Recently, I was pinning a patient in the office, and I actually witnessed a patient having an episode of Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS). I had been treating this patient for a few weeks, and the symptoms were getting better — but not as fast as I wanted. When I am not satisfied with the time it takes a patient to heal, I hit the books and Internet and I search out a new method of treating the particular syndrome. I began studying this disease and found the following information:
RLS is described as a neurological disorder characterized by unpleasant sensations in the legs and an uncontrollable urge to move when at rest in an effort to relieve these feelings. RLS symptoms are often described as burning, creeping, tugging sensations, similar to insects crawling inside the legs! Often called paresthesias (abnormal sensations) or dysesthesias (unpleasant abnormal sensations), the sensations range in severity from uncomfortable to irritating to painful.
Lying down and trying to relax activates the symptoms. Most patients with RLS have difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep because of these involuntary movements and symptoms. Left untreated, the condition causes exhaustion and daytime fatigue. Many people with RLS report that their job, personal relations, and activities of daily living are strongly affected as a result of their exhaustion. They are often unable to concentrate, have impaired memory, or fail to accomplish daily tasks.
After studying as much as I could, I found a treatment that I thought would work… and it DID!!! The very next week, I used an acupuncture Master’s points as described in his books, and I again got to witness this patient’s healing right before my eyes. The movements and pain of this patient’s legs stopped about 15 seconds after I pinned him with the additional new points I had discovered. Wow, I was amazed at how quickly the treatment worked! The patient received approximately 12 treatments total, 2 times per week, for 6 weeks.
The patient has stopped taking ALL MEDICATION for RLS and is completely free of ALL major attacks of this syndrome. He’s had it for more than 12 years, and some of his other family members have also been affected by the same affliction. The patient is very, very happy and healed!
If you or someone you know is afflicated with RLS, consider acupuncture as a way to relieve the symptoms.
