By ZOE HARDY FOR MAILONLINE

Published: 12:49 BST, 15 April 2025 | Updated: 12:52 BST, 15 April 2025

A top doctor has revealed a life-changing hack that could provide instant relief to the millions of people kept up at night by restless leg symptoms. 

According to Dr Joe Whittington, a US-based emergency room medic, tying socks around the feet could help calm overactive nerves that drive the problem.

In an Instagram post that has been viewed more than 120,000 times, Dr Joe—who revealed he suffers from restless legs himself—urged people to try the method.

‘Tying a sock or wrap just below your toes might actually calm restless leg syndrome’ and, there is ‘real science’ behind it, Dr Joe claims.

Known medically as Willis-Ekbom disease, restless leg syndrome, which affects one in ten adults, is described by the NHS as an overwhelming urge to move the legs.

Patients often report the symptoms being at their worst at night, in bed, when the body is relaxed—although it is not clear why, or what causes the condition. 

According to the NHS, it can also cause unpleasant crawling or creeping sensation in the feet, calves and thighs.

Dr Joe, who has 782,000 Instagram followers, demonstrated in the video how to tie the socks to provide long-lasting relief: ‘Make it just snug enough to apply a little bit of pressure. Do this for both feet.’ 

The doctor added: ‘This simple foot compression technique can significantly reduce restless leg syndrome symptoms by triggering pressure points that help relax overactive nerves.

‘As someone who struggles with restless legs themselves, this technique has been by far the most effective thing for me and my symptoms’.

But it doesn’t just work for him, he added.  

‘A clinical study has been shown to decrease restless leg symptoms in 90 per cent of the people that tried it’, he said. 

Dr Joe’s intervention comes as patients were warned last month that the drugs used to treat restless leg symptoms could trigger an unexpected and bizarre sexual side effect. 

The drugs—known as dopamine antagonists—interact with parts of the brain that control movement, helping to ease restless leg symptoms. 

Yet, more that a dozen women have now claimed the drugs, such as ropinirole, saw them develop compulsive gambling and sex addictions. 

The ‘unusual urge to gamble or increased sexual urges’ is listed as a general side-effect in the patient information leaflets provided alongside the drug.  

With women twice as likely to develop restless leg syndrome as men, Dr Joe stresses the benefits of the life-changing and ‘drug free’ hack. 

Experts also believe that exercising regularly, avoiding alcohol and caffeine late at night, and following a regular bedtime routine could help ease symptoms in mild cases of restless leg syndrome that are not linked to an underlying health condition. 

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Doctor with restless leg syndrome shares the only hack that relieves his symptoms – and works for nine in ten

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