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2nd Quarter 2006 |
In Touch |
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Power
of Touch Therapeutic clinic 55 Clanfield Street Fredericton North Phone: 457-0653 |
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Restless Leg Syndrome http://beta.restlesslegs.org/index.html |
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It’s Finally Summer
After all the rain that we have had here in
the month of June the sun is a welcome sight.
Finally we can get outside. With the
humidity as high as it is DON’T forget to stay hydrated as you are enjoying all your
outside acivities.
Dehydration can make you
susceptible to leg cramps. Drink at least three full glasses of water each
day, including one before bedtime. Also drink plenty of fluid before, during,
and after exercise especially if you are outdoors.
Walk for Memories
I would like to congradulate the Alzheimers
Society on a truly enjoyable and successful fund raising event that was held
at O’dell Park on Mother’s Day. Count me in to volunteer next year.
Dave Hawkins Memorial Golf Tournament
Power of Touch will be sponsoring this
Northside fundraising event again.
Tee-off date is July 19 at Riverbend Golf
Course. Hope to see you and your team there.
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Do you
have discomfort of your lower legs that makes you fell
like you have to move them especially at night or after you are sitting quiet
for awhile? Do your
leg muscles twitch or do they have a crawling sensation. Maybe even
pain, cramp or have a deep ache? This might
be signs “Restless Leg Syndrome” but always discuss any problems like this
with you Doctor. They can
suggest several options that you can try for relief as it can significantly
disrupt your sleep. There are
some simply things that you can do at home too. Every
article I’ve read about this condition said |
to avoid caffeine and smoking as studies
have found they are a major causing factor. Move your
feet back and forth for a few minutes Then rotate your ankles. Get up and
walk around just for a couple of minutes Often
changing your sleep position can help. A warm
soak in a bath before bedtime. Heat
wrapped around the calf area works for some folks while others find soaking
their feet in cold water works best. Massage to
the calves and feet can provide relief. How about with a lotion or oil with
soothing lavender? Fatigue and stress are two major triggers for RLS. |
Relaxation
techniques such as deep breathing, mediation and yoga can help calm. Try going
to bed and getting up at regular times with the sufficient number of hours of
sleep to feel well rested. Boredom
and drowsiness before bedtime may worsen RLS. Stay mentally alert in the
evenings. Regular
massage therapy treatments can help. Try an evening appointment. The main
focus will be the legs especially the lower legs and feet. Back
surgery and degenerative disc conditions can trigger RLS so we often focus on
low back and hip. |
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Leg and Foot Cramps http://www.pathlights.com/nr_encyclopedia/10musc04.htm |
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Many of
the clients I see on a regular basis have told me about experiencing leg or foot cramps. Waking up
in the middle of the night with muscle cramps of the legs or feet (charley
horse) is not a pleasant experience. This
problem can be related to many things such as reduced blood supply or an
imbalance of calcium or magnesium in the body. |
For
immediate relief massage the muscles. Pull the
toes upward slowly for leg cramping. Heat or
alternating hot and cold compresses (heat for 10 minutes and cold for 2
minutes repeat 4 times) One
recommended method that I had to try myself was drinking peppermint tea and
also applying it as a compress. |
Believe me it works. For
prevention you can try a few things like Drinking
lots of water. Regular exercise
can reduce occurrences of cramping. Don’t sit
with crossed legs. Gentle calf stretches can help. Be aware
of too tight socks and footwear. |
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else that would like to have newsletters letters like this sent directly to their
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