Method of alleviating symptoms of restless legs syndrome

Abstract

A method of alleviating symptoms of restless legs syndrome, includes (a) fitting an apparatus to a leg of a person afflicted with the symptoms of restless legs syndrome during a period rest, where the apparatus includes means for retarding movement of a foot of the leg of the person as the foot moves from a first position towards a second position; and (b) before the period of rest, alternately moving the foot between the first position and the second position, where the apparatus retards movement of the foot as the foot moves from the first position towards the second position.

1 . A method of alleviating symptoms of restless legs syndrome, comprising the steps of: 
 (a) fitting an apparatus to a leg of a person afflicted with the symptoms of restless legs syndrome during a period rest, where the apparatus includes means for retarding movement of a foot of said leg of the person as the foot moves from a first position towards a second position; and    (b) before said period of rest, alternately moving the foot between the first position and the second position, where the apparatus retards movement of the foot as the foot moves from the first position towards the second position.    
   
   
       2 . The method claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the means for retarding is an endless loop being at least partially elastically deformable, and said step of fitting includes the step of arranging the loop to underly engage the foot of said leg and overly engage a knee of said leg.  
   
   
       3 . The method claimed in  claim 2 , wherein said step of alternately moving the foot includes the step of alternately pivoting the foot between the first position and the second position about an ankle joint of said foot.  
   
   
       4 . The method claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the apparatus includes a strap coupled between first and second sections of the loop so as to extend around an Achilles tendon of the leg to thereby substantially prevent movement of the portion of the loop that is arrangable to underly engage the foot as the foot moves from the first position towards the second position.  
   
   
       5 . The method claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the strap includes first and second straps coupled between the first and second sections of the loop, the straps being positionable for mutual engagement around a lower portion of the leg of the user.  
   
   
       6 . The method claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the first and second straps include corresponding hook and Velcro portions positionable for mutual engagement.  
   
   
       7 . The method claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the strap is at least partially elastically deformable.  
   
   
       8 . The method claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the strap is adjustable so as to change the size of the means for retarding.  
   
   
       9 . The method claimed in  claim 2 , wherein a length of the loop is adjustable so as to change the size of the loop.  
   
   
       10 . The method claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the peripheral length of the loop corresponds to the degree to retarding effected by the means for retarding.  
   
   
       11 . The method claimed in  claim 2 , including means being arrangable to underly engage the knee for substantially preventing movement of a portion of the apparatus with respect to said knee.  
   
   
       12 . The method claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the portion of the means for retarding that is arrangable to overly engage the knee includes a surface that at least partially reduces the ease with which said portion moves with respect to the knee during use of the apparatus.  
   
   
       13 . The method claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the means being arrangable to underly engage the knee includes a surface that at least partially reduces the ease with which said means moves with respect to the knee during use of the apparatus.  
   
   
       14 . A method of alleviating symptoms of restless legs syndrome, comprising the step of administering to a person, afflicted with the symptoms of restless legs syndrome during a period rest, an apparatus including means for engaging the foot of one leg of a user of the apparatus, wherein the means for engaging is adapted to retard movement of the foot as the foot moves from a first position towards a second position.