Acupuncture and herbs alleviate restless leg syndrome (RLS). Researchers tested two forms of treatments and the findings indicate that acupuncture combined with herbal medicine is both safe and effective for the treatment of RLS. The total effective rate for acupuncture plus herbs was 95.24%. RLS anatomy
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) principles, RLS is closely related to Zang-Fu organ imbalances, especially in the liver, heart, and kidneys. Treatment principles including balancing yin and yang, promoting qi and blood circulation, nourishing the spleen, dredging the sanjiao meridian, and regulating the du and ren channels. Two forms of acupuncture were tested for efficacy: body style acupuncture, eye region acupuncture. Both forms of acupuncture proved effective. The body style acupuncture included needling of the following acupoints:
Baihui (DU20), Sishenchong, extra, Fengchi (GB2), Anmian, extra, Shanzhong (REN17), Shenmen (HT 7), Neiguan (PC6), Xuehai (SP10), Zusanli (ST 36), Sanyinjiao (SP6), Taixi (KI3), Taichong (LR 3)
Mild reinforcing and reducing techniques were applied to acupuncture needles of 0.5 to 1.0 inches in length. Stimulation was applied to elicit deqi. Needle retention time was forty minutes per acupuncture session. Ten acupuncture treatments were applied to each participant in a period between ten and twenty days. Eye region acupuncture was applied to the following eye micro-acupuncture points: xiaojiao, liver, kidney, heart. The same frequency of treatment and session duration applied to the eye micro-acupuncture protocol of care.
ST36, Zusanli, for RLS. Herbal medicine was given to participants receiving either type of acupuncture. The herbal formula was based on Jia Wei Xiao Yao Tang and additional herbs were added based on diagnostics. The base formula included:
Cortex Radicis (Mudanpi), Fructus Gardeniae (Zhizi), Poria (Fuling), Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae (Baizhu), Radix Angelicae Sinensis (Danggui), Radix Paeoniae Alba (Baishaoyao), Herba Menthae (Bohe), Fructus Lycii (Gouqizi), Flos Chrysanthemi (Juhua), Radix Rehmanniae Praeparata (Shudihuang), Rhizoma Dioscoreae (Shanyao), Fructus Corni (Shanzhuyu), Rhizoma Alismatis (Zexie), Radix Morindae Officinalis (Bajitian), Concha Margaritifera (Zhenzhumu), Chinemys reevesii (Guiban), Scorpion (Quanxie), Rhizoma Anemarrhenae (Zhimu), Cortex Albiziae (Hehuanpi), Radix Polygoni Multiflori (Heshouwu)
Additional herbs were added based on two criteria. For patients with loose stool and undigested food, Chen Pi and Bai Bian Dou were added. For patients with sticky stool, herbs were added and subtracted from the formula. Gou Qi Zi, Shan Yao, and Shan Zhu Yu (Shan Yu Rou) were supplanted with Che Qian Zi, Huang Lian, and Mu Xiang. The herbal formulas for all patients were brewed each day and served in the morning and at night.
The high total effective rate of 95.24% for acupuncture plus herbal medicine treatments indicates that this approach to care is effective for patients with RLS. Acupuncture continuing education research focusing on additional TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) protocols of care will help to codify acupuncture and herbal medicine standards. The influences of du, taiyang, and shaoyang channel blockages on restless leg syndrome are important factors according to TCM principles. Qi and blood stasis affecting these channels due to disorders such as lumbar disc compression, IVF (intervertebral foramina) encroachment, immobility of the sacroiliac joint, and other local concerns affecting acupuncture channels of the legs warrants additional research.