We all know someone who just can’t stop shaking their leg or tapping their foot. Perhaps that person is you? Usually, this urge to move the legs continuously is due to restless leg syndrome, a nervous system disorder that causes uncomfortable sensations in the leg or other parts of the body.
There is no cure for restless leg syndrome, rather a number of treatments designed to minimize symptoms. These typically include medications, lifestyle changes and at-home treatments like hot baths. However, these do not always work for everyone. While this condition is relatively common, most people don’t know there are alternative forms of treatment.
At Graybar Chiropractic, we strive to help patients with restless legs syndrome in Wilmington, NC with chiropractic care designed to relieve joint and muscle tension and provide exercise or stretching regimens to alleviate discomfort.
The cause of the shaking
Restless leg syndrome is described as a condition involving uncomfortable sensations in the feet or legs that drives people to move their legs to suppress the feelings. These sensations are often described as crawling, throbbing, aching or itching. The condition usually occurs most when the person is resting or asleep (hence the name), which may affect sleep quality at night.
The condition affects around 10% of the population and can be found in people of all ages and genders but occurs more often in females. The cause of restless leg syndrome has not been uncovered, but experts do believe there is a genetic link. Some other conditions, including chronic diseases, medications, iron deficiency and pregnancy can worsen the symptoms of restless leg syndrome.
There is no cure for the condition, but current treatments aim to ease symptoms in patients. These treatments may include:
- Lifestyle changes such as the elimination of alcohol, tobacco and caffeine;
- Narcotic or sedative medications;
- Leg massages;
- Hot baths.
Don’t overlook chiropractic treatments
A commonly-overlooked form of treatment for restless leg syndrome is chiropractic. Because the condition is linked to the body’s nervous system, chiropractic may actually be an extremely effective form of treatment, using alignments and exercises to restore proper nerve function to the legs. Many patients have experienced positive results through chiropractic treatment.
With alignments or manipulations of the spine, existing pressure or irritation put on the joints and muscles that is caused by malalignment can be relieved, which in turn may relieve the nervous symptoms of restless legs syndrome. Additionally, your chiropractor may recommend certain treatments to help you sleep more and more soundly at night, as well as provide heat therapy or massage treatments and stretches that are known to aid restless leg syndrome.
Stop the shaking
If you are interested in learning more about how chiropractic treatments can help you stop the urge to shake or move your restless legs, contact Graybar Chiropractic in Wilmington, NC. Our team uses Chiropractic BioPhysics (CBP), a comprehensive wellness approach to improve patient care and symptom reduction. Contact us today and see what we can do for your restless leg syndrome.
Chiropractic BioPhysics, or CBP, is one of the most scientific, researched, and results-oriented corrective care techniques. CBP-trained chiropractors aim to realign the spine back to health, eliminating nerve interference and addressing the source of pain, fatigue, and disease. As with all chiropractic care, CBP is gentle, painless, and non-invasive.
