Burning, pain and crawling sensations may make you feel like you need to constantly be moving your legs at night. If this happens to you, you may have a condition known as Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS). Although prescriptions are available to RLS sufferers, you may find relief just by using natural treatment methods.
Relaxation Techniques
Most RLS sufferers have more problems at night when they are trying to sleep. The Mayo Clinic recommends that you stabilize your sleep environment by going to sleep at the same time each night in a cool, quiet and comfortable room. Also, trying nighttime relaxation techniques like taking a warm bath, meditating and getting a massage may help reduce RLS symptoms.
Exercise
A study at East Tennessee State University's James H. Quillen College of Medicine found that an exercise program that includes aerobic and lower body resistance training helps improve RLS symptoms. Try walking for 30 minutes each day and do lower body strength training three times per week to mirror the steps taken by the study.
Lifestyle Changes
The Mayo Clinic suggests that alcohol, caffeine and tobacco may cause or aggravate RLS symptoms. Try decreasing or avoiding your intake for a few weeks and see if there is any change in the amount and severity of your symptoms. Also, because RLS is potentially related to hypoglycemia, keep your diet low in sugar and high in protein, and you may notice that you experience fewer problems.
Chiropractic Care
Chiropractor Donald Free wrote an article in "The American Chiropractor" (Volume 30, Issue 8) connecting RLS to spinal misalignment and sciatic nerve compression. He mentioned a study that performed specific spinal manipulation, electrical micro-current therapy and combined them with proper corrective exercises. This treatment helped to reduce sciatic nerve pressure and relieve RLS symptoms for many patients. If you are interested in using this method, interview chiropractors in your area to see if you can find one that specializes in treating RLS symptoms.
Vitamin and Mineral Supplements
Early evidence suggests that RLS symptoms may be relieved by supplementing your diet with one of several vitamins or minerals, including folate, iron, magnesium and Vitamin E. Because most of this evidence has been collected by speculative studies, such a supplement may not help your RLS symptoms. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, however, did report that low iron levels (anemia) can induce RLS symptoms. Speak with your doctor to see if supplementing your diet with a healthy dose of iron has the potential to help you.
Tags: your diet, , lower body, Mayo Clinic, sciatic nerve