Do you suffer from Restless Legs?  Here are some ideas that may help.

If you’re one of the estimated 10% that suffer from Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS), then you’ll know how unbearable it can be.
What is RSL? A neurological disorder that results in uncontrollable urges to move mainly your legs (can also be arms) or feeling weird sensations in your body. The sensations range; pain or an aching in muscles, an itch you can’t scratch or a feeling “it’s right in your bones”. Limbs can also jerk which can affect yours and your partners sleep.

It’s important you get checked out for any underlying medical issues, once all clear, here’s a few things I find helpful to ease restless legs before going to bed:

• Massaging my legs with a special blend of essential oils that cool and calm, sometimes top of feet also depending on what’s fidgeting!
• Stretching exercises that involve legs – around 5 minutes.
• I find this stretch works for me as a starter. Lie flat on your back on the floor, stretch both arms and legs as far as you can and hold for as long as you can. I call this one the torture rack but seriously, don’t let it get to the painful stage! Then alternate, stretching left leg and right arm at same time, then right leg, left arm holding each time. 
• Yoga pose – Viparita Karani. Start off for a few minutes and work your time up to 5 minutes or longer.

 
Yoga pose – Viparita Karani: (Inverted lake pose/legs up the wall)
Getting into it is not always graceful, but once there it is extremely relaxing, as well as beneficial to our health. Imagine how hard the heart must work to pump blood back up for the feet all day.
In Viparita Karani gravity’s pull is reversed and the heart gets to have a mini-break. 

Benefits:

• Incredibly restorative position and is wonderful to practice after a day on the feet
• Improves blood, lymph fluid and hormone circulation throughout the body
• Great in hot weather when lower legs can become very puffy
• Alleviates nervous exhaustion, boosts confidence, and reduces depression
• Can reduce severity of stress related headaches and migraines. Use a light cloth over the eyes while resting in the pose
• Is a chest opener; good for asthma, bronchitis, and throat ailments
• Relieves indigestion, diarrhoea and nausea
• Prevents varicose veins.

 
I also find this practice a great pre-bed routine and wind down from the day which can also help achieve a great night’s sleep. I often incorporate a breathing exercise at the same time. We’re all unique and what works for one, may not work for another however I have received numerous positive comments on this practice from RLS suffers.
 
If you have restless leg syndrome, please contact us today for a discussion about how we can help you.