Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) is a condition that makes it hard to stay still, rest, or sleep peacefully. People who experience it describe a deep, uncomfortable sensation in the legs that can only be relieved by movement. This constant urge to move can be both physically and mentally exhausting.

At Proactive Health in Richmond, our team of Registered Massage Therapists (RMTs) provides customized massage therapy treatments to help ease muscle tension, improve circulation, and reduce the sensations that trigger RLS.

What is Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS)?

Restless Leg Syndrome, also known as Willis Ekbom Disease, is a neurological and sensory disorder that affects how the brain and nerves communicate with the muscles in your legs. The sensations often begin during periods of inactivity, such as sitting at a desk, watching TV, or trying to sleep.

Though symptoms most often occur in the legs, they can occasionally affect the arms as well. RLS can range from mild to severe and often worsens at night, disrupting sleep and daily life.

Symptoms of Restless Leg Syndrome

RLS symptoms can vary from person to person, but they often share common patterns related to timing, movement, and sensation. Understanding these symptoms can help you identify whether you may be experiencing RLS and seek proper care.

Common Sensations and Physical Symptoms

• A deep urge to move the legs, often impossible to ignore

• Tingling, creeping, or crawling feelings inside the legs, rather than on the skin

• Descriptions of sensations such as pulling, throbbing, burning, or itching

• Temporary relief after moving, stretching, or massaging the legs

• Leg jerking or twitching during sleep (a condition known as periodic limb movement disorder)

Timing and Pattern of Symptoms

Restless Leg Syndrome symptoms often become more noticeable during periods of rest or inactivity. Many people experience discomfort while sitting for long periods, such as working at a desk, watching television, or travelling. The sensations usually intensify in the evening or at night, which is why RLS is closely linked with sleep disturbance and insomnia.

Movement often brings temporary relief, whether it’s walking, stretching, or massaging the legs, but the symptoms typically return once you stop moving. Over time, the restlessness can extend beyond the legs to other areas, such as the arms, making relaxation and sleep even more difficult. This recurring pattern of discomfort and temporary relief is a hallmark of RLS and one of the main reasons it can significantly impact nighttime rest and recovery.

Impact on Daily Life

The impact of Restless Leg Syndrome extends beyond nighttime discomfort. Because RLS disrupts normal sleep patterns, it often leads to daytime fatigue, low energy, and reduced concentration. Many individuals also experience anxiety or frustration from the constant need to move or the inability to find a comfortable position for rest.

Over time, the combination of sleep deprivation, muscle tension, and mental exhaustion can take a toll on overall well-being. Daily tasks may feel more difficult, focus and motivation can decline, and mood changes such as irritability or restlessness may become more common. When untreated, RLS can significantly affect quality of life, impacting work, relationships, and overall health. Fortunately, treatments like massage therapy can help manage symptoms and restore calm to both body and mind.

Recognizing these patterns early can make a big difference in treatment outcomes. While there is no single “cure,” massage therapy and lifestyle management can significantly reduce discomfort and improve sleep quality.

Causes of Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS)

The causes of Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) are complex and can involve both neurological and physical factors. In many cases, RLS has genetic roots, meaning it often runs in families. People who develop symptoms before the age of 40 are more likely to have a family history of the condition. This hereditary pattern suggests that how the brain manages muscle movement and nerve communication plays a major role in its development.

A common underlying factor is a nerve signalling imbalance, especially involving dopamine, a neurotransmitter that helps regulate muscle control. When dopamine activity is disrupted, nerve signals can misfire, causing the involuntary sensations and restlessness that characterize RLS. This neurological component helps explain why RLS is both a movement and sensory disorder.

Beyond genetics and dopamine function, there are several secondary causes and contributing factors that can trigger or worsen symptoms:

• Poor circulation or venous insufficiency: Limited blood flow in the legs can lead to tingling, heaviness, or discomfort that worsens when sitting or lying still.

• Iron deficiency or anemia: Low iron levels affect dopamine production and can heighten RLS sensations.

• Chronic health conditions: Diabetes, kidney disease, thyroid disorders, and neuropathy are commonly associated with higher RLS risk.

• Pregnancy: Hormonal and circulatory changes, particularly in the third trimester, can temporarily trigger RLS symptoms.

• Medications: Certain drugs — such as antihistamines, antidepressants, and antipsychotics — can aggravate or intensify symptoms.

• Lifestyle factors: Caffeine, alcohol, smoking, and high stress levels may increase nerve sensitivity and disturb sleep cycles.

• Sleep deprivation: A lack of rest can heighten nerve excitability and make RLS symptoms feel more severe, creating a frustrating cycle of fatigue and discomfort.

Because Restless Leg Syndrome has both muscular and neurological components, it often responds best to a multidisciplinary approach. Combining massage therapy, physiotherapy, nutritional support, and medical guidance helps improve circulation, reduce muscular tension, and restore balance to the nervous system for lasting relief.

The exact cause of RLS is complex and often involves a combination of neurological, circulatory, and metabolic factors. It can be primary (genetic or idiopathic) or secondary (linked to another condition or trigger).

Because RLS often has both muscular and neurological roots, a multidisciplinary approach, including massage therapy, physiotherapy, and medical support, is often the most effective treatment.

Massage Therapy for Restless Leg Syndrome

Massage therapy is a natural and effective way to manage RLS symptoms and improve relaxation. It works by improving circulation, reducing muscle tightness, and calming the nervous system — three of the most important factors that influence RLS severity.

At Proactive Health, our Registered Massage Therapists (RMTs) focus on areas such as the legs, hips, and lower back, where nerve pathways controlling the legs originate.

Benefits of Massage for Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS)

• Improves Blood Flow: Massage stimulates healthy circulation, helping relieve that “crawling” or “tingling” feeling.

• Reduces Muscle Tension: Deep tissue and myofascial release target tight muscles that can compress nerves.

• Calms the Nervous System: Gentle rhythmic strokes promote relaxation and reduce stress signals that trigger restlessness.

• Enhances Sleep Quality: Regular RMT sessions help the body relax and make it easier to fall and stay asleep.

Your RMT will adjust pressure and technique based on your comfort, using a blend of deep tissue work, relaxation massage, and circulatory techniques tailored to your symptoms.

Other Treatment Options for Restless Leg Syndrome

Although massage therapy can significantly reduce RLS symptoms, a well-rounded care plan often provides the best results. Complementary treatments may include:

• Stretching and Exercise: Light movement, such as yoga or walking,g helps release tension and improve blood flow.

• Physiotherapy: A physiotherapist can assess posture, gait, and muscle imbalances to create a customized exercise plan.

• Heat Therapy: Applying a warm compress or soaking in a warm bath before bed can soothe the muscles.

• Lifestyle Adjustments: Reducing caffeine and alcohol, maintaining a consistent sleep schedule, and managing stress all help minimize triggers.

• Nutritional Support: Testing for and correcting low iron, magnesium, or vitamin D levels can support nerve and muscle health.

Combining these methods with consistent RMT sessions supports both short-term relief and long-term improvement.

Massage Therapy for Restless Leg Syndrome at Proactive Health

At Proactive Health in Richmond BC, our massage therapists specialize in helping clients manage the discomfort of Restless Leg Syndrome through personalized, evidence-based treatment.

Each session is designed to relax tight muscles, restore balance to the nervous system, and promote better sleep. We also provide guidance for home care, including self-massage, stretching, and lifestyle habits that complement your in-clinic treatments.

If you’re struggling with restless legs or sleepless nights, massage therapy can help bring calm back to your evenings.

Book your appointment today with one of our Registered Massage Therapists in Richmond BC, and take the first step toward long-term relief.