Restless legs is a syndrome that is very frustrating disorder that is characterized by the need to jiggle and move your legs constantly and usually strikes while you are resting and especially at night. It can drive some crazy and it prevents a good sleep, for the sufferer and their partner! It can be experienced as tingling, numbness, cramping and pain along with the feeling that you need to get up and walk around to relieve it. It’s a poorly misunderstood disorder that has no known medical cure, so what is it and why does it hit most when we rest?
In Chinese Medicine terms there are a number of causes to this problem, the major two being blood stasis (poor circulation) and blood deficiency (Iron and B group vitamins) as well as with magnesium and Calcium deficiency. Restless legs is often correlated with other chronic disorders such as kidney failure, diabetes, varicose veins or peripheral neuropathy. It can be exacerbated by antihistamine use so be cautious especially if you use an ‘over the counter’ sleep drugs, while studies have also shown ant-acids such as PPI’s (protein pump inhibitors such as Nexuim) can also exacerbate this condition.
There are a number of treatments that have good results natural therapies are generally the best way as drugs are more to reduce the symptoms but don’t treat the cause. A Magnesium supplement is a great place to start, it can be taken internally and/or combines with topical application of Magnesium oil or creams. Magnesium is a muscle relaxant so can help with stress and improve sleep and relax us generally, best taken along with in combination with Calcium. Other signs of magnesium deficiency include weakness and fatigue, migraines and tension headaches, muscle twitches and spasms, dizziness and low stress tolerance. The form your magnesium comes in is also important, studies have shown that magnesium citrate being the water-soluble form is more readily absorbed than inorganic salts such as magnesium oxide. Talk to your chemist or health professional for the right one for you. Good food sources of magnesium include Hemp seeds, pumpkin seeds, Brazil nuts, spinach, avocado (my favorite) and red kidney beans (which are also good for water retention). Vitamin C with natural bio-flavonoids that are available in fruits fiber so make sure you get the pulp with your fresh orange or other juices as it increases uptake of many other vitamins and iron.
In Chinese Medicine we first look at the cause and will treat accordingly and will include massage and acupuncture to boost circulation and nourish blood. Herbs such as Cinnamon, Ginger and Chinese Angelica are frequently used for this condition with good success while herbal formulas that assist in blood circulation work reliably to relieve the condition.
Keeping up your daily exercise is very important…walking or swimming is great to get the blood moving and that reduces the pooling of blood in the vessels that can cause varicose veins and restless legs. A warm bath or foot soak with Epson salts (which are magnesium crystals) before bed will help a good deal as well and ensure a good night sleep. So don’t put up with this frustrating condition and enjoy your nights well-earned rest.
Until next time
Stay Well
Dr Angela Palmer
Kinglake Chinese Medicine