Soaking in a hot tub before bed or even during the day can ease the cramping and pains that are symptoms of  RLS-that’s Restless Leg Syndrome.  This week is  Restless Leg Syndrome Education and Awareness Week.  It’s time to shed some light on this sleep wrecking condition.  If you have it, you typically know it.  But If you have these symptom repeatedly and aren’t aware you have it, though, check with your doctor.

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a neurological condition that is characterized by the irresistible urge to move the legs.

While the name may sound funny, it is a very real disorder. In order for you to be officially diagnosed with RLS, you must meet the criteria described in the four bullets below:

• You have a strong urge to move your legs which you may not be able to resist. The need to move is often accompanied by uncomfortable sensations. Some words used to describe these sensations include: creeping, itching, pulling, creepy-crawly, tugging, or gnawing.
• Your RLS symptoms start or become worse when you are resting especially in bed at night. The longer you are resting, the greater the chance the symptoms will occur and the more severe they are likely to be.
• Your RLS symptoms get better when you move your legs. The relief can be complete or only partial but generally starts very soon after starting an activity. Relief persists as long as the motor activity continues.
• Your RLS symptoms are worse in the evening especially when you are lying down. Activities that bother you at night do not bother you during the day.

RLS can also cause difficulty in falling or staying asleep which can be one of the chief complaints of the syndrome. A substantial number of people who have RLS also have periodic limb movements of sleep (PLMS). These are jerks that occur every 20 to 30 seconds on and off throughout the night. This can cause partial awakenings that disrupt sleep. Sleep deprivation can seriously impact your work, relationships, and health.

How is it treated?

A regular exercise program may help restless legs. Reducing caffeinated drinks, alcohol use or smoking may also help. You may also reduce RLS by keeping mentally active while you are sitting down. When restless legs occurs, any of the following activities may help:

• Walking
• Riding an exercise bike
• Massaging the legs
• Soaking in a hot tub

Check out : The RLS Fact Sheet or the more detailed Living with RLS.

With the rise in medication for RLS, it seems like a doctor’s prescription for a hot tub would be in order, don’t you think? Want to treat RLS the natural way-without medication? Try soaking in a your Hot Spring Spa before bed to relax and massage your legs to ease the cramping and pain! Many of our Olympic Hot Tub customers have reported a decrease in the occurrence of RLS after hot tub soaking.

If you have RLS and want to see if a hot tub will help, come into any of our stores and take a FREE test soak. That way you’ll know for sure that a hot tub can be a real, non-medicated benefit.

If you have RLS symptoms and have used a hot tub for relief,  share your experience by posting a comment below. Thanks!

SANUM PER AQUA. Latin for Health through Water.