Relieve Restless Limbs with a Massage Chair
Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) and Restless Arm Syndrome (RAS) are disorders that provoke uncontrollable movements and uncomfortable sensations in the arms or legs. These urges can potentially cause a lack of sleep or increased anxiety and pain. Awareness of RLS dates back to the 17th century, with more focused research in the last 50 years concerning sleep science and quality of life related to our health.
Approximately 10% of Americans currently suffer from the discomforts of RLS or RAS symptoms that can take a mental and physical toll on the body. This disorder also strongly affects the ability to sleep and function efficiently. In the United States, a staggering 50 to 70 million people are troubled with sleep disorders, including RLS, based on statistics from the American Sleep Apnea Association.
Restless Leg Syndrome and Arm Syndrome were first known as nervous system conditions. They have more recently been considered critical sleep disorders. Massage therapy can help you sleep better by easing the symptoms of restless limbs, reducing stress, and boosting circulation.
How Massage Chairs can Ease Restless Legs and Arms
Massage therapy will help you unwind while managing symptoms of restless legs. Especially when used on a routine basis, massage chairs can help ease the physical and mental fatigue that goes hand-in-hand with restless limbs. Applying pressure by rolling or kneading the muscles and tendons will help alleviate muscle tension, combat pain, and alleviate stress caused by lack of relaxation and sleep.Massages Promote Circulation
Rolling, kneading, tapping, and compressing the arms and legs with a massage will help decongest stagnant blood and boost healthy circulation throughout the body. Circulation improvement will allow for renewed endorphins helping to soothe stress, restore oxygen and nutrient distribution, and heal tired or painful muscle tissue from restless legs and restless arms.
Massages Encourage Healthy Lymphatic Flow
The lymphatic system is part of our circulatory function that is crucial to keeping our bodies thriving with health and immunity. Our lymphatic system consists of lymph nodes, vessels, tissues, and organs that serve as a filtering system. They help the body regulate fluid retention in our muscle tissue. Our lymph system also helps the body flush out toxins that collect, sometimes causing swelling or edema in the extremities. Correcting circulation issues within the upper and lower body by stimulating the lymph system through a massage will help treat restless legs.Massage Inspires Mind and Body Relaxation
If you have restless limbs, you are probably familiar with the anxiety of trying to rest or sleep at night. According to the Centers for Disease Control, about 70 million Americans suffer from a chronic sleep disorder. The uncomfortable and uncontrollable urge to move inherently hinders your ability to sleep, showing why Restless Leg or Arm Syndrome is a nervous system and sleep disorder. Massages, especially in the evening, will induce a calm feeling of mindfulness and relaxation by releasing endorphins, the body's natural pain killers. Endorphin release and renewed circulation will help you relax, reduce blood pressure, and can help decrease symptoms and discomforts of restless legs and arms.What are Sleeping or Restless Limbs?
About 10% of Americans suffer from Restless limbs and experience symptoms that can negatively affect daily life and disrupt proper sleep patterns.The ongoing suffering of restless arms or legs can also harm the long-term quality of your health. Restless limbs will subject a person to experiencing involuntary movements of the legs or arms from feeling pain or discomfort when the body attempts to rest.
Restless Limb Causes
No scientist or doctor knows the direct cause of restless limbs. Some studies show the disorder involves a disruption in low dopamine within the brain and pathways linked to muscle movements. The onset of RLS and RAS occurs more often in middle-aged to older adults, and women are much more likely to have restless limbs than men. This disorder is commonly passed down hereditarily from generation to generation, in which symptoms will begin at a younger age. Restless limbs are often related to other health issues like:
- Diabetes
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
- Magnesium, Folic Acid deficiency
- Iron deficiency (Anemia)
- Chronic kidney disease
- Pregnancy
Restless Limb Symptoms
People with restless limbs can experience various symptoms, but any signs of restless legs or arms can be severely disruptive to everyday life and cause added anxiety or stress because of the relentless symptoms and a lack of sleep. Symptoms of uncontrollable urges and uncomfortable sensations or pain commonly worsen in the evening when the body is trying to relax. Many find temporary relief by voluntary motion like walking or fidgeting, but the pain or discomfort returns after a short time of little or no movement. It's no wonder why this condition causes sleeplessness and is now considered a severe sleep disorder. Massage therapy provides holistic and natural tension relief for the mind and body and helps to treat restless limbs. Common sensations connected to the disorders include:- Involuntary movement or the need to move often
- Numbness feeling in legs or arms
- Creepy or crawly feelings
- Bubbling or pulling feelings
- Burning sensations
- Aches or pain
- Throbbing
- Itching
- Tingling (pins and needles)
- Twitching
Risks Factors of Untreated Restless Limbs
- Neuropathy (nerve damage)
- Spinal cord disorders
- Parkinsons
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Osteoarthritis
Massage Techniques Useful for Sleeping Limbs
Massage is helpful to relieve or lessen the severity of the symptoms of sleeping limbs by coaxing away stagnant blood, boosting the lymphatic system, and decreasing muscle tension.Popular massage techniques like compression, recovery and deep tissue massage can assist in alleviating the pain and stress associated with sleeping limbs.