Karen Hageman Obituary, December 2023

Karen was a major contributor to RAIA and made an impact that will never be forgotten.

Restless Leg Syndrome

June 2023

Such a grinding your teeth irritating feeling. Have you or someone you know dealt with this problem? I do. I believe that my mother had it back in the 1980’s. It just wasn’t known at that time. I and one of my other sisters deal with this frustration. It is uncontrollable. I describe it as “frog legs in a hot frying pan” There are times, they just go off on their own.

When I first began having Restless Legs (and yes, sometimes it is both legs at the same time), it was a feeling that I had never felt before. No matter how much I would walk or lay flat on the floor to stretch out, they would continue to jump. For me it was back in 2000 that it would begin when I would be traveling for a long period of time.

When I worked at the Ottumwa Hospital, I learned through a drug rep that it is electrical. Which now that I think about it all these years that yes, I can see where it is. It feels like an electrical current that is going from your hip down your leg. I have heard of several remedies. Most recent was at our Spring Conference when I was told that maybe I was low on Magnesium and Iron. So, I bought some Magnesium flakes as suggested and a small dose of Iron. I do take Ropinirole daily and it does calm them down after a while, but I am trying the Magnesium and Iron and giving it time.

I have also been trying Frankincense for inflammation and the ache that comes with the constant jerking. It too is helping. I also don’t drink caffeine either.

So, with that information, what reflexes would you choose to work on to help lessen or alleviate Restless Legs?

1. If it is electrical?
2. If it is both legs?
3. If it is in your arms?
4. What if it is inherited?
5. It can be hard on the nerves.

More information about Restless Leg Syndrome:

• Restless leg syndrome or RLS, is a neurological disorder.
• It is, as the name says, restlessness in the legs and sometimes described as a tingling sensation, or “irritability” of the legs along with an urge to move them. It can even be in the arms. A dull ache will start and then it turns into the jumping or jerking motion. Many times, when the issue is a nerve related one, you can lay or sit on the nerve affected and it will numb that nerve but not with RLS, in fact it makes it worse. Why?
• These sensations usually come when the legs are at rest, so they can interrupt sleep or efforts to rest and relax. You would think if your legs or arms are at rest, that RLS wouldn’t happen but that is when it usually does.
• Whether the RLS is constant or intermittent, temporary relief can come almost immediately when the legs are moving and are active.
• With no specific known cause and affecting young and old, RLS often worsens with age. Some causes of RLS are thought to be symptoms related to diabetes, pregnancy and sometimes it’s also associated with anemia. (Hence the iron).

Now that you know a little more about RLS what reflexes would you work?

– CNS, including the Solar Plexus and Sciatic Nerve Reflexes

– Musculo-Skeletal System Reflexes, including the Diaphragm, Lumbar Spine, Sacrum, Pelvis and Leg, Hip & Knee Reflexes.

– Immune System Reflexes, including the Spleen Reflex (for anemia).

– And any other reflexes that may be contributing, i.e., if there is diabetes (and it’s controlled), Would you include the pancreas?

I will be interested to hear your thoughts. You are a very talented group of Reflexologists. I love to hear your opinions, your suggestions, your thoughts.

Thank you,

Renita Murrell