What helps with Restless Leg Syndrome?

Restless Legs Syndrome, also known as “restless legs,” or Willis-Ekbom disease (WED), is a common nervous system disorder that causes those affected to have an urge to move their legs. The discomfort typically begins in the evening or during rest and can only be relieved by movement or activity. Especially at night, this can lead to significant sleep disturbances.

Symptoms of Restless Legs Syndrome

The main symptom of Restless Legs Syndrome is a recurring urge to move the legs, which can be accompanied by pain, pulling, or stabbing sensations.

An unpleasant tingling or crawling sensation can also occur in the feet, calves, and thighs. The feeling is often worse in the evening or at night. Symptoms can range from mild to severe. In severe cases, Restless Legs Syndrome can be very distressing and affect the daily activities of the person affected.

What causes Restless Legs Syndrome?

In most cases, there is no obvious cause. This is called idiopathic or primary Restless Legs Syndrome. Neurologists believe the symptoms may have something to do with how the body handles the neurotransmitter dopamine. Dopamine is involved in controlling muscle movements and may be responsible for the involuntary leg movements associated with Restless Legs Syndrome. In some cases, Restless Legs Syndrome is caused by an underlying condition, such as iron deficiency anemia or kidney failure. This is called secondary Restless Legs Syndrome.

Insomnia with Restless Legs

Currently, there is no sure cure for Restless Legs Syndrome; instead, treatment focuses more on relieving the symptoms.

Many people suffering from Restless Legs report persistent insomnia. Since the symptoms usually occur most strongly at night or during rest periods, this condition often prevents those affected from falling asleep quickly. The painful and persistent tingling and itching sensations that accompany Restless Legs Syndrome often occur during sleep and frequently cause disturbances in the sleep-wake cycle.

Persistent sleep deprivation can have further serious consequences for physical health, such as obesity, impaired judgment, high blood pressure, and increased risk of cardiovascular diseases.

What to do for restless legs?

Some natural ways to treat restless leg syndrome include massages, iron supplements, and relaxation techniques before bedtime.

Using relaxation techniques before going to bed can help make falling asleep easier. Daily yoga exercises can also reduce discomfort and improve symptoms.

Try applying breathing techniques along with tensing and relaxing the leg muscles. For this, tense the leg muscles while inhaling and exhale while relaxing the muscles.

How do weighted blankets help with restless leg syndrome?

Using a weighted blanket at night can enhance the benefits of the techniques already mentioned and promote a more restful night's sleep. The benefits of a weighted blanket for people suffering from RLS are twofold: the heavy blanket can soothe the muscles and nerves in the leg, as well as reduce persistent stress and inner restlessness.

Weighted blankets not only help reduce symptoms at night, but they also promote healthy sleep.

Weighted blankets apply firm but gentle pressure on the body to relax muscles, increase blood circulation, and even boost the production of serotonin and melatonin.

Furthermore, weighted blankets provide input for the tactile-sensory system, which relies on touch. The tactile sensory system receives and processes messages taken in through the sense of touch. Since restless leg syndrome is a neurologically based disorder, this has positive effects on the symptoms of the condition.

As already mentioned regarding possible causes, dopamine could be one of the factors to consider. Weighted blankets can stimulate the production of the "happy hormones" serotonin and dopamine through tactile input. These neurotransmitters promote a feeling of calm and general well-being. At the same time, physical symptoms are reduced.

Purchasing a weighted blanket cannot promise relief to ill persons. However, the therapy blanket can address symptoms and reduce them. Therefore, weighted blankets are certainly a natural alternative to sleeping pills to achieve a restful night's sleep.