Doctor: Is leg shaking a defect or a disease?

Specialist Doctor 2 Huynh Tan Vu, Day Treatment Unit, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City - Facility 3 said that shaking legs can be an unconscious habit, an emotional self-regulation mechanism, but can also be a manifestation of an underlying disease.

Disability or physiological habit?

Dr. Vu said that many people shake their legs when they are waiting, working, talking, or sitting alone. This is an unconscious, often unintentional gesture that helps them feel more comfortable, relieve stress, or stay focused.

Leg shaking can be an unconscious habit but can also be a manifestation of an underlying medical condition.

PHOTO: LE CAM

“The brain that controls movement and cognitive thinking has overlapping areas, so shaking the legs sometimes helps people think better or maintain focus in stressful situations,” Dr. Vu analyzed.

This behavior is also seen in people who hate sitting still, people with attention deficit disorder or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Leg shaking when bored is considered a reflex that helps create a small stimulation, calming the mind.

When is leg shaking a sign of illness?

Not everyone who shakes their legs is just doing it out of habit. Dr. Vu warns that uncontrolled leg shaking can be a sign of neurological disorders such as Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS), Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, or hyperthyroidism. People with RLS often feel tingling, prickling, or restlessness in their legs, especially at night, making it difficult to sit still or sleep well.

In addition, the habit of shaking legs for a long time can also cause joint damage, muscle fatigue, nerve pain and increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. A study at Harvard Medical School showed that people with Restless Leg Syndrome can shake their legs up to 300 times a night, causing increased blood pressure and heart rate - leading risk factors for heart attack.

How to overcome leg shaking?

Change your body posture: According to Dr. Vu, adjusting your leg shaking habit should start with recognizing the cause. If it is due to stress, try changing your sitting position, practicing deep breathing, doing yoga, or finding interesting activities to reduce boredom.

Try changing your sitting position, practicing deep breathing, doing yoga, or finding fun activities to relieve boredom.

Photo: AI

Try something new: If you often find yourself tapping your feet out of boredom, look for new stimulation. For some situations, taking notes, scribbling on paper, or even composing a song or poem can be enjoyable activities. In some cases, you may find it helpful to distract yourself from boredom by chewing gum or sucking on a mint. Small toys can be kept in your hands or under the table to help you stay quiet and achieve mental stillness.

Talking about emotions : Ask yourself, what might you be worried about if you shake your leg when you’re nervous? What is making you most anxious right now? Once you’ve identified the triggers for your movements, you can start teaching your body to react differently when those triggers come into play. This can be challenging and time-consuming at times, but it can be done. The trick is to prepare in advance and practice in less stressful situations, and over time you’ll be able to better control your movements in stressful situations.

Get enough sleep: Your body will naturally lose energy and motivation if you don’t get enough sleep at night. Leg shaking can be caused by the excitement and anxiety this causes. Consider sleeping in for an extra hour or two and see how it goes.

"Leg shaking is not just a small gesture of habit or personality. It can be a whisper from the body about a psychological state, a hidden worry, or even a pathological symptom that needs intervention. Control your legs before that small habit greatly affects your health and life. If you feel that leg shaking is becoming more frequent and difficult to control, do not hesitate to see a doctor for timely advice and support," Dr. Vu recommends.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/bac-si-rung-chan-la-tat-hay-benh-ly-185250520002023039.htm