Restless Leg Syndrome

RLS Case Abstract

This Restless Leg Syndrome case study explores the therapeutic benefits of acupuncture in alleviating the debilitating pain associated with RLS in a 35-year-old woman. Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) is a neurological disorder characterized by an irresistible urge to move the legs, often accompanied by unpleasant sensations. The patient, Ms. A, experienced severe RLS symptoms that significantly disrupted her sleep, leading to a compromised quality of life. Traditional medical treatments, including Rotigotine (Neupro), pramipexole (Mirapex), and Ultram (tramadol), had provided only limited relief. Acupuncture was introduced as an alternative therapy, and the results were remarkable. Through a series of acupuncture sessions, Ms. A not only found relief from her RLS symptoms but also experienced improved sleep quality, ultimately enhancing her overall well-being.

What Is Restless Leg Syndrome?

Restless Leg Syndrome is a neurological disorder that affects five to ten percent of the adult population, causing an uncontrollable urge to move the legs, particularly during periods of inactivity or rest. This condition often leads to discomfort and disrupts sleep, significantly impacting the individual’s quality of life. Traditional medical treatments, including medications and lifestyle modifications, are commonly employed to manage RLS symptoms. However, in many cases, these interventions do not provide adequate relief.

Acupuncture for Restless Leg Syndrome

Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese medicine that has gained attention as a complementary and alternative therapeutic approach for numerous health conditions. In recent years, acupuncture has shown promise in alleviating symptoms associated with neurological disorders, including RLS. This Restless Leg Syndrome case study explores the impact of acupuncture on a 35-year-old woman, Ms. A, who struggled with severe RLS symptoms that profoundly affected her ability to sleep.

Restless Leg Case Presentation

Ms. A, a 35-year-old woman, presented with a history of RLS that had been progressively worsening over the past two years. She reported persistent sensations of tingling, crawling, and aching in her legs, particularly during the evening and night. These sensations were accompanied by an overwhelming urge to move her legs, making it challenging to sit or lie down for extended periods. Her symptoms were most severe during periods of rest, such as when watching television or attempting to sleep.

These symptoms had a significant impact on her sleep quality, resulting in chronic insomnia and daytime fatigue. Despite trying various conventional treatments, including medications prescribed by her primary care physician, Ms. A experienced only partial relief, and the side effects of the medications further compromised her overall well-being.

Restless Leg Syndrome Case Study

Given the limited success of conventional treatments, Ms. A expressed interest in exploring alternative therapies. Her doctor suggested she try acupuncture as a potential intervention to address her RLS symptoms and improve sleep quality. Acupuncture involves the insertion of thin needles into specific points on the body to stimulate energy flow and promote healing.

On the day of her first visit, a national board-certified, state-licensed acupuncturist thoroughly assessed Ms. A’s medical history, RLS symptoms, and overall health. The treatment plan focused on targeting meridians associated with the nervous system and addressing any underlying imbalances contributing to her symptoms.

RLS Protocol

At Raleigh Acupuncture, we have developed a unique and highly effective protocol for reducing RLS symptoms. Ms. A began a series of acupuncture sessions once a week for four weeks. The goal was to see if she responded positively to the treatments with lasting results. The acupuncturist strategically placed needles in points along the stomach, gallbladder, spleen, and liver meridians of the legs. In addition, they addressed the patient’s underlying liver/spleen organ imbalance with the acupoints ST36, LV3, LI4, and LI11. Finally, they added calming points Sishencong, Yintang, and auricular Shenmen.

Restless Leg Treatment Results

After just two acupuncture sessions, Ms. A reported a thirty percent decrease in her RLS symptoms. The sensations of tingling and aching in her legs diminished, and the overwhelming urge to move her legs became less frequent and intense. Additionally, she observed a gradual improvement in her ability to relax and fall asleep.

After two more sessions, her improvement increased to forty percent. She decided to receive four more weeks of treatment, once a week, and see if she could improve even more. After eight total sessions, she was seventy percent better. This was the best she had felt since the RLS symptoms began.

Follow-Up Assessment

At the end of the eight weeks, Ms. A reported a significant transformation in her quality of life. The severity and frequency of her RLS symptoms had decreased to the point where she could enjoy extended periods of rest without the constant urge to move her legs. Most notably, her sleep quality had improved dramatically, and she achieved restorative, uninterrupted sleep.

Ms. A also reported feeling more energized during the day, with a noticeable reduction in daytime fatigue. She expressed a sense of overall well-being that extended beyond the resolution of her RLS symptoms. Encouraged by these positive outcomes, Ms. A continued with monthly maintenance acupuncture sessions to sustain the improvements and address occasional flare-ups.

Case Discussion

This Restless Leg Syndrome case study highlights the efficacy of acupuncture as a complementary intervention for individuals suffering from RLS. The positive outcomes observed in Ms. A’s case suggest that acupuncture can play a valuable role in managing and alleviating RLS symptoms.

Acupuncture’s holistic approach, focusing on opening channels, quieting nerves, and balancing energy within the body, effectively addresses underlying imbalances contributing to RLS. Additionally, acupuncture’s ability to promote relaxation and reduce stress is critical in improving sleep quality for individuals with RLS.

Case Study Conclusion

In this Restless Leg Syndrome case study, acupuncture emerged as a promising and effective intervention for a 35-year-old woman struggling with severe RLS. The positive outcomes observed, including a significant reduction in RLS symptoms and improved sleep quality, underscore the potential of acupuncture as a complementary approach to managing this challenging neurological disorder.

While individual responses to acupuncture may vary, this case study suggests that acupuncture can be considered as part of a comprehensive treatment plan for individuals with RLS, especially for those who have not found sufficient relief from conventional therapies. Further research and more extensive clinical trials are warranted to better understand the mechanisms of acupuncture in addressing RLS and to establish its place in mainstream treatment protocols.

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This RLS acupuncture case study involves a 65-year-old man who had been struggling with restless leg syndrome for years. He came to his first treatment armed with a research study he had found on the internet detailing how acupuncture had helped relieve RLS symptoms. As this post will describe, acupuncture has been able to ease his RLS significantly.

RLS – A Disabling Condition

Restless leg syndrome, for this patient, as for many others, causes severe feelings of leg restlessness in the evenings. Typically by 8:00 p.m. his legs would feel agitated and “restless”. Walking around helped to ease the sensation. But as soon as he lay down to sleep, the feeling became stronger, making sleep impossible.

Over the years, our patient had relied on prescription medications to cope with his RLS, with limited success. He used tramadol to reduce the severity of leg sensations, and sleep medications to help him fall and stay asleep. In addition, he wrapped his legs in ace bandages. Putting pressure on his legs helped ease the discomfort. Even with all of this intervention, he still only got about three to four hours of sleep a night.

The Acupuncture Solution for RLS

Our patient in this RLS acupuncture case study had come across a research study from Iran outlining a combination of acupuncture points that got good results in reducing the debilitating symptoms of restless leg syndrome. He asked if we would be open to trying the protocol described in the study. After reading the report we agreed to give it a try.

From the very start we noticed that certain acupuncture points used in the study produced good results, while others seemed less helpful. As is the case with most acupuncture, it is specific to the patient. In other words, acupuncture treatments work best when they are customized to the individual patient and their particular needs.

This concept, called pattern diagnosis, is applied by learning about the patient’s specific imbalances, and then selecting acupuncture points to correct those imbalances. We elicit this information by asking questions about the patient’s health (sleep, emotions, digestion, respiration, etc) and by feeling the pulse and examining the tongue. The acupuncture points that worked for our patient in this RLS acupuncture case study lined up with his overall pattern diagnosis, and we continued to use them.

In addition, we added other groups of points (some local to the areas of discomfort and some distal), all the while monitoring his progress. Over the course of three months we came up with a treatment protocol that had effectively reduced his RLS symptoms by 50%. Our patient was very pleased with this progress.

RLS Acupuncture Case Study

There is no current cure for RLS. Acupuncture has been able to provide significant relief for our patient. And he has continued to explore other therapies to add to his toolbox of treatment. He now gets more and better quality sleep at night and is able to reduce the amount of prescription medications he takes.

If you struggle with RLS, try acupuncture. Give the treatment a few months. You need to try different point combinations to see what will work best for you. Our successful treatment protocol in this RLS acupuncture case study did not manifest instantly on the first try. We started with a solid research study, and then modified the plan based on how our patient responded.

When it comes to treating complex conditions like RLS, acupuncture functions as both an art and a medicine, a health program designed and implemented to fit the specific needs of an individual. Sometimes one solution fits many problems. Other times a solution needs to be custom made. RLS seems to be one such condition. Luckily, acupuncture is up to the task.

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Restless Leg Syndrome Relief

Have questions about this RLS acupuncture case study? Feel free to email or text us. We look forward to treating you.

A 2015 RLS acupuncture research study concluded that acupuncture and Chinese herbs alleviated restless leg syndrome (RLS). Researchers tested two forms of treatments and the findings indicated that acupuncture combined with herbal medicine was both safe and effective for the treatment of RLS. The total effective rate for acupuncture and herbs was 95.24%.

Restless Leg Syndrome

Restless leg syndrome is generally characterized by a physically intense need to move the legs. The symptoms are typically worse at night and improve with movement. The leg sensations characteristic of RLS include aching, pulling, itching, and crawling.

The cause of RLS is often considered unknown in Western medicine. However, several aggravating factors are recognized. Iron deficiency is common among RLS patients and is correlated with restless leg syndrome. Peripheral neuropathy, diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, and kidney diseases are also correlated with RLS. Likewise, pregnancy induced RLS typically occurs in the third trimester and resolves approximately one month after delivery.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) typically categorizes RLS as an imbalance of the liver, heart, and/or kidneys. Treatment principles including balancing yin and yang, promoting qi and blood circulation, nourishing the spleen, dredging the triple warmer meridian, and regulating the governor and conception vessels (channels that run along the front and back of the torso).

Acupuncture Points Used

The following acupuncture points were used in this RLS acupuncture research study:

Baihui, DU20
Sishenchong
Fengchi, GB20
Anmian
Shanzhong, REN17
Shenmen, HT7
Neiguan, PC6
Xuehai, SP10
Zusanli, ST36
Sanyinjiao, SP6
Taixi, KD3
Taichong, LV3

Stimulation was applied on needle insertion to elicit deqi. That means the patient felt a gentle “achy” sensation that lasted just a moment. This technique has been used for thousands of years to make the treatment more effective. Needles were retained approximately forty minutes per session. Ten acupuncture treatments were given to all participants.

Chinese Herbal Medicine Used

Herbal medicine was also given to the RLS acupuncture research study participants. The herbal formula was based on Jia Wei Xiao Yao Tang and additional herbs were added based on diagnostics. The base formula included:

Mu Dan Pi
Zhi Zi
Fu Ling
Bai Zhu
Dang Gui
Bai Shao Yao
Bo He
Gou Qi Zi
Ju Hua
Shu Di Huang
Shan Yao
Shan Zhu Yu
Ze Xie
Bai Ji Li
Zhen Zhu Me
Gui Ban
Quan Xie
Zhi Me
He Huan Pi
He Shou Wu

Additional herbs were added to address two variables. For patients with loose stool, Chen Pi and Bai Bian Dou were added. For patients with more constipated bowel movements, herbs were added and subtracted from the formula. Gou Qi Zi, Shan Yao, and Shan Zhu Yu were replaced with Che Qian Zi, Huang Lian, and Mu Xiang.

Results

The high total effective rate of 95.24% for acupuncture plus herbal medicine indicates that this approach is effective for patients with RLS.

Next Steps

Raleigh Acupuncture has developed its own effective treatment protocol for treating restless leg syndrome. It builds on the research found in this RLS acupuncture research study, in addition to other studies and 15 years of their own clinical experience treating RLS patients.

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References

Qin HJ. (2014). Eye acupuncture and combined acupuncture and medicine in the treatment of 23 patients with restless legs syndrome. World Latest Medicine Information. 14(36).

Wang XD. (2006). Restless legs syndrome categorization, diagnosis and treatment. Chinese Journal of Geriatrics. 25(7): 488-490.

RLS Acupuncture Research Study

Another important research study showing acupuncture benefit for RLS was conducted in 2017 in Iran. READ STUDY HERE.

The Raleigh Acupuncture restless leg syndrome treatment reduces agitation and nerve pain in the legs and improves sleep. In addition, acupuncture enhances the effects of Western medications, improving patient responses to Trazadone.

Raleigh Acupuncture Restless Leg Syndrome Treatment

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What is RLS?

Restless leg syndrome (RLS) is a condition a person’s legs feel agitated when they are not moving. The symptoms are worse at night when lying in bed. RLS is debilitating, making it nearly impossible to relax or sleep. Medications are available, but they are often ineffective and can have adverse side effects.

Acupuncture Relieves RLS

Acupuncture treats RLS in two ways. First, it opens the channels of the legs to improve Qi and blood circulation. Opening the channels also calms the nerves in the legs. Second, acupuncture identifies and restores balance to the internal organs. Organ imbalance can trigger RLS. Once corrected, the legs will not feel as jittery.

Acupuncture Opens Blocked Channels

There are Qi (energy) pathways running throughout our bodies. They are similar to nerve pathways and often run parallel to the nerves. But they are distinct from nerves. Think of channels as roads enabling Qi to flow through the body. Qi keeps us alive. It is responsible for circulating the blood and nourishing the organs.

When channels are blocked, Qi cannot flow. Qi stagnation causes pain, discomfort, and disease. Almost all pain in the body is due to Qi stagnation in the channels. Just as an accident on the highway slows traffic, Qi stagnation in the channels creates disharmony in the body leading to pain.

Restless leg syndrome is discomfort associated with Qi stagnation in the channels of the legs. Acupuncture restores proper Qi flow. When it does, the sensations of RLS are relieved.

Restoring Proper Organ Function

If we had perfect health, our internal organs would function perfectly. But unfortunately, our declining health is directly related to problems with our organ function as we age. The Raleigh Acupuncture restless leg syndrome treatment identifies your specific internal imbalances by looking at signs and symptoms. Our assessment includes your leg discomfort and your sleep patterns, digestion, and emotional state.

This information allows us to create a treatment plan to correct your unique internal imbalances. By restoring inner balance, we treat your RLS from the inside out. In conjunction with opening the channels, it provides deep, long-lasting relief.

What To Expect

When you come for treatment, we conduct an intake exam. You will then receive your first treatment. Patients always get a complete acupuncture treatment on their first visit. All needles are sterile, single-use, and hair-thin. The treatments themselves are relaxing – many of our patients fall asleep during their sessions.

Recent RLS Case

A 57-year-old woman came to our clinic complaining of restless leg syndrome in her lower legs that worsened when she lay down in bed at night. The only thing that brought her relief was to walk around until the agitation settled. She was taking Trazadone, but it was not helping.

Her intake exam revealed a pattern imbalance of Kidney Yin Deficiency with Empty Heat – her tongue was red (as opposed to pink, and her pulse was thin. In addition, she had night sweats, frequently woke during the night, had a dry mouth, and felt irritable most of the time. Our treatment focused on opening the blocked channels in her lower legs and nourishing her Kidney Yin.

After four treatments (once a week), she could feel a 20 percent improvement in her RLS. Furthermore, she no longer had night sweats and was sleeping better. So we dropped treatments to once every two weeks, and she continued acupuncture for another eight sessions, at which point her RLS was 60 percent improved – much less leg pain and significantly improved sleep quality.

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Acupuncture Research and Case Studies

RLS Acupuncture Research Study.

RLS Acupuncture Case Study.