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What does the restless legs syndrome (RLS) feel like?

RLS results in uncomfortable leg sensations, like aching or throbbing, that are transiently relieved by movement only to begin again.

RLS is characterized by an overwhelming (can be distressing) uncomfortable or even painful feelings inside the legs (not on the skin) that is ameliorated by moving the legs.  Post movement the uncomfortable sensation in the legs returns gradually increasing in intensity until there is an irresistible urge to move the legs again.  Then the cycle of uncomfortable feelings and movement repeats.  The sensation in the legs can be difficult to describe.  Some common descriptors are:

  • Need to move

  • Creeping or crawling

  • Tingling or "pins and needles"

  • Pulling or tugging

  • Aching or throbbing

  • Crawling insects under the skin

  • Electric shocks

  • Prickly or painful

  • Itching

leg tingling sensation
leg electric shocks sensations
leg creepy sensation
leg aching sensation

Figure 1: Visual representation of RLS leg sensations

The sensations range in severity from uncomfortable to irritating to painful.  Severe RLS causing pain is usually more of an ache than a sharp, stabbing pain.  (For more information, see the description of RLS from the Brain Foundation).

 Typical movements to relieve the unpleasant leg sensation are:

  • Pacing and walking

  • Jiggling the legs

  • Stretching and flexing

  • Tossing and turning

  • Rubbing the legs

Primary RLS often is a lifelong condition.  Symptoms often get worse over time.  If an underlying condition or medicine triggers RLS (Secondary RLS), the RLS may go away if the trigger is relieved or stopped.  For example, RLS that occurs due to pregnancy tends to dissipate after giving birth.

Although RLS typically involves the legs, in some unusual instances the arms, hands, thighs or feet may have the restless sensation.  In rare circumstances RLS may affect the chest or head.  RLS is strongly associated with inactivity.  Usually RLS occurs at night while inactive and attempting to fall asleep.  The onset of restless legs is proposed to be due to the intersection of the endogenous circadian rhythm (body clock) decreasing dopamine levels (regulates smooth muscle movement) and inactivity.  Uncommonly RLS can occur at different times of the day when inactive (e.g. sitting on a bus, a movie theatre or long-distance flight).  RLS usually occurs in both sides of the body but can occur in just one side. (For more information, see the description of RLS from the Brain Foundation.)

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Sleep onset and maintenance complaints are reported by up to 90% of patients with RLS.  Up to 80% of people with RLS also experience involuntary leg twitching or kicking during sleep.  These leg movements occur every 15 to 40 seconds and are known as Periodic Limb Movement Disorder (PLMD).  This can further disrupt sleep.  PLMD can occur without RLS especially in the elderly.  Unlike RLS, the movements caused by PLMD are involuntary – people have no control over them.​

Prevalence

It's not uncommon for RLS symptoms to come and go.  Symptoms can disappear for a while (weeks or months) and then return. 

Daytime symptoms of the restless legs syndrome

An episode of RLS can last for several hours.  This leads to an inability to fall asleep resulting in sleep deprivation.  Additionally, PLMD disturbs sleep.  This sleep loss may lead to daytime symptoms including:​

  • Excessive daytime sleepiness

  • Reduced concentration

  • Memory lapses

  • Poor decision making

  • Microsleeps

  • Irritability

  • Heightened anxiety

  • Mood swings and /or depression​

  • Lack of motivation

  • Fatigue and lethargy

  • Reduced sexual desire and erectile dysfunction

  • Reduced coordination

  • Weakened immune system

  • Appetite changes

  • Reduced quality of life

  • Reduced productivity

Although daytime fatigue and sleepiness are common complaints, the expected level of daytime somnolence is lower than expected for the degree of sleep disturbance, suggesting a degree of hyperarousal in RLS.

man with daytime sleepiness
man with poor concentration

Figure 2:  Examples of daytime symptoms of sleep disturbance

For more information on symptoms of RLS, see the "Common Signs and symptoms of RLS" from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke) and the "What are the symptoms of restless legs syndrome" section from Healthdirect.

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​Last reviewed: 05/09/2026

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