6 Ways to Naturally Treat Restless Leg Syndrome

Let’s describe a scenario.

You’re tired after a long day at work and are settling into bed. Just as you’re about to drift off, however, you are hit by a sudden discomfort in your leg.

This feeling lasts anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes and has completely thrown off your sleep schedule.

So what can you do about it?

Restless leg syndrome is a common occurrence for many individuals, and there are plenty of solutions to get your sleep back on track.

To Start: What Is Restless Leg Syndrome?

Restless leg syndrome, or RLS, is a specific nighttime ailment that causes discomfort or pains in the leg. While it is most common during sleep, it can also occur while the afflicted is sitting or laying down, though it usually takes place at night.

The symptoms of RLS can include tingling, crawling, or creeping feelings in one or both legs, and are mild for most people.

However, more severe symptoms can have a drastic effect on a person’s life. It can interrupt and cause harm to the individual’s sleep schedule, which leads to issues in your waking life.

While there is no known cause of restless leg syndrome, many believe that stress, pregnancy hormones, and nerve damage may lead to RLS.

Ayurvedic Massages to Help Relieve Stress

There are several forms of ayurvedic treatments that are designed to be a holistic and natural form of stress relief to aid many illnesses.

1. Abhyanga

Using warm oils, this treatment is meant to relax the muscles and prevent stress during the day, which helps relieve tensions at night and prevent RLS.

This particular massage also aids in circulation, allowing your blood to flow better at night and potentially help with RLS pains and discomfort.

2. Shirodhara

Shirodhara is another holistic remedy involving pouring warm, medicated milk on a patient’s forehead.

Used to treat a variety of disorders, this relaxing treatment also helps with blood circulation and provides a sense of calm for the patient.

Overall, Shirodhara is a safe and easy method for relieving stress and improving your quality of sleep.

3. Panchakarma

This treatment is a combination of five different procedures, including  Vamana (Emesis), Virechana (Purgation), Niroohavasti (Decoction enema), Nasya (instillation of medicine through nostrils), and Anuvasanavasti (Oil enema).

This is an all-natural detox routine to cleanse the mind and body. Each step is perfectly designed to rid the patient of chemical imbalances and negativity within the body.

1. Vamana

This beginning step is done in the early morning to expel any toxins in your stomach. Once you’ve woken with an empty stomach, a certain herbal solution should be ingested, which will trigger vomiting to dispel said toxins.

2. Virechana

This second step involves taking a natural laxative, which will cleanse the intestines and bowels of any harmful chemicals.

3. Niroohavasti

This step will involve one of three treatment options, each involving using a medicated enema. Not only will these provide a further cleanse of the lower bowels/vagina, but it will also help to prevent disease.

4. Nasya

This treatment will provide cleansing to the nostrils by using a medicated mixture to drain the nasal cavity, including both an oil and powder form. This provides relief from headaches and other nasal afflictions.

5. Anuvasanavasti

One final oil enema will be used as a cleanse to complete the procedure and completely drain toxins from your body.

By following these steps and getting rid of the negative energies within you, you will find yourself relieved from stress and pain.

4. Rasayana

This final procedure involves using medications to improve your mind and body. These provide stress relief and relaxation to their user and promote healthy sleep to relieve the effects of restless leg syndrome.

5. Herbs

Various herbs can be used as a potential treatment for RLS. These include:

• Aswagandha: a root found in both India and parts of Africa that provides stress relief
• Kapikachu: a legume that acts as an aphrodisiac and promotes sexual vitality
• Guggul: a gum resin used to aid with arthritis and other bone diseases
• and Thriphala: a combination of medicinal herbs designed to treat a variety of illnesses depending on the herbs used

By using any of the above herbs, you can relieve pain and discomfort before bed to rid yourself of RLS.

6. Diet and Lifestyle Changes for Restless Legs

Aside from holistic medicines and treatments, there are also simple lifestyle changes and techniques you can make to potentially repair lessen the symptoms of your RLS. Whether dietary or fixing your sleep schedule, here are just a couple of tricks you can use at home.

Good Diet, Better Sleep!

If you drink a lot of caffeine or consume sugar before bed, this may be the cause of your RLS symptoms. Cutting out these two items at night should significantly improve your restless legs.

Tobacco use can also worsen your RLS; cutting cigarettes and chewing tobacco from your nightly routine will help you sleep through the night.

Medications

Certain types of medicine may cause or worsen RLS symptoms. If you believe you are taking a medication that may be causing your nighttime struggles, it’s advised to talk with your doctor and change medications.

Reduce Stress Before Bed

Because stress is thought to be a cause of RLS, it’s recommended that you try to de-stress before attempting to sleep. Doing activities that you know will help to calm you down before sleep will likely alleviate symptoms of RLS.

Have a Regular Bedtime Routine

If you aren’t going to bed at the same time each night or aren’t performing certain rituals to help you get in the mood for sleep, your RLS could be telling you you aren’t ready to sleep yet. By adjusting your sleeping schedule and getting into a regular pattern, you may be able to lessen your symptoms.

No More Restless Nights

With these simple relaxation tips, you should be able to get a better night’s sleep and avoid symptoms from your restless legs.

What did you learn? Is there anything we didn’t cover?

We’d love to hear your thoughts!

Leave a comment below with your experiences with RLS and how you coped with them.

• October 5, 2020
• 0 Comments
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