Endlessly moving legs might be highly desirable … if you’re a marathon runner. But what if you’re lying in bed at night, and you simply can’t stop moving your legs in an effort to get comfortable?
That can be sheer torture.
Restless legs can strike anyone at any age, but unfortunately, it seems to get worse as we get older. (Else I would have entitled this article, “The Young and the Restless.” Sorry, I couldn’t resist.)
If you haven’t experienced it, let me share how others have described it: “like electricity running through my legs,” “as if spiders are crawling under my skin,” “subtle, aching cramps,” “as though my skin is creeping,” “throbbing” or “itching.”
Moving the legs to another position helps interrupt the discomfort, but only temporarily. Within a few moments, the sufferer has to move them again. And then again. And then again.
Lather, rinse, repeat.
It’s a vicious cycle, keeping them awake and making their spouse feel as though they’re in bed with a jogger!
Two words: no fun. For anybody.
Some naturopaths and doctors believe this is related to a magnesium, zinc or calcium deficiency. That may well be true. But as a homeopath, I don’t look at whether a deficiency is causing this or that condition; I use the diagnosis and symptoms! However, that being said, it is interesting to note that the three main remedies to consider for restless legs are Mag phos 3 or 6, Zincum metallicum 6, or Calc phos 3 (or Calc phos 6).
If I were going to employ a remedy, I would make my choice by trying to find another rationale — in addition to restless legs — that one or more of these remedies fit. In fact, that’s the way I often look at choosing a homeopathic medicine. Many times, I don’t want to make my choice based on just one condition; I seek relevancy in other areas as well.
That might seem complicated, but it’s not. So, let me distill it down for you with examples. Say, someone, experiences restless legs and also leg cramps, menstrual cramps or other muscles’ cramping — Mag phos should be considered.
Someone who would best fit Zincum metallicum might also notice involuntary movements of their muscles. (As an aside, if they know they have a zinc deficiency, they might also consider eating more oysters!)
Or let’s say instead, our restless-leg sufferer also has trouble falling asleep, is a worrier or knows of a calcium uptake issue (through diagnosis) — well, then we’re looking at Calc phos.
Make sense?
I would like to throw in one more for consideration: Cuprum metallicum 6. Cuprum is indicated when the involuntary muscle movements are severe, especially in the extremities (such as the legs). This person cannot find relief from their restless legs. They cannot even lie in bed; they have to get up and walk and walk and walk. In that kind of severe case, I would think first of Cuprum metallicum 6.
Please understand there can be hundreds of homeopathic remedies that might apply to restless legs and involuntary movement. As a fascinating example, Hyland’s sells a combination remedy called Restful Legs™ which includes several remedies I’ve not mentioned here — a perfect illustration of how with homeopathy, there is more than one way to skin a cat!
But, the remedies I’ve included in this article are the four I use the most, and the four many people respond well to. Whichever medicine is chosen, it would be taken twice daily. (Don’t forget to scroll to the end of this article to download FOUR free Remedy Cards listing each of these remedies with their related symptoms.)
Now, if none of these are successful, don’t let me hear from anyone that homeopathy didn’t work!
No! It’s just that we didn’t go deep enough! Another, more appropriate medicine must be chosen, and that can often take time to uncover.
Each case is different, and there might be other circumstances that need to be considered. It could be a poor diet; it could be menopause; it could be drugs someone is taking. (Remember this one; it's often key.) There are so many factors making each particular case unique.
In writing my blog, I am trying to teach the most obvious remedy to consider — without taking the case. There are so many lifestyle variables that can be contributory to experiencing restless legs: drugs, a low-fat diet, drinking too much coffee, eating too much chocolate, lack of exercise, or even too much exercise.
That same principle is true of any condition! For instance, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been told someone has severe leg pain only to learn later they are taking statin drugs to lower their cholesterol.
Guess what one of the most common complaints of people taking statins is? Yep. Muscle pain and weakness. So, their leg pain is not what I’d call a side effect. Instead, I call it an iatrogenic disease — an illness caused by medical treatment.
But if someone has examined and adjusted all their lifestyle choices appropriately and notice no impact on their restless legs, then it’s time they look at these four first-line remedies.
Warmly,
P.S. In order to make well-informed choices between various remedies that may apply to any given condition, I highly recommend that you own a materia medica in order to understand each medicine more clearly. There are certainly many good materia medicas out there, but if you would prefer one written in plain English with your most common needs in mind, please consider my recent publication: A Materia Medica: Practical Homeopathy® for Busy Families.
I am a homeopath with a worldwide practice working with families and individuals via Zoom. I'm also a teacher and most importantly, a mom who raised my now-adult children depending on homeopathy over the last 31 years. I lived decades of my life with food intolerances, allergies, and chemical sensitivities until I was cured with homeopathy, so I understand pain, anxiety, and suffering. You may feel that your issues are more severe or different than anyone else’s, but I have seen it all in my practice and in my work in India. My opinion is that nothing has come close to the reproducible, safe and effective results that my clients, students and I have achieved with homeopathy.
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Joette is not a physician and the relationship between Joette and her clients is not of prescriber and patient, but as educator and client. It is fully the client's choice whether or not to take advantage of the information Joette presents. Homeopathy doesn't "treat" an illness; it addresses the entire person as a matter of wholeness that is an educational process, not a medical one. Joette believes that the advice and diagnosis of a physician is often in order.
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Great article Joette! Informative and instructional and applicable thank you for the effort you put into it. It helps on many levels. Does sciatica ever get mistaken for restless leg? I mean, can that feeling in the leg be similar between them? Maybe in a mild sciatica?
I suppose its possible that they might be related or simultaneous, but sciatica nerve pain is pretty darned painful for most.
I to loved the article Joette! What would you suggest for severe arthritic pain in legs? I have tried Arnica, and it helps quite a bit. But having problems when i get down, not being able to get up. My legs both have severe arthritis. I think the Arnica helps with some of the inflammation.
Magnesium also works perfectly on restless legs.
Its not a good plan to take gross magnesium unless you’re referring to Magnesium phosphoirum 6x.
Thank you Joette! I always used Rhus Tox. It takes away restless leg and as a bonus takes away restless mind. It’s amazing! Thanks again
I have had restless legs for a long time and has gotten worse . I have tried the Hylands and it did nothing I went to a neurologist and did iron and magnesium with no help .I take ropinirole to sleep .It is used for Parkinson’s . I get by but do a lot of walking because I can’t set a lot. Rebecca
Hi Joette!
Last week I had a mild case of restless legs and after searching through your site, I took Mag Pos 6 + Calc Pos 6 twice a day for a few days (until 2 more days or so after it stopped. I was just going to start again if it came back but it hasn’t.) When I took my dose before bed, it knocked me out, I don’t think I moved all night long! It was kind of nice and made me want to keep taking it, even though I sleep don’t sleep BAD as it is. Is there any reason I couldn’t??
Kelly
I call that feeling of an irresistible urge to move my legs, the heebie geebies; it is the worst to have it riding in the car. But I experience something else that some may also consider restless leg syndrome. After a particularly busy day on my feet, I sometimes have an achy feeling that radiates from my hips to my feet. It is impossible to fall asleep with such discomfort. I have discovered that if I lie down with my feet propped up on a wall or the back of the couch, the feeling subsides (usually after 10 minutes or so). It is such a small investment for the relief that it brings, especially before bedtime.
Hi Joette. I have a couple family members that have involuntary muscle twitching in various body parts as they fall asleep or in their sleep, but it doesn’t seem to disturb their sleep. Would you treat if it doesn’t disturb sleep? If so, are these remedies the ones to consider when the twitching is not legs?
It’s not something I’d treat unless there was a good rationale for doing so. I’m a proponent to let life carry on without too much thought or angst about the small stuff.
I’ve only experienced restless legs during pregnancy, and it’s terrible!!! However, with my last pregnancy, I knew to look to homeopathy for help, and zinc helped. My daughter gets them sometimes, but we can’t tell if it’s restless legs or growing pains, or both. Rus Tox usually works for her, but if not, zinc does. I love homeopathy!
I have had restless legs for years with poor sleep. I’ve taken mirapex for a few years now and it helps occasionally but I still get it. Sometimes if I don’t take the pill I cannot sleep all night. Looking forward to trying your recommendations. Where cañ I buy recommended supplements?
Click on the highlighted name of the medicine and it will take you there.
I have only recently begun to suffer with restless legs since embarking into menopause. I find that the Hyland’s Leg Cramps helps me every time. I’ve been taking it for several weeks but while its helping, it doesn’t seem to be uprooting it. Do the above 4 remedies seem to uproot restless legs for good? Would a mixture such as the Hyland’s remedy ever actually uproot something or just manage the symptoms? thanks.
Heidi, Excellent question! My elderly mother suffers from restless legs pretty badly at night. She’s been using Hylands Restful Legs for 9 months now and it usually helps but it has not uprooted it. It disturbs her sleep a lot. By the way, you said “Hyland’s Leg Cramps” which is a different product made for muscle cramping. Which product are you using? Also, I’m wondering if you have uprooted your restless legs. Thanks. Look forward to hearing from you. Pat
I love all your blogs. I have a question,.my 13 year old son keeps shaking his leg up and down whenever he sits on the chair. Please let me know your thoughts if that would fall under restless leg. If yes, which of the above remedies might help him? Thanks
This is absolutely a symptom of restless leg syndrome. I have severe restless leg syndrome. I walk the floor every night if I’m not in a hot bath, so you might check on your son at night and see if his legs are moving because they likely are, and he may not know what yet.
I have had RLS for years. Have tried all the prescriptions. Have tried Magnesium with no help. I want to get off of Klonopin but it is the only thing that helps some. Still keeps me awake. I have tried homeopathic remedy’s you recommend and hasn’t helped either. Help!!
I get the sense that you didn’t fully read the article.
I tried a bottle of the Hyland’s for my daughter (12), giving the dosing on the bottle as directed. She has had problems falling asleep b/c of her legs for 2 years now. She did not experience any relief. How long should we this before switching to another? I’m thinking calc phos will be a good fit for her. Thank you!
I usually give medicine for a chronic condition at least 6 weeks before moving on.
Thanks, Joette! My husband had a bad cold sore a few weeks ago, so I used your recommendation of Antimonium Crud 6. While it did get better, he was reluctant to attribute it to the remedy. However, he *did* say, “I don’t want to tell you this, but I think it cured my restless legs!” I looked it up in a materia medica, and I saw “restlessness” was listed with Ant Crud. Is it possible this helped? If not, I’ll now be ready with these 3 options!
The way homeopathy works is that medicines act on many different levels and often we find that satellite conditions are touched.
Thank you for this post Joette! Could zincum be considere for neck twitching as well?
And I’d like to download the cards of the remedies but I don’t see the link anywhere. Could you please send me a link for them?
Thans again 🙂
Zincum met is used for twitching almost any where on the body.
I do take the Hyland’s Restless Leg remedy. It works beautifully every time!