2009/5/11

Home Remedies for Restless Legs

Restless Legs Syndrome is an obscure affliction in which an unpleasant creeping sensation is felt deep within the bone and muscle. 'It feels as if my whole leg is full of small worms/ is how one sufferer describes it, and another 'as if ants are running up and down my bones/ Movement of the legs provide the only solace and sufferers find it impossible to keep still. This torture is psychological as well as physical. The creeping sensation may persist for hours at a time, keeping the tormented victim up till four or five in the morning and this forced insomnia unsettles the mind, inducing hallucinations and depression,

Medical examinations reveal no abnormality; nor do other investigatory tests. No abnormalities of muscles or nerves have ever been identified. The cause is unknown, though it is presumed there must be some area deep in the brain from which the crawling sensation originates.
Those who suffer from restless legs will get little help from their doctors who are as mystified by the complaint as they are, and for which they have no certain cure to offer. Several contributors have, however, suggested a variety of remedies which could be tried.

Heat: Heat in the form of a hot bath last thing at night or a hot water bottle and bed socks can prevent restless legs. Blessed relief is sometimes reported during a viral illness such as flu which, by raising the temperature, provides solace for a few days.
Cold: Alternatively, some sufferers find relief by pouring icy water over their legs, lying horizontal on the ground and sticking their feet in the refrigerator or, weather permitting, walking barefoot in the snow.

Exercise: 'Lie on the floor and "cycle" in the air until the muscles ease up.' Anon.

Cramp: Fascinatingly, deliberately inducing an attack of cramp can bring relief, as described by Mr J. L Visser from Edinburgh.

'Having been driven up the wall (literally) with restless legs and tried everything, eventually out of desperation, I pulled my calf muscles so tight that very quickly I got cramp in the leg. Letting go, I immediately noticed the infernal irritation had just about disappeared. Now when I feel the restless legs are about to start up again, I induce a cramp, let go immediately and have no more trouble. Sometimes I have to repeat the process a few times but no more.'

There may be a further connection between restless legs and cramps because Mr U. G. Huggins from East Sussex reports that after being advised to drink 'lots of tonic water at night' as a home remedy for night cramps, 'I am glad to say that after two months the problem was almost completely solved'.

Water: Emeritus surgeon Mr T. P. N. Jenkins from Surrey reports he has been 'plagued by restless legs from my late teens into my eighties. It was a great event in my life when I discovered a simple solution — a drink of water. As the discomfort of restless legs impinges on sleep, a point is reached when it is well worthwhile to get out of bed and drink. In a few minutes, the symptoms ease off and a deep sleep returns'.

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