Question

What causes "dancing legs" syndrome, which causes insomnia? What can be done about it?

Answer

Your name for the syndrome - 'dancing legs' - is much more attractive than the medical one of 'restless legs'. It is also known as Ekbom's syndrome. The cause is unknown, and it produces an unpleasant aching in the muscles of the lower limbs when the person rests in a chair or is lying in bed. This aching is accompanied by a sense of intolerable restlessness, and can be accompanied by muscular cramps which interfere with sleep. Physical signs are normal, and most tests show that the muscle and the nerves are also normal. It is interesting that not only does the patient complain of their dancing legs, but so too do their partners, who are frequently kicked during the night.

There are some treatments which help, including chlorpromazine, diazepam, and phenytoin, but perhaps levadopa (used for Parkinson's disease) is even more effective.