26 Jun Help for Restless Leg Syndrome
Do you experience discomfort in your limbs such as tingling, burning, cramping or itching? Or perhaps just an overall feeling of restlessness? This could be a sign of Restless Leg Syndrome (or RLS), and those who have it find it to be quite the nuisance! This condition can strike at anytime, but usually occurs when a person is relaxing, seated or even sleeping. At Mile High Spine & Pain Center, we have effective treatment options for you such as electrostimulation, nutritional assessments and supplements, neuropathy treatments and more to help you combat your restless legs. For a more restful life, contact us today to learn more about what these therapies can do for you!
Symptoms of Restless Leg Syndrome
Restless Leg Syndrome is sometimes experienced during pregnancy in people who otherwise have never dealt with it before. However, it can also manifest due to anemia and iron deficiency, medications that affect the nerves (especially allergy medicines and antidepressants), alcohol consumption and genetics. It can be caused by more chronic problems such as peripheral neuropathy (nerve inflammation or compression), kidney disease, damage or failure, and chronic diseases such as Parkinson’s Disease and diabetes. However, many people will experience RLS at some point and time in their lives. It doesn’t necessarily mean you have a chronic problem. In those with RLS, one or more of the following will usually occur:
- Feeling like you need to move or feeling tension in your body.
- Insect-like crawling sensations, generally in the legs.
- Discomfort in the limbs such as burning, cramping, tingling or itching.
- The inability to sit, lie down, stand still, etc. for more than 30 minutes at a time.
- Feeling relief from your symptoms by flexing the muscles, walking around/pacing a room and swinging your limbs.
- Feeling relief with movement in general.
The Facts
- About 1 in 10 adults suffer from Restless Leg Syndrome according to the National Sleep Foundation.
- Women have a slightly higher risk of having it than men do.
- This syndrome doesn’t just affect adults as even children have been known to have it. It generally manifests among middle-aged adults.
- RLS affects an estimated 1.5 million children and adolescents in the U.S. alone.
- Medicines can trigger the development of this condition.
- Up to 25% of expectant mothers experience frequent restless leg symptoms.
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is common in children and adults who also have RLS. In many cases, RLS stems as a result of other conditions or diseases.
- Patients with this condition will have an increased risk for sleep deprivation, as symptoms usually occur when resting.
- It has been found to be genetic, so if Restless Leg Syndrome runs in your family, you are at an increased risk to develop it.
- Symptoms don’t just occur in the legs (despite the name). They can also occur in the arms, hands and even the face.
- Alcohol consumption as well as caffeine-containing products (chocolate, energy drinks, coffee, tea, etc.) can increase RLS symptoms and their frequency.
The Treatments
We have treatments that are designed to help relieve your symptoms of Restless Leg Syndrome. If a vitamin deficiency is found to be the cause, we will advise you on what nutrients you should be taking to curb your symptoms and stay healthy. Sometimes simply supplementing your diet with iron, vitamin B or folate can eliminate your symptoms.
When nutritional assessments and supplementations don’t quite fix the problems we also provide other methods of relief. In studies, moderate exercise several times a week has been found to help patients in about 50% of cases. Extreme or strenuous exercises can worsen your symptoms. We have also seen patient relief through:
- Massage Therapy – To relieve muscle tension caused by stress and fatigue.
- Electrostimulation – Helps calm overactive nerves and improves circulation.
- Stretches/Exercising – Stretching and moderate exercises we can provide you will help decrease muscle twitching, cramping, and sensitivity at night. We can cater your regimen to your needs and ability.
- Chiropractic Adjustment – Misalignment (especially of the spine/back) can compress nerves and cause your symptoms. Restoring alignment and proper function and movement to the body can eliminate those symptoms.
- Peripheral Neuropathy Treatment – If the problem stems from nerve compression or irritation, we have many therapies to resolve the irritation and release the nerve so that you feel relief.
The last thing you want when you’re recovering from the day is an inability to rest. We want to help ensure that you are feeling better and able to rest your body properly, as adequate rest each day can reduce your risk for many chronic diseases and illnesses. Our treatments make a world of a difference to the patients that use them and your treatment can be customized according to your preferences. Call our Mile High Spine & Pain Center at (720) 507-0080 and start feeling more rested today!