Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS), also medically known as Willis-Ekbom disease, is a neurological disorder that creates an compulsion to move one’s legs, usually due to uncomfortable creeping, crawling, or tingling sensations. Symptoms typically worsen when resting, sitting for extended periods, and particularly at night when attempting to sleep. Episodes are temporarily relieved by movement, which can lead to difficulty falling and staying asleep. The latter reverberates into the daytime, resulting in fatigue, poor cognitive function, compromised productivity, and reduced quality of life when allowed to persist to the point that it becomes a chronic problem. As someone who has had enough, you intend to not let RLS persist any longer and have come online in search of a physiotherapist for restless leg syndrome near you. Physiotherapy treatments are available to correct the issue, today. If located anywhere in the Greater Vancouver BC area you can book an appointment at our Burnaby clinic for an assessment and to begin treatment, or read ahead beforehand for further insight.
Why You Have Restless Leg Syndrome and Why Our Physiotherapy Clinic is Where to Come for Help
Common Causes of Restless Leg Syndrome
Removing underlying medical conditions (i.e. kidney disease), medications (i.e. opioids), and nutritional problems (i.e. iron deficiency) which need to be addressed by a physician, the following musculoskeletal and brain-related issues may have caused or contributed to you exhibiting RLS:
- Nerve damage: Neuropathy, or damage to nerves in the limbs, can cause symptoms that mimic RLS.
- Dopamine imbalance: Low levels of your brain’s “feel good” chemical, dopamine, which is involved in controlling leg movement, may be a factor in RLS or can cause symptoms that mimic RLS.
- Anxiety and stress: High levels of stress and cortisol (stress hormone) can trigger symptoms of RLS.
- Poor sleeping position: Poor sleep habits can be related or contribute to RLS.
How Our Clinic Will Help
Beginning with a look at the musculoskeletal cause of RLS, your physiotherapist will address nerve damage by focusing on improving function and reducing symptoms through a combination of exercises and other techniques. Key components include strength training to combat weakness, balance exercises, and flexibility training to maintain joint movement. When correcting nerve damage in the legs, you will see symptoms related to RLS dissipate over time. Physiotherapy can also help manage RLS symptoms through relaxation exercises, and movement pattern re-education. A physiotherapist can also use techniques like neuro-gliding, also known as nerve-flossing, which involves a series of gentle, slow movements to mobilize nerves. Your physiotherapist can show you how to do neuro-gliding at home. Moreover, a physiotherapist can provide hands-on therapies such as massage or myofascial release to improve RLS related circulation issues and reduce muscle tension. In addition, your physiotherapist is also qualified to advise on optimal sleeping positions.
In regard to dopamine release and subsequent cortisol reduction, physiotherapy promotes the former by engaging the body in physical activity, such as aerobic exercise, strength training, and stretching. These movements trigger the brain to release dopamine, which is associated with improvements in symptoms of RLS.
Put RLS to rest with physiotherapy. Email, call, or click here to make an appointment at our Burnaby BC clinic.
Alleviate Restless Leg Syndrome Through Physiotherapy
(Burnaby and Vancouver residents)