine what effect an osteopathic technique called Positional Release (or Strain-Counter strain) has on patients with RLS. Four treatment sessions were offered at weekly intervals. The subjects consisted of 14 female and 6 male volunteers. Thirteen patients had durations of symptoms of over 5 years. Nineteen patients completed the 4 treatment sessions, one patient withdrawing because treatment exacerbated his condition. At five weeks, 5 patients had complete relief of symptoms and a further 5 had 80% or greater relief. The remainder had at least 50% relief except one woman with a 70 year history had 25% relief, although with the rest of the group there was no relationship between duration of symptoms and likelihood of recovery. No patient continued using any other therapy. We can conclude from this short study that osteopathic treatment has an effect on the relief of symptoms of RLS and should encourage future studies to take place. So if you suffer from RLS why not give your osteopath a try.
|
