Restless Legs SyndromeSymptoms, Doctors, Treatments, Advances & More
Learn About Restless Legs Syndrome
View Main Condition: Movement Disorders
Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a nervous system problem that causes you to feel an unstoppable urge to get up and pace or walk. You feel uncomfortable unless you move your legs. Moving stops the unpleasant feeling for a short time.
This disorder is also known as restless legs syndrome/Willis-Ekbom disease (RLS/WED).
Willis-Ekbom disease; Nocturnal myoclonus; RLS; Akathisia
No one knows exactly what causes RLS. It may be due to a problem with the way brain cells use dopamine. Dopamine is a brain chemical that helps with muscle movement.
RLS may be linked to some other conditions. It may occur more often in people with:
- Chronic kidney disease
- Diabetes
- Iron, magnesium, or folic acid deficiency
- Anemia (often due to iron deficiency)
- Parkinson disease
- Peripheral neuropathy
- Pregnancy
- Multiple sclerosis
RLS may also occur in people who:
- Use certain medicines such as calcium channel blockers, lithium, or neuroleptics
- Are stopping sedative use
- Use caffeine, alcohol, or nicotine
RLS occurs most often in middle-aged and older adults. Women are more likely to have RLS than men.
RLS is commonly passed down in families. This may be a factor when symptoms start at a younger age.
RLS leads to unpleasant feelings in your lower legs. These feelings cause an unstoppable urge to move your legs. You may feel:
- Creeping and crawling
- Bubbling, pulling, or tugging
- Burning or searing
- Aching, throbbing, or pain
- Itching or gnawing
- Tingling, pins and needles in the feet
These sensations:
- Are worse at night when you lie down to the point that it may interfere with sleep and keep you awake
- Sometimes occur during the day
- Start or get worse when you lie down or sit for long periods of time
- May last for 1 hour or longer
- Sometimes also occur in the upper legs, feet, or arms
- Are relieved when you move or stretch as long as you keep moving
These symptoms can make it difficult to sit during air or car travel, or through classes or meetings.
Stress or emotional upset can make symptoms worse.
Most people with RLS have rhythmic leg movements when they sleep. This condition is called periodic limb movement disorder.
All of these symptoms make it hard to sleep. Lack of sleep can lead to:
- Daytime sleepiness
- Anxiety or depression
- Confusion
- Difficulty thinking clearly
RLS can't be cured. However, treatment can help relieve symptoms.
Certain lifestyle changes may help you cope with the condition and ease symptoms.
- Get enough sleep. Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day. Make sure your bed and bedroom are comfortable.
- Try using hot or cold packs on your legs.
- Help your muscles relax with gentle stretches, massage, and warm baths.
- Take time out of your day to just relax. Try yoga, meditation, or other ways to ease tension.
- Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and tobacco. They may make symptoms worse.
Your provider may prescribe medicines to treat RLS.
Some medicines help control symptoms:
- Pramipexole (Mirapex)
- Ropinirole (Requip)
- Low doses of narcotics are used only for people who don't respond to these treatments
If you are found to have iron deficiency anemia, it is important to diagnose and treat the underlying cause of the iron deficiency. Iron replacement may be necessary and may help reduce the symptoms of RLS in some people.
Other medicines can help you sleep:
- Sinemet (combination carbidopa-levodopa), an anti-Parkinson medicine
- Gabapentin or pregabalin
- Clonazepam or other tranquilizers
Medicines to help you sleep may cause daytime sleepiness.
Treating conditions with similar symptoms such as peripheral neuropathy can also help relieve symptoms.
Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center
Dr. Christopher Earley's research and clinical interests are devoted to Sleep Medicine with a special interest in Restless Legs Syndrome. His current research is focused on understanding the pathophysiology of Restless Legs Syndrome and further elucidating the value of various treatments in this syndrome. Dr. Earley received his medical degree as well as a PhD in Pharmacology from the University College in Galway, Ireland. He completed a full residency in Internal Medicine at Baylor Medical College and then went to the University of Virginia in Charlottesville to complete his residency in Neurology. After then spending a year at the NIH as a fellow in the Neurobiology Unit, Dr. Earley joined the faculty at Johns Hopkins in 1991. 2008 Professor, Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins 1994- Associate Director, Sleep Disorders Center, JHBMC Education and Training: 1973 - B.S. (General), Villanova University 1974 - B.A. (Psychology), Arizona State University 1978 - Ph.D. (Pharmacology), National University of Ireland 1983 - M.B., B.Ch. ( Medicine), National University of Ireland 1983-1984 Internship, University Hospital, Galway, Ireland 1984-1987 Resident in Internal Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 1987-1990 Resident in Neurology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 1990-1991 Senior Staff Fellow, Neurobiology Unit, NIH/NIA Professional Experience: 1991- Full-time Staff Neurologist, Johns Hopkins 1992-1999 Assistant Professor, Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins 1993-2001 Director, Acute Stroke Service, 1994- Associate Director, Sleep Disorders Center 1994-1999 Co-Director, Neurosciences Critical Care Unit 1996-2000 Director, Neurovascular Ultrasound Lab 1999-2008 Associate Professor, Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins. Dr. Earley is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Restless Legs Syndrome. His top areas of expertise are Restless Legs Syndrome, Periodic Limb Movement Disorder, Narcolepsy, Seizures, and Gastrostomy.
Emory Sleep Center
David Rye is a Sleep Medicine provider in Atlanta, Georgia. Dr. Rye has been practicing medicine for over 38 years and is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Restless Legs Syndrome. His top areas of expertise are Restless Legs Syndrome, Idiopathic Hypersomnia, Narcolepsy, and Obstructive Sleep Apnea.
Duke Neurological Disorders Clinic - Clinic 1L
With over 15 years of experience in the field of electroencephalography, epilepsy diagnosis, and the management of people with drug-resistant epilepsy, I serve as the Director of the Duke Comprehensive Epilepsy Center. My responsibilities also encompass overseeing the Analytical Neurophysiology Lab, which focuses on advancing the field of neurophysiology to more accurately localize epileptic foci in patients with drug-resistant epilepsy, employing state-of-the art signal analysis techniques integrated with artificial intelligence. The ultimate aim of this endeavor is to optimize treatment efficacy through individually tailored approaches, thereby enhancing the quality of life in people with epilepsy. Central to my approach is the concerted effort to assemble a highly collaborative team to achieve the best possible outcome for each patient. To do so, I also strive to integrate the latest innovative developments in the field into patient care, ensuring the highest treatment standards in our field. Dr. Frauscher is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Restless Legs Syndrome. Her top areas of expertise are Epilepsy, Restless Legs Syndrome, Seizures, and REM Behavior Disorder.
RLS is not dangerous. However, it can be uncomfortable, making it hard to sleep and affecting your quality of life.
You may not be able to sleep well (insomnia).
Contact your provider for an appointment if:
- You have symptoms of RLS
- Your sleep is disrupted
- Symptoms get worse
There is no way to prevent RLS.
Summary: This study aims to evaluate neurophysiological responses and symptom changes in individuals with Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) and/or chronic pain. Participants will undergo standard clinical assessments including EEG, EMG, h-reflex, SSEP, ERP, and TMS under varying SCS conditions.The study involves 4 arms. Arm 1 are individuals diagnosed with RLS and Healthy Controls. Arm 2 are individuals diagnos...
Summary: The Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) is a sensorimotor disorder better characterized by an urge to move the legs at rest. Although treatments are available, many patients experience periods of symptoms relief and exacerbation. Whether this is due to the natural history of the disease or to health-related behaviors of daily life is presently unknown. The primary objective is to examine the feasibility ...
Published Date: July 17, 2025
Published By: Joseph V. Campellone, MD, Department of Neurology, Cooper Medical School at Rowan University, Camden, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Allen RP, Montplaisir J, Walters AS, Hogl B, Ferini-Strambi L. Restless legs syndrome (Willis-Ekbom disease) and periodic limb movements during sleep. In: Kryger M, Roth T, Goldstein CA, Dement WC, eds. Principles and Practice of Sleep Medicine. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 121.
Avidan AY. Sleep and its disorders. In: Jankovic J, Mazziotta JC, Pomeroy SL, Newman NJ, eds. Bradley and Daroff's Neurology in Clinical Practice. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 101.
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke website. Restless legs syndrome. www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/restless-legs-syndrome. Updated April 7, 2025. Accessed July 30, 2025.
Vaughn BV, Basner RC. Sleep disorders. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 374.
Winkelman JW, Armstrong MJ, Allen RP, et al. Practice guideline summary: treatment of restless legs syndrome in adults: report of the Guideline Development, Dissemination, and Implementation Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology. Neurology. 2016;87(24):2585-2593. PMID: 27856776 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27856776/.