Restless Legs Syndrome

Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS), also called Willis-Ekbom disease, is a neurologic sensorimotor condition characterized by an urge to move the legs, usually accompanied by uncomfortable sensations such as crawling, tingling, pulling, aching, or inner restlessness. Symptoms classically worsen during rest, become more noticeable in the evening or at night, and are at least partly relieved by movement. For many people, the biggest impact is not pain alone but sleep disruption, which can then contribute to fatigue, mood changes, impaired concentration, and reduced quality of life.

Treatment options vary because RLS is not a single-pathway condition. In some cases, symptoms are linked to iron deficiency or low brain iron availability even when anemia is not obvious; in others, medications, kidney disease, pregnancy, neuropathy, or coexisting sleep disorders may contribute. Western care often focuses on identifying reversible drivers, improving sleep quality, and using medications when symptoms are frequent or distressing. Eastern approaches such as acupuncture, mind-body regulation, and traditional herbal strategies are often explored for symptom relief, relaxation, and sleep support, though the evidence base is generally more limited and less standardized than for core medical therapies. A balanced review usually includes both symptom severity and the broader context of sleep, triggers, iron status, and medication side effects.