Can a Massage Gun Help with Restless Legs?

A massage gun is a quick way to relax your muscles and relieve the feeling of restless legs, whether the condition is from overuse of the muscles or you are one of the three million Americans who suffer from Restless Leg Syndrome. 

People who experience restless legs have been turning to massage guns for years. While many people believe these types of devices are only good for a great back massage or tension reliever at home, they are actually an ideal tool to use for many other conditions, including RLS.

Should I Use a Massage Gun for My Restless Legs

If you suffer from restless legs at any time, using a massage gun is a great way to deal with multiple symptoms and control the situation before it gets worse or causes you any more discomfort or lack of sleep.

RLS is not only an issue for the adult population, with 5-10% of the US suffering from the effects, but according to Sleep Foundation, 2-4% of the child population also struggles with these conditions. A massage gun is safe for adults and children alike, making it an ideal option for treatment.

Best Massage Gun for Restless Legs

This is the best value massage gun you can get for your money. The iReliev Massage Gun is lightweight and offers the longest battery life for the price on the market.

The Benefits of a Massage Gun for Restless Legs

Since the handheld home massage guns have made their way to the market and at an affordable price, people have been flocking to retailers to pick up this easy-to-use device for all sorts of aches and pains. 
However, not many people with restless legs think that this product would be beneficial in helping them with their situation, and it is simply not true, and here’s why.

Relaxes and Calms Inflamed Muscles

Although the exact reason for restless legs isn’t known, it is obvious there is muscle tension and pain that comes with it. Using a massage gun is a great way to relax these overworked or angered muscles and restore your muscle condition.

Similar to a good back massage, a massage gun has a way of getting deep into your legs tissue and deep muscle to relieve aches and pains. Researchers have actually found that this type of stimulation sets off a series of molecular events that primarily works to reliving muscle inflammation and tension.

Improves Blood Circulation

Another problem believed to contribute to restless legs is a lack of proper blood circulation to your limbs, which may be why the condition seems to get worse for most people at night or while laying down. 
Massage guns are an effective treatment for stabilizing proper blood flow by enhancing lymphatic circulation and moving obstructed blood from that location of the body. 

Increases Body Relaxation

Just like most other medical conditions, stress and anxiety can increase RLS (Restless Leg Syndrom) events and can enhance the symptoms and pains it causes.
Getting a massage is often one of the first things people think to do when they begin to feel the effects of stress, so why would you consider it for RLS?

Using a massage gun will help aid in relaxation and limit the tension and stress placed on your leg muscles and the rest of your body. Once you are able to relax, all of your muscles will too.
Pain is only one of RLS symptoms, and most of the time isn’t even considered the most frustrating.

So, keeping your body in a calm state is a great way to eliminate many of the side effects this condition can cause.

Improves Quality of Sleep 

Many people who suffer from restless legs have an extremely poor quality of sleep which can lead to symptoms of sleep apnea, sleep deprivation, and more. We all know how important sleep is for our overall wellness, and getting good sleep will also improve the occurring restless leg events.

Using a massage gun at night to improve the feeling caused by restless legs will help you get to sleep quicker and stay asleep longer, providing you with the 7-8 hours your body and mind need to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Reduces Depression

People don’t often associate restless legs with depression, but the two can easily go hand and hand and unfortunately often do. People who deal with restless leg complications can find themselves unable to function normally, feel agitated and frustrated often, and can begin to feel hopeless.

Once people in these types of dramatic situations begin to see the benefits of massage guns and know there is a light at the end of the tunnel, or at least a form of temporary relief,  they can start to turn their lives around, not only physically but mentally as well. 

Safe For Kids

As previously stated, a large number of children in the US suffer from the uncomfortable symptoms of restless legs. A lot of parents are uncomfortable with medicinal intervention, especially in cases where the condition isn’t necessarily understood.

Luckily, massage guns (when used correctly) are a safe way to treat the pain and discomfort caused by this condition. It is actually recommended to treat children as young as infants, providing parents with a treatment they can feel good about.

To read more about the Pros and Cons of a Massage gun click here.

How Do You Use a Massage Gun to Help with Restless Legs?

If you have finally decided a massage gun is a good choice for your restless leg issue, you need to know how to use it properly in order to achieve the best results.

Although most of the time, restless leg symptoms affect the bottom of your legs, you should cover the entire bottom half of your body for the most effective relief. 

Start with the IT band and hips, then move down to your shin area, calves, and feet. The consistent and intense vibration of the gun acts quickly, and you should start to feel relief almost immediately.

What Type of Massage Gun Attachment Do You Use For Restless Legs?

Massage guns come with a variety of attachments to handle different aches, pains, and tension. You can experiment with multiple options to see which one works best for you. However, many people go straight for the wide flat head attachment because it covers a wide area and places pressure on the entire muscle.

To read more about massage gun attachments and their uses click here.

Areas to Avoid When Using a Massage Gun for Restless Legs

Massage guns are highly effective for restless leg pain and are relatively safe to use. However, there are a few locations on the body you should never use a message gun, no matter how bad the restless leg symptoms get. 

• Boney areas such as ankles and knees
• musculoskeletal injuries
• Bruises
• Open or freshly healed wounds

Using a massage gun on these areas can exacerbate the current injury or condition and can cause more harm than good. To read more about how to safely use a massage gun click here.

If you are suffering from conditions such as osteoporosis, arthritis, fibromyalgia, or any other type of musculoskeletal issues, it is in your best interest to consult your physician before attempting massage gun therapy for your restless leg conditions.

Summing Things Up

So, if you are sitting on the couch watching t.v. or laying in bed reading and getting ready to crash for the night and start to feel that anxiety-inducing tingle, pull out your massage fun and relive your legs before you lose any more sleep due to restless leg issues.

References

https://healthland.time.com/2012/02/02/how-massage-helps-heal-muscles-and-relieve-pain/
https://massagerhouse.com/does-massage-help-restless-leg-syndrome/
https://achedaway.com/blogs/massage-gun/top-10-benefits-of-a-massage-gun#:~:text=Percussive%20massage%20provided%20by%20a%20massage%20gun%20helps,routine%20is%20a%20great%20way%20to%20relieve%20stress