Restless Leg Syndrome

Paul Mattina in Knoxville, Tennessee, writes:

My wife read that putting a bar of soap under your bed’s bottom sheet would stop Restless Leg Syndrome. I tried it, and it definitely worked. But why? By the way, when she told me about this “cure,” I thought she and the person who posted it were both nuts. But to humor her, I tried it, and much to my surprise (and, I think, hers too), it did the trick. I can’t imagine why.

Marilyn responds:

My guesses range from the placebo effect to the sleeper being slightly more relaxed due to the addition of a bit of fragrance to the bed. If the former is the case, the good result won’t last long. (Placebo effects are typically temporary.) But if the latter is the case, maybe it would help some sleepers who have the symptoms to only a minor extent. No way is a bar of soap going to stop serious RLS. Anyway, if such a modest and inexpensive treatment works for you, who cares? Go for it!