When symptoms of Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) occur, patients often respond by pinching, rubbing, or hitting their legs to alleviate the discomforts. It is recommended that patients massage their legs before bedtime to relax the body and mind, improve muscle circulation, prevent numbness and coldness due to poor blood flow, and aid in falling asleep. Even simple actions like rubbing the soles of the feet for a few minutes in the morning or before bed can be helpful.

In China, massage is not simply regarded as a mean of relaxation but as an important component of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Since massage is easy and safe in application, and with effective results, it has evolved into many of the present forms. Acupressure massage is a popular form that based on the meridian theory. It involves using fingers to strike, press, knead or pinch in order to stimulate specific body points along the meridians. The common body points to promote health for the lower limbs are listed in the Chapter of Massage Therapy.

When doing massage for muscular problems, it is advised to apply a combination of different techniques for stimulation, e.g. standard massage procedures are:

1. Thumb press and knead the affected muscles and surrounding body points;
2. Swing the affected muscles by rolling techniques (rotating the back of the hand rapidly back and forth over the affected surface);
3. Use palm root to rub on the affected area and then grasp the area with the fingers;
4. Rub on the surface with the palm side until the area is warm;
5. At last, pat (with a slightly bent palm) on the area.

For some individuals, their RLS symptoms may be a lifelong problem, it is important to develop some coping strategies that are worked. Plenty of options are available to help find relief and promote better sleep.