Clicks and Pops and RLS, Oh My!

Correlation is not causation, but my restless legs syndrome (RLS) is going to be bad if my body is extra "clicky."

However, clicking or popping all my air bubbles by gentle movement and stretching does seem to help me gain full mobility and helps reduce symptoms from RLS. It might be in my head, but I do feel better after a good click or pop.

Clicking and popping during warm ups

Whenever I go to pilates class, I click and pop so loudly during the warm-up that teachers have made comments. I often click and pop in my hips, almost always in the inner socket. A big hip pop is usually a good sign – it means I'm warming up and ready to move a bit.

Taking care of my knees

My knees usually click and pop when I stand up, especially if I've been on the floor with kids, but also when I do squats. When I walk in my hilly neighborhood, I wear knee supports because I have some hyper flexibility in my knees and have often tweaked them to the point where they hurt.

Whenever I overdo it with my knees, my sleep suffers and my RLS wakes up. Supporting my knees when I exercise or lift objects and children is key to keeping my RLS under control.

Clicks in my ankles, toes, and feet

My ankles pop in the same way as my hips, to warm up for activity after sitting for a while or sleeping. My toes and sometimes unknown parts of my feet pop and click into place. This happens when I do calf raises or stretches, something that helps a lot with my RLS.

The really good pops ease my restless legs

The really good pops, the ones that I'd definitely call pops and not clicks, are around my lumbar spine. If I can "twist pop" by lying on my back and sending my knees one way while my opposite arm sweeps up and out by my ear, I'm so happy.

The little loosening of the tight sections always feels good, pop or not, but the release of air from a good chiropractic pop gives me more range of motion and makes my restless legs feel like they can take a hike...or a break.

My clicks and pops bring relief

I've been told by a physical therapist, as well as my stretch therapist and a chiropractor, that clicks and pops are nothing to worry about unless they hurt. Mine almost always come with a sense of relief. It's either a psychological satisfaction of getting a good noise out of my joints or a literal physical relief to have my body stretch and warm up to the point where it's moving smoothly and soundlessly.

As impressive as my pops and clicks are, walking around sounding like a haunted doll isn't something I aspire to. I actively try to warm up my body at the beginning of the day so I can ditch the Tin Man vibes and ease through my day.