Restless Leg Syndrome in Reno, NV
Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) causes an uncontrollable urge to move your legs, most often at night or during extended periods of rest. At Gates Brain Health, we look beyond symptom management to find the root neurological and metabolic causes driving your RLS — so you can finally get lasting relief.
Request an AppointmentWhat Is Restless Leg Syndrome?
Restless Leg Syndrome is a neurological sensory disorder that triggers uncomfortable sensations in the legs — often described as crawling, creeping, pulling, throbbing, aching, itching, or an electric feeling deep in the limb rather than on the skin. These sensations create an overwhelming urge to move, and symptoms typically worsen in the evening or at night when you’re sitting or lying down. RLS can also flare during extended periods of inactivity, such as long car rides or flights.
RLS can begin at any age but generally worsens over time. Many people with RLS also experience a related condition called Periodic Limb Movement of Sleep (PLMS), which causes legs to twitch and kick during sleep — often without the person realizing it — contributing to unrefreshing sleep and daytime fatigue.
Temporary relief often comes with movement — stretching, jiggling the legs, pacing, or walking — but that relief tends to be short-lived. This is what makes RLS so disruptive: you’re caught in a cycle of discomfort, movement, and broken rest night after night.
What Causes Restless Leg Syndrome?
Conventional medicine frequently identifies RLS as primary (idiopathic) or secondary to other conditions. At Gates Brain Health, Dr. Randall Gates, D.C., Board Certified Chiropractic Neurologist, takes a deeper functional approach and investigates contributing factors that are often overlooked:
Iron Deficiency: Even when standard blood work looks “normal,” low ferritin levels — the body’s iron storage protein — are strongly associated with RLS. The brain requires adequate iron for dopamine production, and insufficient iron can directly impair dopaminergic signaling in the basal ganglia, a key area involved in movement control.
Dopamine Dysfunction: The basal ganglia relies on dopamine to regulate smooth, coordinated movement. Disruption in this system is central to RLS. This is why dopamine-related medications are often prescribed — but addressing the root cause of dopamine dysregulation is a more sustainable approach.
Peripheral Neuropathy: Damage to the peripheral nerves — commonly from diabetes, B-vitamin deficiencies, or toxin exposure — can trigger or worsen RLS symptoms. If you also experience peripheral neuropathy, treating both conditions together is essential.
Autoimmune and Thyroid Disorders: Conditions like Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and other autoimmune disorders can affect neurological function and contribute to RLS. Similarly, untreated or undertreated thyroid dysfunction is a known trigger.
Gut Health and Microbiome Imbalances: An unhealthy gut microbiome affects nutrient absorption — including iron and B vitamins — and drives systemic inflammation that can worsen neurological symptoms. Leaky gut is often an overlooked contributor to RLS.
Kidney Disease and Pregnancy: Secondary RLS is also associated with end-stage renal disease and pregnancy, where iron demands and hormonal shifts can trigger symptoms.
How Gates Brain Health Approaches RLS
Dr. Gates doesn’t simply mask RLS symptoms — he performs a comprehensive neurological and functional evaluation to identify the specific drivers behind your condition. This includes a full neurological exam, eye movement testing (videonystagmography) to evaluate brain function, and targeted laboratory panels assessing iron stores, thyroid markers, autoimmune antibodies, nutrient levels, and more.
From there, a personalized treatment plan is developed that may include dietary adjustments, targeted supplementation to restore iron, dopamine cofactors, and B-vitamins, neuroplasticity-based exercises, and lifestyle modifications. Our goal is to get to the ROOT of your RLS so you can sleep through the night and live without the constant urge to move.
If you’re tired of restless nights and want answers beyond a prescription pad, contact Gates Brain Health today at (775) 507-2000 or schedule a consultation online.
Also explore related conditions we treat: Chronic Fatigue, Peripheral Neuropathy, Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, and Depression & Anxiety.
Frequently Asked Questions About Restless Leg Syndrome
What does restless leg syndrome feel like?
RLS is typically described as an uncomfortable sensation deep inside the legs — often crawling, creeping, aching, throbbing, pulling, or electric-like. Unlike skin sensations, RLS originates inside the limb. The discomfort creates an overwhelming urge to move your legs, and symptoms are usually worse during rest or at night. Movement brings temporary relief, but symptoms return quickly once you stop.
Is restless leg syndrome a neurological condition?
Yes. RLS is classified as a neurological sensory-motor disorder. It involves dysfunction in the brain’s dopaminergic pathways — particularly in the basal ganglia, the brain region responsible for coordinating movement. This is why neurological evaluation is critical to properly understanding and treating RLS, rather than simply treating it as a muscle or circulation problem.
Can iron deficiency cause restless leg syndrome?
Yes — iron deficiency is one of the most well-established triggers of RLS. The brain needs iron to produce dopamine, and low ferritin (iron stores) can directly impair the dopaminergic signaling that controls movement. Many patients with RLS have ferritin levels within the “normal” lab range but below the optimal threshold for neurological function. A thorough iron panel is an important part of any RLS workup.
Why do my restless leg symptoms get worse at night?
RLS symptoms follow a circadian pattern, peaking in the evening and nighttime hours. This is linked to natural fluctuations in dopamine levels throughout the day — dopamine tends to be lower in the evening, which worsens RLS. Iron availability in the brain also follows a circadian rhythm. Additionally, the absence of activity during sleep removes the temporary relief that movement provides during the day.
Can restless leg syndrome be connected to other health conditions?
Absolutely. RLS is frequently associated with peripheral neuropathy, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, diabetes, kidney disease, pregnancy, anemia, and gut health issues that impair nutrient absorption. At Gates Brain Health, we investigate all of these potential connections rather than treating RLS in isolation.
What is the holistic approach to treating restless leg syndrome?
A holistic approach to RLS focuses on identifying and correcting the root causes driving symptoms. This may include optimizing iron and ferritin levels, supporting dopamine production with targeted nutrients, addressing gut health and absorption issues, correcting thyroid dysfunction, and using neuroplasticity-based strategies to support brain function. Dr. Gates develops individualized plans based on comprehensive testing rather than a one-size-fits-all protocol.
How do I get started with treatment at Gates Brain Health?
Start by scheduling a free consultation with Dr. Randall Gates at our Reno, NV office. During the consultation, you’ll discuss your symptoms and health history, and Dr. Gates will outline how he can help. You can call us at (775) 507-2000 or request an appointment online. We also work with distance patients via telemedicine.