Restless leg syndrome (RLS) continues to be one of the most difficult sleep disorders to manage.

Patients are often misdiagnosed with RLS when criteria for the disease have not been met. Patients may describe their urges as “Jimmy jumpy legs,” “twitchy,” “legs want to move on their own,” “numbness,” or “painful.” In my experience, patients with neuropathy or radiating pain secondary to back issues are those who are often misdiagnosed with RLS.

New evidence points to possible improvement of symptoms with certain exercises. According to a randomized control trial, tension and trauma release exercises were associated with improvement in RLS symptoms.2 In addition, as medications for RLS can result in augmentation, or worsening, of RSL symptoms, nonpharmacologic interventions may be a beneficial treatment option.