Chiropractic Care for Restless Leg Syndrome
By Sara Butler
If you have restless leg syndrome, you’ve probably spent many a night wide awake and struggling. Even if you don’t have it but share a bed with someone who does, you’re probably missing out on sleep too! But what causes restless leg syndrome (RLS) and what can be done about it? Well, the good news is that if you suffer from this annoying disorder, your chiropractor can help.
Restless Leg Syndrome Explained
RLS is a condition of the central nervous system. If you are affected by this syndrome, then you feel strong sensations when your legs are at rest that requires you to feel as if you need to move them. This has a detrimental impact on your ability to fall asleep and can lead to insomnia, which is why RLS is often categorized as a sleep issue.
Recent research points to this disorder as a condition that is related to the peripheral nervous system. That means that it is the nerves that extend from the lower back into the legs that cause the issue.
Symptoms of RLS
RLS can impact one leg or both, and the severity of symptoms tends to increase with age. Symptoms include feelings in the legs of:
- Crawling
- Creeping
- Aching
- Pulling
- Tingling
RLS normally gets worse when a person is lying down in bed or sitting for a long period of time. These symptoms, when felt, make a person feel compelled to move their legs in order to resolve them.
Who Gets Restless Leg Syndrome?
It is estimated that 12 million people suffer from this syndrome in the United States today. RLS impacts women more than it does men, though it can affect anyone. It mostly occurs in middle-aged adults
A Chiropractic Approach
So, how can a chiropractor help? Well, your chiropractor just so happens to be an expert on the nervous system, and since this is a disorder rooted in the nervous system, your chiropractor is the perfect person to turn to! You may have a nerve irritation, joint dysfunction, or joint restriction that is impacting the nerves in your back and causing the issue in your legs. Even if you’re not experiencing back pain, that doesn’t mean something isn’t going on beneath the surface in your back that might contribute to your RLS symptoms.
If you are struggling with RLS, then head into The Joint Chiropractic today for an assessment!
To learn more about your health and wellness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic.