What Is Acupuncture Good For?: Restless Leg Syndrome

Are you experiencing tingling sensations in the legs and

arms while sitting or lying down, especially at bedtime?

What is RLS?

RLS is a condition distinguished by tingling sensations in the legs, and sometimes the arms, while sitting or lying still, especially at bedtime. The person with RLS needs to constantly stretch or move the legs to try to relieve these uncomfortable or painful symptoms. As a result, he or she has difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep and usually feels extremely sleepy and unable to function fully during the day.

People who have RLS describe the unpleasant feelings in their legs as creeping, crawling, or pulling sensations, as well as itching, tingling, burning, aching, or similar to an electric shock sensation. RLS sufferers further report that the urge to move and other unpleasant feelings mostly occur when they are resting or are inactive. Consequently, symptoms tend to be worse in the evening and are temporarily relieved in the morning. RLS can make it hard to fall asleep and stay asleep, and, therefore, may make you feel tired and sleepy during the day. This can make it hard to learn, work, and to even do your normal routine. Furthermore, not getting enough sleep can also cause depression, mood swings, and other health problems.

Causes of RLS

One type of RLS usually starts early in life (before age 45) and tends to run in families. Once this type of RLS starts, it usually lasts for the rest of your life. Over time, symptoms slowly get worse and occur more often. Another type of RLS usually starts later in life (after age 45) and generally doesn’t run in families. This type tends to have a more abrupt onset, with the symptoms usually not getting worse with age.

Natural conditions such as pregnancy, due to a common problem of a simple iron deficiency, may also trigger RLS. Additionally, some diseases and the medications you may be taking for them may also result in RLS symptoms. For example, RLS has been associated with kidney failure, Parkinson’s disease, diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis.

Research presented at the Association of Professional Sleep Societies conference has linked iron deficiency to causing the onset of RLS. Another factor related to RLS is stress. Stress is not simply a mental problem. It directly affects hormones released by the adrenal glands. The adrenal gland secrete hormones that affect the heart, digestion, weight, the balance of women’s hormones, and also your sleep.

How can it be cured?

Research points to 3 specific solutions to Restless Leg Syndrome:

1. Handling the nutritional deficiencies

2. Resolving any physical stress-related factors affecting your health

3. Removing any blockages for proper circulation of blood to organs & tissue.

Also, when a condition, disease or medicine triggers RLS, the symptoms usually start suddenly. The disorder may go away if the trigger is relieved or stopped. Although considered incurable through medication, this problem has responded favorably to the following methods:

First, check any medications you may be taking for other health problems, as these may actually be causing this condition.

Drugs found to cause RLS include: Anti-nausea medicines, Antidepressants, Antipsychotics (used to treat certain mental health disorders), Cold and allergy medicines that contain antihistamines, and, Calcium channel blockers (used to treat heart problems and high blood pressure). Warning: Do not stop taking any medications without consulting your medical doctor first.

Research has found that there is a connection in RLS patients with low back pain, spinal cord injury & nerve problems. Acupuncture treatment has proved effective in treating this condition.

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