If you have trouble sleeping at night because your legs hurt or feel like they are crawling, creeping, or prickling, you may have restless legs syndrome. It is thought that up to 15% of adults have this condition, and although it is not a sign of anything more serious, it is frustrating and can cause sleeping issues. In turn, this can cause mental health issues and physical issues from not getting enough sleep.

Symptoms usually start in the late afternoon or evening and get worse at night when people are resting, sitting, or sleeping. Because of the symptoms, it can be hard to fall asleep at first and hard to fall back to sleep later in the night. RLS is basically a sleep disorder, a movement disorder, and a neurological sensory disorder all rolled into one. 

Fortunately, there are things that you can do to ease the symptoms, and we shall look at a few of them here.

Get up and move about 

Most of the time, the symptoms of RLS will become more severe after an extended period of rest. So, taking a short walk or doing a few quick stretches can often help stop the symptoms of RLS quickly and effectively. However, you must make sure to move slowly and in small steps. It will be more difficult for you to relax if you engage in activity that raises your heart rate and gets your blood pumping right before bedtime.

Apply some heart 

The use of heat is an excellent method for relaxing your entire body. Try making use of a heating pad, getting into a hot shower, or getting into a warm bath. When you start to feel warm and peaceful, the symptoms should start to fade away or become more bearable, to the point where you can go to sleep again.

Put on some compression socks or a foot wrap.

Restless leg syndrome (RLS) symptoms are more likely to happen when you sit for a long time, which causes blood to pool in your legs. Therefore, putting pressure on the lower legs using something like a foot wrap or compression stockings from BLITZU can help improve blood flow. It may also help calm the nervous system, which may feel restless because of RLS.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture can be used to treat the regions of the brain and nervous system that may be the source of the symptoms that you are experiencing in your legs. You might try reclining on an accupressure mat or giving yourself accupressure massages at home to help you relax. Both of these alternatives are available. Most people agree that putting pressure on the bottoms of your feet is the best way to relieve the symptoms of RLS.

Elevate your legs.

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) can cause pain that might get worse at night if you sleep in the wrong way. If you prefer to sleep on your side rather than on your back, try placing a normal pillow in the space between your legs. If you prefer to sleep on your back, place a leg rest pillow under your legs (for lying on your back). These solutions help joints and muscles all over the body, including the legs, work well. They also improve blood flow.