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I am a healthy 44 year old female who has begun to experience slight, mild symptoms. For instance, while laying still, my foot or arm may hop just a bit, even though I did not initiate the movement. Too, I have ever-so-slight vibrations in my foot, or calf, or hand. I am wondering whether this is due to weakness of muscles from not working out sufficiently, or are these manifestations of stress? I have no other symptoms to report: no dizziness, no nausea, no eye-related problems, no stiffness, no burning, no other chronic symptoms at all. But for over the last six months, I have had a feeling of my left side being a little weaker in the arm and leg, and I do have those ever-so-slight twitches happening on occassion. Also, I can stand on my right foot forever, balancing well -- but when I try standing only on my left foot, my balance is less keen.
Any recommendations for natural products, exercise and comments of any nature would be helpful. My hunch is that it's a little nerve issue, perhaps from stress (I cared for an ailing, wonderful father for years before he passed away a half year ago.)
In Reply to: Little Nervous Ticks in Body posted by Holly [3667.993] on April 25, 2005 at 11:08:35:
Hi Holly:
This could be a sign of nerve impingement. A good chiropractor should be able to release any resulting muscle spams and imbalances.
A magnesium/potassium deficiency can also cause "hoping" muscles twitches and muscle weakness.
In Reply to: Re: Little Nervous Ticks in Body posted by PhillyLady [1906.1536] on April 25, 2005 at 11:14:16:
That's what I thought, also. I went to a Chiro and he did not follow through along those lines at all. I was disappointed. Would a nerve impingement cause effects in both my lower extremity and upper extremity? From time to time, I feel a little "pulse" going on my left leg, also, as if it's a localized heartbeat right there. I purchased a mag/calcium/potassium supplement this weekend. I am a bit scared of injesting potassium, even in a low dose -- but I will give it a try. How long before it would have benefits, do you feel? Also, will exercise improve this, I wonder. Finally, I have access to a MENS (Microelectric) unit, which is supposed to provide a current identical to our bodies own, to help with healing. Do you think that nerves respond with the MENS use, also? Thanks for writing.
In Reply to: Little Nervous Ticks in Body posted by Holly [3667.993] on April 25, 2005 at 11:08:35:
I have these twitches too most of the time when I'm lying down trying to go to sleep. I don't know what it is. It's always been more of a curiosity or sometimes annoyance than a concern to me. Would be interested in knowing what it might be though.
In Reply to: Little Nervous Ticks in Body posted by Holly [3667.993] on April 25, 2005 at 11:08:35:
Doctor: Do you believe that MENS applications can help with my reported slight tingles, involuntary twitches and involuntary hops that happen from time to time in my foot, calf and forearm area? I guess I am asking whether you believe there's slight nerve damage causes these unwanted little tingles and slight hops; and if so, does MENS help with nerve regeneration.
I spoke to my chiro, who said that a nerve impingement can be located via a spinal x-ray, which I decline to have, or an MRI, which he says I cannot justify to my insurance company. I was hoping he could make some adjustments that just might coincidentally alleviate these little issues, and he promises to try.
I am embarking on a gentle exercise program, which I have done off-and-on for 25 years, trying to re-strengthen the left leg and arm and provide more stability and coordination on the left side. I am careful not to overuse my knees because I am aware that I can ask for knee trouble if I do so, so my exercixe program needs to be moderate.
In Reply to: Re: Little Nervous Ticks in Body posted by Holly [3667.993] on April 25, 2005 at 11:21:19:
Holly,
I agree with Philly Lady, I think your mag/calcium/potassium is off..Before you take any supplements, you may want to try juicing some vegetables because raw veggie juice will absorb better..If you do want to take a supplement, try a green food product or wheat grass juice first..
Silver Fox!
In Reply to: Re: Little Nervous Ticks in Body posted by Steve [3019.1399] on April 25, 2005 at 12:11:25:
Steve: Thanks for writing. We have a fresh juice vendor nearby. Which juices would you suggest if, indeed, my potassium/calcium/magnesium is deficient? Also, I took natural anti-inflammatories for quite some time in an attempt to resolve a knee issue, which has improved vastly. Do you think that was sufficient to throw off my pot/cal/mag balance? Thanks for letting me know what raw vegetables you would ask for in your juice drink -- in order to intake pot/cal/mag appropriately. How soon will the body respond, if you should know. And as I said, my balance and strength is sub-par on the left side of my body. Does this seem to stem from that imbalance, also -- or do you think it's a simple atrophy response? Thanks for discussing: I can use a friend on this!
In Reply to: Nervous Ticks, Vibrations & Hops in Limbs posted by Holly [3667.993] on April 25, 2005 at 12:34:22:
Holly,
Your best sources for cal/mag/phos are your leafy green veggies..Spinach, celery, cucumbers, bell peppers, kale, beets & tops..Add carrots and a apple for taste..If they will make you wheat or barley grass juice and you can stand the taste, try that..If taste is a problem, try wheat grass freeze dried..
I would say your balance is off from poor absorbsion..Juicing should help right away..Don't be surprised if your GI tract starts moving and you feel a little sick to your tummy..
Silver Fox!
In Reply to: Re: Nervous Ticks, Vibrations & Hops in Limbs posted by Steve [3019.1399] on April 25, 2005 at 12:55:31:
Steve: I do indeed eat broccoli, cucumbers, almonds, brazil nuts, spinach, lettuce, apples, cranberries, tomatoes, peas, chickpeas, tuna, chicken, pineapple, strawberries, grapes, oranges, blueberries and whole grains every day. I'm surprised that I would be so deficient.
Perhaps my year long intake of natural anti-inflams (SourceNatural) to treat two back-to-back overuse injuries (too much stationery biking in February 04 and stair taking in June 04) perhaps purged my body of these essential ingredients. Would you think this could be the cause?
Also, I do take a joint supplement that has calcium and magnesium in it, and I do take a magnesium supplement alone. Thus, it must be potassium where I am low, if my mild but annoying vibrating/hopping/tick issue is a result of nutritional deficiency. I have never had a charlie-horse type of cramp -- I just feel the ever so slightest quivering internally within my left foot arch, my left calf, plus my left forearm and hand seem slightly weaker than my right forearm and hand. All potassium related -- possibly? Thanks, Steve -- and how are you? I hope well! Thanks for reaching out and making me feel better.
In Reply to: Re: Little Nervous Ticks in Body posted by Holly [3667.993] on April 25, 2005 at 11:21:19:
Hi Holly:
In addition to the advice that Steve has given you, you could address your chiropractic and MENS Unit questions directly to ChironDave on board. He's very knowledgeable and has an alternative approach to chiropractic.
To answer your question, yes nerve impingement can cause numbness and/or tingling of the extremities. It sounds like your present chiropractor isn't interested in locating the source of your problems. Maybe it's time to find another:-)
In Reply to: Foods to Help Ticks, Vibrations & Hops in Limbs posted by Holly [3667.993] on April 25, 2005 at 13:28:57:
Holly,
Even though your diet is good and you are taking supplements, you still can have poor absorbsion and be lacking the correct level of nutrients..I think your problem is in your gut..Could it be the anti-inflams, yes but also could be more..You list some good foods but if they are improperly combined ( fruit with protein ) then fermentation and putrefaction occur, stopping proper food digestion..Over time the body does not get the proper nutrients..Any time you have a problem ( like you do ) your body is trying to tell you what's wrong..
How am I, great, thanks for asking..If you have not already noticed from some of my other post, I am deep into detoxing and rebuilding..How do I feel? Like that guy with the red S on his chest..LOL..
Silver Fox!
In Reply to: Re: Foods to Help Ticks, Vibrations & Hops in Limbs posted by Steve [3019.1399] on April 25, 2005 at 14:03:52:
SilverFox: Thanks for your assistance. I do not separate my fruits from my proteins. Should I? Please give me the broad combinations that are appropriate and inappropriate, and I will make a strong effort to correct them.
Also, my chiro prescribed a custom orthotic, and it just dawned on me that the left one continues to feel like it's jamming itself into my left arch. Perhaps it's too high. He's a huge believer in orthotics -- but it could have to do with his passion for billing! They did cost my insurance company $500. Maybe I should leave them out of my walking shoes to take the compression off that arch.
Also, I would hate for him to go on a hunt for the pinched nerve in my spine. Geeze, I feel great (I mean super duper, with all kinds of energy, positivism, and well-being; and I have very good health habits) except for the few times a day where my foot decides to jerk on it's own. I would hate for a chiro to tinker with my neck and spine, and cause me a boat load of problems.
I like the nutritional approach first. Please assist me, if you will, with learning how to combine or separate my foods in order to maximum absorption.
In Reply to: Re: Foods to Help Ticks, Vibrations & Hops in Limbs posted by Holly [3667.993] on April 25, 2005 at 14:57:14:
Holly,
I would suggest getting a book on food combining..Basic, Fruits alone on an empty stomach..Melons alone, do not eat them with any other fruit..Do not mix starches with proteins..Ok to eat vegetables with starches or proteins..
There are always exceptions and we are all different..If you have trouble digesting vegetables, you may find juicing a better option..Vegetables are muscular/skeletal foods and fruits are brain and nerve foods..
I agree with Philly Lady, if your chiro is not getting the job done, find another, or another program..
Silver Fox!
In Reply to: Re: Little Nervous Ticks in Body posted by PhillyLady [1906.1536] on April 25, 2005 at 13:52:59:
PhillyLady: Thank you for writing today. Suddenly, I am suspect that my present chiro is missing opportunities to solve my problem. He suggested an MRI or a spine x-ray, both of which I declined. I thought he should have an ability without those tests to manipulate my body in such a way to relieve any possible impinged nerves.
My problems are minor, but I would like them resolved. I will write ChironDan here, and see what he has to say. Steve, by the way, believes I am absorbing my nutrients poorly, perhaps because I am combining my foods without any thought. While I make wise food choices, I am not separating fruits from protein, for example.
I will begin taking potassium (99 mcg) with my calcium and magnesium. Perhaps in a couple weeks, my minor tingles, foot hopping, and somewhat vibrating left arm issues will resolve themselves. Of course, I will strength train (for the first time in a long time) and do the wobble board and trampoline for coordination and flexibility and circulation.
As I said, I feel otherwise quite well. Extremely well, in fact, with no other symptoms or disease to mention whatsoever. But these occassional twitches and internal vibrations in small areas -- perhaps brought on by my overuse sports injuries or life stress -- have concerned me for some months now. Perhaps I compressed or traumatized a nerve when I overdid my stationery biking in February 2004. ChironDan could possibly comment on that.
Thank you -- and I hope you are well!
In Reply to: Re: Foods to Help Ticks, Vibrations & Hops in Limbs posted by Steve [3019.1399] on April 25, 2005 at 15:14:16:
Thanks, Steve, for the rough sketch of food combining. Of course, I have heard of this before -- but had not paid heed to it. Now I will. I certainly have combined my foods against these guidelines -- but no more!
Regarding my chiropractor: Yes, he is not a good listener, and he is overly harsh on my body. I was not impressed when he felt an MRI or x-ray of my spine were necessary to locate an impinged nerve. I thought he would manipulate me with the intention of solving any sublaxations, without the aide of a MRI or x-ray.
I'm going to try your food combining approach, add potassium to my supplement list, strengthen my body with a moderate approach to exercise, and be mindful to meditate daily to offset common stress. If these behavior modifications do not solve this minor problem -- which is all I believe it is -- then I will seek help from a new chiro. Plus, I have a borrowed, new MENS unit; and I believe it should go a long way in bump-starting my tissues and cells into recovering from my two big bouts of overuse injuries last year.
I'll report back in a couple weeks. Thank you, sir!
In Reply to: Food Combining posted by Holly [3667.993] on April 25, 2005 at 15:22:38:
nmi
In Reply to: Little Nervous Ticks in Body posted by Holly [3667.993] on April 25, 2005 at 11:08:35:
Hi,Holly.
Most likely cause is low intracellular magnesium (see the magnesium archives) and the next most likely cause is stress. Usually, at this stage, both are contributing.
Let us know how you do.
Walt
In Reply to: Dr. Walt: MENS for Little Ticks and Hops posted by Holly [3667.993] on April 25, 2005 at 11:44:15:
Yeah, Holly.
MENS might help but this is NOT a MENS deficiency. See my previous post to you.
Walt
In Reply to: Re: Little Nervous Ticks in Body posted by Walt Stoll [93.1889] on April 26, 2005 at 08:20:00:
Thank you, sir, for replying. I have increased my magnesium intake from 500 mg. to 750 mg. Should I be willing to go to 1000 mg.? Also, my February 2005 CBC, like all my other twice-yearly ones, shows all my markers in range: Potassium 4.6, calcium 9.4, and magnesium 2.1. Actually, the magnesium is a little bit closer to the high end of the normal range, whereas the potassium and calcium are dead center. Thus, could I really be all that low in magnesium? I have, as I have reported here, taken 500-600 mg. magnesium regularly for years.
I am wondering whether this is what is called BFS. It seems magnesium is called for in treating it. How high, doctor, should I consider going with the magnesium, and for how long? I also wondered if this is nerve damage from my overzealous workout, from my new orthotic which seems to be jamming my left foot, and from using the computer mouse all day long with my left hand in order to give my right hand a break.
Stress: You may be on to something! I've worked quite a bit of overtime lately, and completed a real estate deal. Perhaps it's causing this tingling in my left foot arch and my left hand, plus the little foot jerk now and then.
If you could, sir, I'd appreciate you writing again. I will read carefully the magnesium archives here, and put into play what I learn. I am interested, though, in what you think about my CBC values as described above, and how much magnesium I ought to try and for how long.
Again, thank you. And of course, I will stay in touch so others can learn from my experience.
Finally, have you seen this problem resolve itself in individuals?
In Reply to: Re: Dr. Walt: MENS for Little Ticks and Hops posted by Walt Stoll [93.1889] on April 26, 2005 at 08:27:44:
I know you believe that microelectrical treatment is promising. Thus, I wondered whether using the MENS machine on my left foot arch and left hand could help improve my little ticks, hops, tingles. My logic was that it could stimulate healing of all sorts, and if in fact, my tissues are damaged for whatever reason, the MENS could stimulate repair.
But I see that you are on the magnesium track, which certainly seems to be the popular root cause suggested.
I am going to (a) reduce stress by doing the things I do in order to curb it, (b) learn how much magnesium I need to injest to calm these ticks and twitches and vibrations and jerks, and (c) use the MENS unit locally.
Of course, MENS cannot cause harm at this point, correct?
I'll stay in touch, sir, and thank you for responding.
In Reply to: To Dr. Walt: A Couple Questions about Magnesium Levels posted by Holly [3667.993] on April 26, 2005 at 10:04:07:
Thanks, Holly.
A serum magnesium is worse than worthless! You really need to spend some time in the magnesium archives. It is even possible that none of your oral magnesium is being absorbed.
The ELEMENTAL magnesium is what matters and if it is not on the lable your health food store owner can figure it out for you. How to do it is also in the archives.
The only permanent solution I have seen for this is when the individual applies both the SR and magnesium. Temporarily, the massage series and/or Rolfing will help quickly. See the bracing, massage and the Rolfing archives.
Walt
In Reply to: Dr. Walt: MENS Unit Cannot Hurt, Right? posted by Holly [3667.993] on April 26, 2005 at 10:09:27:
Holly,
Right! No harm.
Walt
In Reply to: Re: To Dr. Walt: A Couple Questions about Magnesium Levels posted by Walt Stoll [93.1889] on April 27, 2005 at 07:38:41:
I have embarked on some personal relaxation techniques because I made the connection that ignoring stress was contributing to the tingle situation. I'll go the SR, Rolfing, Massage archives; and learn more there. I hope there's a book on the SR technique because I'd like it nearby, at home, versus accessing the internet information only. Can you reveal to me if there is, indeed, a book that can be purchased? I will do my homework, of course, but I'd like to know more readily if a book is available to guide me through SR.
In Reply to: To Dr. Walt: I Will Check Other Archives posted by Holly [3667.993] on April 27, 2005 at 11:10:20:
Yeah, Holly.
The home page article about SR has listed the most practical book I know of.
Walt
In Reply to: Re: To Dr. Walt: I Will Check Other Archives posted by Walt Stoll [93.1889] on April 28, 2005 at 08:50:25:
I'll purchase it, study it, and incorporate it into my life!
Thank you for your assistance as I try to alleviate my little left foot arch tingles, occassional foot jerk, and a left hand that has the same type of symptoms. The magnesium (only the good types) is seeming to help a bit over the last three or four days -- but I cannot report that I am yet symptom free! I must be expecting too fast of a turn around? Any comments? In other words, is 900-1000 mg. of mag asparate and mag amino acid chelate daily too little? Or should I just be patient. I am beginning to wonder whether I have pinched nerves causing these symptoms.
And if pinch nerves are the root cause, must they been located in the spinal area, or could they be more localized pinch nerves causing the little tingles, vibrations -- all internal and not obvious to myself or an on-looker?
In Reply to: Dr. W: Will Buy SR Book plus Question re Expectations posted by Holly [3667.993] on April 28, 2005 at 10:02:20:
Thanks, Holly.
IF this were a pinched nerve, the symptoms would only be on one side.
You would have to take at least 1000 millligrams of elemental magnesium TWICE A DAY to hope to get many results this early. What you are taking probably has less than 500 milligrams of elemental magnesium in it and, so far as I can tell this is your DAILY dose. If you are willing to wait a few weeks this might help a lot more at this dose.
Walt
In Reply to: Dr. W: Will Buy SR Book plus Question re Expectations posted by Holly [3667.993] on April 28, 2005 at 10:02:20:
Hi Holly,
Keep doing what you're doing, but also see if some therapeutic massage helps your symptoms.
Best wishes,
Jan DeCourtney, CMT
In Reply to: Re: Dr. W: Will Buy SR Book plus Question re Expectations posted by Walt Stoll [93.1889] on April 29, 2005 at 08:22:27:
Dr. W: I agree that because I am taking a less sophisticated form, the actual elemental value is less than 1000 mg. Boy oh boy, I am amazed on how the symptoms -- which were not localized but traveled around my body a bit -- have subsided in only four days. I am patient, and will wait a few more weeks, because I am not thrilled about the thought of provoking loose stolls. Now that I see this mag issue was the underlieing cause of my problems, I am more inclined to be patient over a few weeks time. No longer do I believe my foot jerking, hand twitching, arch tingling are due to a pinch nerve. If the symptoms were caused by that issue, then I would not be resolving my symptoms with the use of a moderate amount of magnesium aspartate.
Thank you, sir, for your invaluable help this week. I am waiting for my Amazon vendor to ship the SR book that I purchased yesterday morning. I'm anxious to read it and involve its techniques into my life!
In Reply to: Dr. W: Thanks for Helping Me with Mag Dose posted by Holly [3667.993] on April 29, 2005 at 12:12:04:
Thanks, Holly.
But "loose stolls"? Really :o)!
Walt
In Reply to: Dr. W: Thanks for Helping Me with Mag Dose posted by Holly [3667.993] on April 29, 2005 at 12:12:04:
NMI
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