Acupunture : Efficient Restless Leg Syndrome Treatment + RLS Overview

Restless leg syndrome (RLS) is a condition that results in an uncontrollable urge to move your legs, mainly due to an uncomfortable sensation. It commonly occurs in the evening or nighttime hours while you’re sitting or lying down. You may ease the unpleasant feeling by moving.

Also known as Willis-Ekbom disease, restless leg syndrome can occur at any age. The RLS symptoms often worsen over the years, leading to disrupted sleep and other issues that might interfere with your daily activities. Luckily, you can alleviate the signs of this issue by self-care steps, lifestyle changes, and alternative therapies.

Acupuncture for restless legs is considered one of the most efficient treatments for this problem. Acupuncture has numerous health benefits that can help you deal with restless leg syndrome. Regular sessions may ease discomfort and make you feel better. Acupuncture is often combined with other RLS treatment solutions to provide more efficient and long-lasting outcomes.

In the following article, you’ll learn more about restless leg syndrome, its symptoms, and the best treatment options to alleviate the discomfort you’re feeling due to RLS.

Makari Wellness – The Best Symptoms Treatment for Restless Leg Syndrome

Makari Wellness is a leading acupuncture and TCM clinic from San Diego, California. We offer the most efficient acupuncture for RLS combined with adequate herbal formulas to address your condition and general health.

We can determine the best RLS symptoms treatment based on your overall health and underlying condition that might be causing discomfort. Call us at (888) 871-8889 to book your initial RLS acupuncture appointment at a leading TCM clinic in San Diego, CA.

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Restless Leg Syndrome Overview

Most people with RLS feel an urge to move their legs, mostly due to the sense of discomfort. The most common RLS symptoms include:

  • Sensations that start after rest: The feeling often begins right after you’ve been sitting or lying down for extended periods of time. It includes traveling by car or plane or spending a couple of hours at a movie theater.
  • Relief with movement: The RLS signs lessen with the movement, including stretching, pacing, walking, or jiggling.
  • Worsening in the evening: The RLS symptoms tend to worsen in the evening or during nighttime.
  • Nighttime leg twitching: Most patients tend to twitch and kick their legs while they are sleeping.

People often describe these symptoms as abnormal, unpleasant sensations in their feet or legs.

Discomfort usually occurs on both sides of the body. It is commonly described as:

  • Crawling
  • Creeping
  • Pulling
  • Throbbing
  • Itching
  • Aching
  • Electric.

In most cases, patients find it difficult to describe the exact sensation they feel, but most of them agree that they feel an uncontrollable need to move their legs. Symptoms can vary from mild to severe and can disappear and come back from time to time.

Restless Leg Syndrome Causes

Very often, there is no exact cause of restless leg syndrome. Many researchers claim that this condition may be caused by an imbalance of dopamine, an essential brain chemical that sends messages to control muscle movement.

The two most common RLS causes are:

  • Heredity: RLS tends to run in families, especially if the condition starts before the age of 40.
  • Pregnancy: Pregnancy and hormonal changes may worsen RLS signs and symptoms. Some women may develop RLS for the first time during pregnancy, but the symptoms often disappear after delivery.

Restless leg syndrome often isn’t related to a severe condition, but it may accompany other diseases, including:

  • Peripheral neuropathy includes nerve damage in your hands and feet. It sometimes results from chronic diseases such as alcoholism or diabetes.
  • Iron deficiency may cause or worsen RLS.
  • Kidney failure may be associated with iron deficiency, causing or worsening the signs of RLS.
  • Spinal cord conditions might be linked to RLS. If you have had anesthesia to the spinal cord, you might be at risk of developing restless leg syndrome.

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What is the Best Treatment for Restless Leg Syndrome?

Many people with RLS symptoms avoid seeing a doctor or practitioner because they fear that their problem might not be taken seriously. However, you shouldn’t ignore any discomfort you might be feeling but seek adequate RLS treatment to ease your symptoms.

Apart from drug therapies that increase dopamine levels in the brain and sleep medications, you may opt for Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and its most common treatment methods – acupuncture and herbs.

Traditional Chinese medicine focuses on a holistic and drug-free approach to revitalize your body and establish general well-being. Acupuncture, herbs, and acupressure for restless leg syndrome are commonly used to address this medical condition. TCM delivers efficient results and long-lasting improvements to patients with neurological disorders and similar conditions. Western medicine cannot successfully treat.

Acupuncture for Restless Legs

Acupuncture originates from Traditional Chinese Medicine, and it has been widely used to address the most common RLS symptoms. It involves using small, thin, and stainless-steel needles to stimulate different acupoints on the patient’s body. Acupuncture works by encouraging blood circulation and energy flow, vital for establishing general well-being and easing discomfort.

Acupuncture is used to treat different conditions with a high level of efficiency. It is an entirely safe treatment without side effects or pharmaceuticals. It is painless and comfortable, and you will feel immediate relief and relaxation after the therapy.

According to TCM, restless leg syndrome is closely related to organ imbalances encompassing the liver, heart, and kidneys. Acupuncture for RLS involves balancing yin and yang, promoting blood circulation, revitalizing the spleen, and regulating vital channels in the body.

Acupuncture Points for RLS

The most commonly used acupuncture points for restless leg syndrome include:

  • Anmian
  • DU20 (Baihui)
  • GB20 (Fengchi)
  • HT7 (Shenmen)
  • KD3 (Taixi)
  • LV3 (Taichong)
  • PC6 (Neiguan)
  • REN17 (Shanzhong)
  • Sishenching
  • SP10 (Xuehai)
  • SP6 (Sanyinjiao)
  • ST36 (Zusanli).

Chinese Herbs as an Excellent Restless Leg Treatment

Herbal remedies are an incredibly efficient drug-free solution for the discomfort caused by restless leg syndrome. Herb-based formulas may help the kidneys and heart, which results in immediate relief of the uncomfortable sensations of RLS.

Herbal remedies often include the muscle-relaxing and nerve-toning plants. The nerve-toners involve milky oats, gotu kola, and ashwagandha. These herbs have been widely used to treat nervous deficiency, reducing the signs of restless leg syndrome. Muscle-relaxing herbs may improve the quality of your sleep. A licensed Chinese herbalist may recommend passionflower, valerian, and kava.

A Chinese herbalist will recommend the particular formula and the exact dosage you should follow. Although herbal remedies are generally safe and free of side effects, you shouldn’t take them without consulting your practitioner. Certain herbs may interfere with the medications you’re taking or are inadequate for your particular condition.

How to Stop Restless Legs with Acupuncture?

Certified acupuncturists apply mild and reducing techniques to ease your discomfort. Depending on your overall health and a particular condition, your practitioner may use different needling techniques and recommend the exact number of treatments you need to feel significant improvements.

Acupuncture is rarely used as a stand-alone treatment, but practitioners usually combine it with herbal therapies to boost the overall effect. The right herbal therapy delivers significant improvements, and it is one of the safest treatments for different kinds of conditions, including RLS.

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Natural Treatment for Restless Leg Syndrome

It’s vital to understand that lousy lifestyle habits may worsen the symptoms of RLS. By improving your practices and focusing on healthier choices, you may notice significant improvements in your condition.

Here are some of the most efficient restless legs natural remedies to help you ease the discomfort:

Improve Sleeping Habits

People with RLS may have trouble sleeping, which is why it’s essential to apply some tips that may help them sleep better during the night. For instance:

  • Go to sleep and wake up at the same times every day
  • Make sure your room is cool, quiet, and dark
  • Keep the TV and the phone to a minimum in your bedroom
  • Avoid electronic screens for 2 – 3 hours before you go to sleep.

Take Iron and Vitamin Supplements

Iron deficiency is commonly associated with restless leg syndrome, which is why your practitioner may suggest iron and vitamin supplements. You can check for iron deficiency and start taking oral supplements or intravenous (IV) iron.

Vitamin D supplement may also be necessary if you have RLS. In addition, you may also take C and E vitamins.

Exercise Regularly

Regular exercise can help you ease the RLS symptoms. Aerobic and lower body resistance training has proven to be the most effective for people with this particular condition, mostly when practiced 3 times per week.

Do Yoga and Stretching

Yoga and stretching are beneficial for people with restless leg syndrome. These exercises may improve your mood, reduce stress levels, and enhance sleeping habits.

Consider Massage

At-home massage may be beneficial to your condition. Swedish massage and direct pressure to your muscles may alleviate the discomfort by increasing the dopamine levels and improving blood circulation.