Acupuncture for restless leg syndrome
Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a common disorder affecting both men and women at night when asleep.
Symptoms of RLS include muscle aches, an urge to move the legs, leg pain, disturbed sleep, restless sleep and constant moving around.
People with RLS often have poor sleep which leads to a lack of energy and other health problems.
It is caused by tension in the leg muscles which breaks people's sleep pattern causing poor sleep and tiredness.
Often the person wants to keep on moving their legs to relieve the sensation.
Stretching before bed and practising yoga regularly can help to prevent restless leg syndrome.
Treatment for restless leg syndrome
Acupuncture treatment is good at relieving restless leg syndrome. It does this by removing tension in the muscles and regulating energy and blood flow.
Some people who suffer from RLS may have an iron deficiency, which is seen as a blood deficiency in Chinese medicine. Iron supplements, changes in diet and the taking of Chinese herbs can increase blood levels.
References
Park, Won-Hyung ; Cha, Yun-Yeop. Effect of Acupuncture and Massage on Iliopsoas Muscle in Patients with Restless Leg Syndrome : Case Report. Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation. Volume 23 Issue 2 / Pages.163-174 / 2013 / 1229-1854(pISSN) / 2288-4114(eISSN).
Shi Yili, Wang Yuemin. Observation on therapeutic effect of acupuncture pluss teaming-washing with Chinese herbs for treatment of 40 cases of restless legs syndrome. Chinese Acupuncture & Moxibustion, 2003-11.
Weidong Pan , Mingzhe Wang, Mao Li, Qiudong Wang, Shin Kwak, Wenfei Jiang, and Yoshiharu Yamamoto. Actigraph Evaluation of Acupuncture for Treating Restless Legs Syndrome. Volume 2015 |Article ID 343201, 7 pages, https://doi.org/10.1155/2015/343201.
Wu YH, Sun CL, Wu D, Huang YY, Chi CM. [Observation on therapeutic effect of acupuncture on restless legs syndrome]. Zhongguo Zhen Jiu. 2008 Jan;28(1) 27-29. PMID: 18257184.
Cripps, M. G. (2011). Acupuncture for Restless Legs Syndrome in Patients Previously Treated with Dopaminergic Drugs. Acupuncture in Medicine, 29(3), 240–241. https://doi.org/10.1136/acupmed-2011-010039.
ZHAO Wen, WANG Di-hua, YANG Rong-kun, ZHOU Hong. Comparison of therapeutic effects of acupoints selected along different meridians on restless legs syndrome. Chinese Acupuncture & Moxibustion, 2005-09.
