Question
Hi
this is not exactly a 'chronic pain' question, but you seemed to be the expert most suitable for my question. Lately I have noticed that I frequently get muscle cramps in my legs and feet/toes. I also sometimes wake up in the morning with a feeling of pins and needles in the little finger on my right hand. My mother claims this is just a pinched nerve from sleeping on the hand - she could be right as I do sleep on that hand quite a bit. It comes and goes - it's not consistent. I'm more bothered by the cramping. I also seem to bruise very easily. I am a 34 y/o woman with one child. I am wondering if I'm not a bit run down or vitamin deficient - I am run off my feet all the time (I'm a single parent) and pretty much constantly tired. I also take anti-depressants (Lovan) and Valium to regulate my anxiety disorder (which this letter is probably a symptom of!)
Anyway, if you have any ideas or suggestions, I would really appreciate it.  

Answer
Cathleen,

Sometimes, people bruise easily because the muscles are so tight that they put strain on the neighboring tissue, while acidifying the blood in the same region.

Cramping is a sign that you have certain reflexes that interfere with your muscular control.  Pins and needles may just be a circulation problem; tight muscles also interfere with circulation, or it may be a nerve pinch, also commonly caused by tight muscles.

Please see the article, "Pain Relief Through Movement Education" at somatics.com/page4.htm.

with regard,
Lawrence Gold