Treatment of Restless Leg Syndrome:

The Response of Modern Medicine
The modern medical treatment approach to restless leg syndrome involves minimizing stress and promoting muscle relaxation to help reduce uncomfortable episodes since there appears to be no known cure for the condition. This would include options such as warm baths, gentle stretching exercises and massage, as well as prescription drugs to relax nerves and muscles. If sleep is severely affected by the condition, medications such as Sinemet, an anti-Parkinson's medication, or tranquilizers such as clonazepam may be prescribed. However, these two medications may in fact worsen daytime sleepiness in some individuals. Low doses of Pramipexole, a dopamine agonist, as well as low doses of narcotics may also be tried to control symptoms. Although many of these approaches may temporarily relieve the symptoms of restless leg syndrome, they do not treat the root cause. In addition, long-term use of some of the medications may have undesirable side effects and create other symptoms and/or problems.

The Natural Medicine Approach to Restless Leg Syndrome
A better approach is to determine and treat the underlying cause of the condition. Almost all individuals with restless leg syndrome are low in the minerals potassium and magnesium. Tests would be done to establish the levels of these two, and if they are low, supplements are prescribed. Tight leg muscles also appear to be common among restless leg syndrome patients. If this is determined to be the case, a stretching program is recommended. In case improper circulation plays a role, a platelet aggregation test is done to determine the thickness of the blood. Thick blood contributes to poor circulation. If the platelet aggregation test is positive for thick blood, a supplement like VSCLR is ordered. And finally, patients are urged to wear toe stretchers at night to stretch the toes, foot and calf.

If you are interested in more information about our natural medicine program, or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Hauser, please contact Caring Medical at 708-848-7789 or online using our contact form.