Massage therapy and restless legs syndrome

SummaryThis paper reports the effect of 3 weeks of massage of a 35-year-old woman with restless legs syndrome (RLS). The treatment consisted of myofascial release, trigger point therapy, deep tissue, and sports massage techniques applied to the lower extremity, focusing on the piriformis and hamstring muscles. The subject received a 45-min massage treatment twice weekly with a space of 2 days. The subject kept a log during this time which recorded hours of sleep, nocturnal waking, intensity and type of RLS symptoms, caffeine, alcohol, tobacco and medication intake as well as an estimate of stress level. In addition, the subject completed a Functional Rating Index, before, during and after the study, regarding frequency, intensity and duration of symptoms. Symptoms (tingling sensations, urgency to move the legs and sleeplessness), were decreased after two treatments and continued to improve throughout the 3 weeks.