RLS & Other Leg Treatments

The crawling, creeping sensation in your legs that flares up the moment you sit down to relax. The aching and heaviness that builds as the day goes on. The leg cramps that pull you out of sleep in the middle of the night. These symptoms disrupt daily life, steal sleep, and wear on your patience, especially when you have been told there is not much that can be done about them. 

Here is what many people do not know: a significant number of these leg symptoms, including restless legs syndrome and RLS symptoms, are directly caused by treatable vein disease. At Miller Vein, our board-certified vein specialists evaluate the venous system first, before reaching for medications or other interventions, because treating the root cause is the most effective path to lasting relief. 

You can learn more about restless legs syndrome on our condition overview page.

RLS Symptoms: Recognizing the Symptoms of Restless Leg Syndrome 

RLS symptoms follow a recognizable pattern that sets them apart from other types of leg discomfort. If any of the following sound familiar, it may be time to get your veins evaluated. 

Related care such as treating chronic venous insufficiency may also be recommended.

Urge to Move

An uncontrollable urge to move the legs, particularly when sitting or lying down. This urge is the defining feature of RLS and is what classifies it as a movement disorder. Patients often describe feeling unable to hold their legs still, even when they are physically exhausted. 

You can verify your insurance coverage before your first visit — most medically necessary vein care is covered.

Uncomfortable Sensations

Uncomfortable sensations in the legs that are difficult to describe but frequently reported as crawling, creeping, tingling, aching, itching, or throbbing beneath the skin. These sensations are not quite pain but are deeply unpleasant and difficult to ignore. They occur inside the leg rather than on the surface. 

Worsening Symptoms

Symptoms that worsen during rest or inactivity. RLS characteristically flares when the body is still, particularly in the evening and at night, when sitting or lying down to relax. This timing is what makes RLS so disruptive to sleep and end-of-day rest. 

Temporary Relief

Walking, stretching, or simply shifting the position of the legs provides partial and temporary relief from the discomfort. The relief stops as soon as movement stops, which creates a frustrating cycle of restlessness that prevents sustained rest or sleep. 

Symptom Timing

Symptoms that are worse in the evening and at night. While some people with RLS experience symptoms throughout the day, the condition follows a circadian pattern with a clear worsening in the hours before and during sleep. This is one of the most disruptive aspects of the condition and a major driver of sleep deprivation and daytime fatigue. 

Experiencing Other Related Symptoms

Associated leg symptoms that may accompany RLS, including aching, heaviness, or swelling in the legs that persists beyond the RLS episodes themselves. When these symptoms are present alongside RLS, underlying venous insufficiency is especially worth investigating, as they often reflect the same vascular problem driving the restlessness. 

Sleep Disruption

Sleep disruption and daytime fatigue as secondary consequences of chronic RLS. Patients who cannot achieve restful sleep due to nightly RLS symptoms frequently develop significant daytime fatigue, difficulty concentrating, mood changes, and reduced quality of life. These downstream effects can be as debilitating as the leg symptoms themselves. 

Patient Stories to
Legs Like New®

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I was extremely happy with my results. I was treated with Sclerotherapy. Before and after pictures are incredible! I was very self-conscious about how my legs looked and always wore long capris in the summer to cover them. I wish I had done this sooner. The staff was very professional, friendly, and knowledgeable. They made me feel very comfortable.

— Diane D.

The front desk personnel were very professional and welcoming. I was seen by one of the most welcoming and patient ultrasound technicians. She was very pleasant and informative. She explained every step and made me feel comfortable throughout the exam. The doctor is the reason the office is so calm and welcoming. The doctor was informative as she explained the diagnosis and plan of care needed. I would definitely refer someone in need of their services.

— Brenda F.

Very friendly staff and very thorough. They explained everything as they went through the different steps during the appointment. I felt very at ease here. I am very happy I chose them.

— Angela H.

The staff is so friendly. They explain well before they do anything. Dr Miller is awesome. Explains treatment and plan of care in detail. Answers all questions thoroughly. Had a very good consultation.
Highly recommend.

— Barb F.

Treating Leg Symptoms Beyond RLS 

CVI-related venous reflux produces a wide range of leg symptoms beyond restless legs. Many patients who come to Miller Vein with a primary complaint of RLS also have several of the following symptoms, all of which are driven by the same underlying venous disease and improve with the same treatment. 

Leg Heaviness and Fatigue 

A persistent sense of heaviness or weighted legs, often described as legs that tire far more quickly than they should, is one of the most consistent early symptoms of CVI. Treating the underlying reflux reduces venous pressure in the lower leg, and most patients notice significant improvement in heaviness and fatigue within the first few weeks following treatment. 

Leg Aching and Pain 

A dull, deep ache or throbbing pain that intensifies after prolonged standing or sitting and improves with elevation is a classic presentation of CVI. Once venous reflux is corrected and blood flow is rerouted through healthy vessels, the pressure-driven aching that characterizes CVI resolves or improves substantially for the majority of patients. 

Swelling and Edema 

Swelling in the lower legs, ankles, and feet that builds throughout the day and partially resolves overnight is a direct result of venous hypertension and the fluid accumulation it drives. Treating the venous reflux reduces this pressure, and compression therapy used alongside procedural treatment helps manage edema during recovery and long-term. 

Leg Cramping 

Night cramps and cramps after prolonged inactivity are frequently linked to poor venous circulation. When blood flow is impaired, the muscles of the lower leg may not receive adequate oxygen and nutrients, leading to painful and often sleep-disrupting muscle contractions. These typically improve following successful treatment as circulation normalizes. 

Itching, Burning, and Tingling 

Inflammation in and around the affected veins can produce itching, burning, and pins-and-needles sensations in the lower legs. These symptoms overlap significantly with peripheral neuropathy, which is why CVI is frequently missed in patients with a neuropathy diagnosis.

Venous disease can also produce itching, burning, and pins-and-needles sensations in the lower legs. Because these overlap with the symptoms of peripheral neuropathy, venous insufficiency can be overlooked in patients who already carry a neuropathy diagnosis. Early research suggests that some patients with both conditions report improvement in their neuropathy-type symptoms after endovenous ablation, though the studies to date are small and the results are patient-reported. 

Our Restless Leg
Treatment Options

When venous insufficiency is identified as the cause of your leg symptoms, the goal of treatment is to correct the faulty vein valves driving the problem and restore healthy blood flow through the leg. At Miller Vein, all our RLS treatments are minimally invasive, performed entirely in the office under local anesthesia, and require no downtime. Our treatment options include: 

Endovenous Thermal Ablation VenaSeal  Varithena Ultrasound-Guided Foam Sclerotherapy

Endovenous Thermal Ablation VenaSeal  Varithena Ultrasound-Guided Foam Sclerotherapy

Endovenous Thermal Ablation 

Thermal ablation is the primary treatment for venous reflux in the great saphenous or small saphenous vein, the most common sources that drive leg symptoms. During treatment, a thin catheter is inserted into the affected vein under ultrasound guidance and delivers controlled heat energy that causes the vein wall to seal shut. Once closed, the vein is gradually reabsorbed by the body, and blood reroutes naturally through healthier surrounding vessels, helping to relieve symptoms. 

Miller Vein offers two forms of thermal ablation. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) uses the ClosureFast catheter to deliver segmental, precisely controlled radiofrequency energy along the vein. Endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) uses laser energy to achieve the same result. Both are highly effective, and your specialist will recommend the most appropriate option based on your venous anatomy. Most thermal ablation procedures are completed in under an hour, and patients walk out and resume light activity the same day.

VenaSeal 

VenaSeal is a non-thermal treatment that closes the affected vein using a specially formulated medical adhesive delivered through a small catheter under ultrasound guidance. Because it does not use heat, VenaSeal requires fewer anesthetic injections than thermal ablation and is often more comfortable during the procedure.

VenaSeal

Varithena 

Varithena is an FDA-approved injectable foam sclerotherapy designed specifically for treating varicose veins and venous reflux. The foam medication is delivered into the affected vein under ultrasound guidance, displaces blood within the vessel, and causes it to close. Varithena is particularly effective for veins with complex or tortuous anatomy that are not ideal candidates for catheter-based ablation, and for treating residual or recurrent varicose veins following prior treatment.

Ultrasound-Guided Foam Sclerotherapy 

For varicose and reticular veins beneath the skin’s surface that are contributing to venous hypertension and leg symptoms, ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy allows precise, targeted treatment of vessels that are not visible from the outside. A medicated foam solution is injected directly into the affected vein under real-time ultrasound visualization, causing it to close and fade. This technique is particularly useful for addressing the network of secondary veins connected to a primary reflux source.

Sclerotherapy

What to Expect After Treatment 

One of the most common questions patients ask before their procedure is how quickly they will feel better. The honest answer is that it varies, but most patients are pleasantly surprised by how soon meaningful improvement begins. 

Immediately after the procedure, you walk out of the clinic and return to light activities the same day. We ask that you wear your compression stockings consistently and avoid strenuous exercise for a short period. Some bruising, mild soreness, or a feeling of tightness along the treated vein are normal and resolve within one to two weeks. 

Symptom improvement typically begins within the first two to four weeks as treated veins close and blood flow is rerouted through healthy vessels. For RLS specifically, many patients notice improvement in the first several weeks following treatment. Heaviness, swelling, and aching often improve even sooner. Full results develop over two to three months as the body completes the process of reabsorbing closed veins. 

Follow-up appointments are an important part of the process. We schedule post-procedure visits to assess how treated veins are responding, monitor for any residual reflux that may benefit from additional treatment, and ensure that your symptoms are improving as expected. 

Leg Symptom Treatment Locations Across Michigan 

Miller Vein offers expert evaluation and treatment for restless legs syndrome and all CVI-related leg symptoms at eight convenient locations throughout Michigan. We see patients at: 

• Auburn Hills 
• Dearborn 
• Grand Rapids 
• Holland 
• Macomb 
• Novi 
• St. Clair Shores 
• Troy 

Our clinics are open Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM to 5:30 PM. 

Schedule a Consultation 

Restless legs, chronic aching, swelling, and cramping are not simply the price of getting older or working long days. For many people, they are the symptoms of a treatable vein condition that has never been properly evaluated. A duplex ultrasound at Miller Vein can determine whether venous insufficiency is driving your symptoms and put you on a clear path toward relief. 

Call our office or message us via our online contact form to schedule your consultation today. 

Board-Certified Specialists That Practice with Care

Our Dedicated Team

Dr. Rana Burek, DO

Jeffrey H. Miller, MD

Jennifer Malicke, DO

Krista M. Bannon, MD

Madeline Paquette, DNP

Michael E. Lulenski, MD

Robin Doak, CLT

Steven K. Wang, MD