A restless feeling in the legs after your running routine can be frustrating. Symptoms can be so severe that they disturb your rest and dissuade you from future running. Because restless legs can sometimes signal a serious underlying condition, it is important to understand why they can occur after running and how they are treated.
Symptoms
A restless feeling in the legs can develop while lying down or sitting after running. It can be an extremely uncomfortable sensation that causes you to constantly stretch, pace, jiggle your lower limbs, flex, walk, toss and turn, or rub your legs. Additional symptoms can include aching, itching, pain, burning, tingling or a creeping or crawling sensation. A restless feeling in the legs can make it difficult to relax or fall asleep after exercise. In addition, it can contribute to sleepiness in the daytime as the result of the constant need to move your legs at night.
Causes
You can develop a restless feeling in the legs following your running routine if you have low levels of folate, B vitamins, magnesium or iron. Running after a long period of inactivity, consuming alcohol regularly or sleep deprivation can also cause a restless sensation in the legs. Certain medications such as antidepressants, antipsychotics, cold medicines or antihistamines can trigger symptoms. In addition, you can experience exercise-related restlessness if you are pregnant or suffer from certain medical conditions such as diabetes or kidney failure.
Treatments
Massage your legs. Soak in a hot or cold bath when symptoms strike. You can also place an ice pack or heating pad over your restless limbs to help ease discomfort and irritation. Walk around and stretch out your legs. A doctor can suggest a vitamin or mineral supplementation program if you suffer from a deficiency in folate, iron or magnesium. A doctor can also prescribe medications such as benzodiazepines or opioids to treat chronic symptoms.
Considerations
Reduce or prevent restless leg symptoms by refraining from tobacco use and decreasing the amount of alcohol or caffeine that you consume each day. Because long periods of inactivity can sometimes trigger restless legs, try to run or participate in a physical activity almost every day. Keep a diary of episodes, noting if symptoms worsen when you increase running intensity or mileage. Talk to your doctor if restless legs worsen or reoccur frequently.
References
- American Sleep Association: Restless Legs Syndrome
- "Runner's World"; Are My Restless Legs the Result of Overtraining?; Susan Paul; October 2009
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke: Restless Legs Syndrome Fact Sheet
