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Traditional Chinese Medicine and treatments for RLS

Traditional Chinese medicine looks at disorders, such as Restless Leg Syndrome, through the pattern of symptoms. According to Chinese medicine, the excessive movement in persons legs are seen as an "internal wind," a condition that is related to a liver blood deficiency. In the traditional Chinese system, the strange sensations experienced by those with RLS, may correspond to the "numbnes"s pattern due to this blood deficiency.

With all this information Chinese medicine would involve boosting any deviancies and increasing blood circulation. The beginning treatment would include herbs such as Rehmannia and Cornus for liver and kidney health, as well as Millettia and Achyranthes used to nourish and vitalize blood, as well as directing blood flow to the lower body. In China, such deficiency syndromes would be treated with meat-like liver which is high in iron and folate.

In addition to traditional Chinese medicine involving herbs, Acupuncture is a medical technique used for unblocking energy (Chi) by placing needles at particular points on a person's body to balance the forces of "Yin and Yang." It is the belief that, Chi flows through the body along pathways referred to as meridians. A persons Chi flows freely when Yin and Yan are in harmony. When a person becomes sick or injured however, their Chi is obstructed. It is then that acupuncture is used along some 500 specific points where needles are to be inserted. The precise positioning of these needles affects the body, relieving symptoms and discomfort.

An important piece of information is that unlike other remedies or treatments. Traditional Chinese medicine is not part of any modern physiology, biochemistry, nutrition and anatomy. It is not based on any form of cell chemistry, blood circulation or nerve function. Medical therapy instead revolves around focusing on the parts of the body that are deficient, to treat this organ meats, such as liver, are eaten providing a natural boost in iron and folate concentration in the system.

Though RLS is not part of modern Chinese medical writings, some clinical trials have been done. According to one study, patients were given a formula that include Peony and Licorice, once combined properly, three additional herbs, Achyranthes, Salvia and Pueraria were added that would help in the vitalization of the blood circulation, as well as Chaenomeles used for spastic movement. The herb Pueraria, is a blood vitalizer application used only in the last 30 years, with good results. A second study, using the same treatment, excluding the herb Pueraria for 18 of the patients, brought about the similar results in that patients who took the full treatment were reported to have improved or no longer had RLS symptoms.

Modern findings support the ideas found in Chinese medicine when it comes to RLS, in the belief that there is a connection between RLS and brain metabolism defect - suggesting a deficiency in the kidney. (Chinese believe the brain is an "outgrowth" of the kidney) as well as a deficiency of the heart, which is believed to influence brain activities.