Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS), or Willis-Ekbom disease (WED), is a common and treatable neurologic disorder characterized by an overwhelming urge to move the legs or other parts of the body. This is often accompanied by unusual or unpleasant sensations such as creeping, throbbing or pulling. The most distinctive aspect of RLS is that symptoms most often occur when lying down or trying to relax, leading to severe disruption of sleep and reduced quality of life.
According to the National Insititute of Neurological Disorders, as many as 10 percent of people in the US suffer from RLS, in varying degrees. RLS occurs in men, women and children, although women seem to experience it about twice as often as men. Characterized as a movement disorder, more than 80 percent of RLS sufferers also experience a more common condition known as Periodic Limb Movement of Sleep, which causes involuntary leg twitches or jerks during sleep. Although many people who have RLS experience periodic limb movement of sleep, most who have periodic limb movement of sleep do not suffer from RLS.
While there is no specific test for RLS, there are four basic criteria for diagnosing the disorder including:
• Symptoms that are worse at night and are absent or negligible in the morning;
• A strong and often overwhelming need or urge to move the affected limb(s), often associated with paresthesias or dysesthesias;
• Sensory symptoms that are triggered by rest, relaxation, or sleep; and
• Sensory symptoms that are relieved with movement and the relief persists as long as the movement continues.
There are many treatment options available for people who suffer from RLS and your doctor can help guide you through ways to lessen symptoms including diet and lifestyle changes, self-care and stress-relieving activities. As with any medical condition, there are medications available, and that are prescribed readily. However, there are also alternatives to drug treatments and RLS responds very well to natural and drug-free, invasive-free treatments.
Chiropractic care, and more specifically, chiropractic neurology focuses on realigning the brain and nervous system’s ability to communicate with the rest of the body. When disruptions in this communication system occur, it is imperative to retrain the brain to restore the proper communication. In the case of RLS, chiropractic neurology relieves the block between the brain and nervous system, strengthening the spine and pelvis and alleviating the stress and discomfort associated with RLS. Chiropractic neurology is safe, fast acting and effective, all without the side effects of drug therapies.
To learn more about how this treatment plan can help you please call us today at the Georgia Chiropractic Neurology Center: 770-664-4288.