Massage is frequently recommended as a way of getting relief from RLS. Other recommendations include regular exercise, hot or cold baths, weight loss and quitting smoking. But massage has additional benefits. First is improved circulation.
Restless legs syndrome (RLS), known as a kind of neurological disease, is prevalent but easy to be ignored. Studies have demonstrated that massage therapy can effectively reduce the symptoms of patients with RLS and improve their quality of life.
Zusanli (ST36): The Leg Yang Ming Stomach Meridian—the point is located four finger widths (3 inches) down from the bottom of the lateral side of the leg below the knee and 2.5 inches lateral to the tibia (the anterior tibialis muscle).
massaging your legs. taking a hot bath in the evening. applying a hot compress to your leg muscles. doing activities that distract your mind, such as reading or watching television.
have iron deficiency anaemia – low levels of iron in the blood can lead to a fall in dopamine, triggering restless legs syndrome.
Stretches for RLS
Slightly bend your right knee and step your left leg back a foot or two, positioning its heel and foot flat on the floor. Hold for 20 to 30 seconds. Now bend your left knee while still keeping its heel and foot flat on the floor. For a deeper stretch, move your foot back a bit farther.
Many find rubbing Vicks VapoRub to be useful for RLS. Light rubbing with eucalyptus oil may also be effective. Tonic water with quinine, too, seems to help some.
Anxiety can cause agitation and leg restlessness that resemble RLS. Depression and RLS symptoms also overlap. Certain types of antidepressant drugs, such as serotonin reuptake inhibitors, can increase periodic limb movements during sleep.
Restless Leg Syndrome Relief through Massage Therapy
That's because lying or sitting still exacerbates the twitchy, painful sensations in your calf, thigh or ankle. Walking around, doing deep knee bends or rubbing your legs & shins can help, but that makes it difficult to get a good night's sleep.
Although there's no cure for restless legs syndrome, medications and lifestyle changes can help minimize symptoms and increase restful sleep. Cutting back on caffeine, alcohol and tobacco may help. Taking a hot bath, massaging the legs or using a heating pad or ice pack can also relieve symptoms.
Magnesium supplementation is often suggested for restless legs syndrome (RLS) or period limb movement disorder (PLMD) based on anecdotal evidence that it relieves symptoms and because it is also commonly recommended for leg cramps.
Conclusion: Our findings suggested that both vibration and massage reduce the mean of severity of RLS and improve sleep quality in hemodialysis patients, with vibration exerting a greater effect compared to massage.
Elevation - Some people find relief by elevating their legs and allowing gravity to pull blood back toward the heart.
Therefore, moderate exercise can be helpful (2). Exercises like walking, massaging, stretching, swimming, and stationary cycle can help relieve symptoms (12). The effects of exercise on RLS symptoms are unknown.
Seated calf stretch: Try this exercise in bed to help relieve RLS cramping and discomfort that can keep you awake. Sitting in bed, straighten your right leg and flex your right foot toward you, clasping your hands around your toes. Pull your toes toward you and hold for 20-30 seconds. Repeat with the opposite leg.
If you have RLS, you should also see a doctor if you are: Losing sleep often. Feeling depressed or anxious. Having trouble concentrating.
Studies suggest that vitamins C, D, and E may help people experiencing restless legs syndrome (RLS). People with RLS experience unpleasant sensations in the legs with the irresistible urge to move them.
Gabapentinoids — Pregabalin, gabapentin, and gabapentin enacarbil are all appropriate first-line therapies for chronic persistent RLS in many patients [7,49,50].
These sensations can last for an hour or longer, slowly increasing in severity. While the sensations are most often bilateral, some patients experience them only on one side of the body. The most common time for RLS to occur is at night when the person lies down to sleep.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cleared the NTX100 Tonic Motor Activation (TOMAC) System for the treatment of medication-refractory moderate to severe restless legs syndrome (RLS) to improve sleep quality.
Fast facts on restless legs syndrome:
The condition is often caused by a combination of mental and physical factors. Women are more likely to be affected with RLS during pregnancy.