This paper reports the effect of 3 weeks of massage of a 35-year-old woman with restless legs syndrome (RLS). The treatment consisted of myofascial release, trigger point therapy, deep tissue, and sports massage techniques applied to the lower extremity, focusing on the piriformis and hamstring muscles.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
If nerve cells become damaged, the amount of dopamine in the brain is reduced, which causes muscle spasms and involuntary movements. Dopamine levels naturally fall towards the end of the day, which may explain why the symptoms of restless legs syndrome are often worse in the evening and during the night.
Sleeping on the side – add a pillow between the legs from the knees to the thighs for support. This will work to help to keep the nerves from compression to promote circulation and better sleep.
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.
Considering these dopaminergic effects of vitamin D, our findings support the hypothesis that decreased vitamin D levels may lead to RLS symptoms.
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.
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.
Compression socks rank high among restless leg syndrome treatments because of how simple they are. You wear them like you would your regular socks. The applied pressure serves to offset the discomfort caused by RLS.
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.
The use of warm water compresses can effectively reduce the symptoms of RLS and fatigue in CCNs.
Apply heat or cold before bed.
A soak in a hot bath before trying to sleep can help relieve the tingling, aching, or itching sensations this condition causes. Using warm compresses or heating pads to warm the legs can also help provide relief.