acupuncture

[Bonniebluebutler]

just an inquiry really , has anyone tried acupuncture for restless legs ? I’m asking out of desperation and would love to know if it’s successful! It’s quite expensive so really want to know if it’s worth it ! Many thanks

[e365]

I tried it 2 times a week for several months and didn’t notice any improvement but everybody is different and it’s worth a try.

[Huntingleroy in reply to e365]

Absolute waste of time , she made me buy some disgusting tea as well . Think i was well and truly ripped off .She was very hard sell and said she could help !

[SueJohnson]

Welcome to the forum. You will find lots of help, support and understanding here.

I sincerely doubt acupuncture will help you.

Are you taking any medicines for your RLS?

Have you had your ferritin checked? If so, what was it? Improving your ferritin to 100 or more helps 60% of people with RLS and in some cases completely eliminates their symptoms. If not when you see your doctor ask for a full iron panel. Stop taking any iron supplements including multivitamins that have iron in them 48 hours before the test, don't eat a heavy meat meal the night before, fast after midnight and have your test in the morning before 9 am if possible. When you get the results, ask for your ferritin and transferrin saturation (TSAT) numbers. You want your transferrin saturation to be over 20% but less than 45% and your ferritin to be at least 100. If they are not, post them here and we can give you some advice.

Meanwhile some things that can make RLS symptoms worse for some people are alcohol, nicotine, caffeine, sugar, carbs, foods high in sodium(salt), foods that cause inflammation, ice cream, eating late at night, oestrogen (estrogen) including HRT, dehydration, MSG, collagen supplements, electrolyte imbalance, melatonin, stress and vigorous exercise.

Some things that help some people include caffeine, moderate exercise, weighted blankets, compression socks, elastic bandages, masturbation, magnesium glycinate, fennel, low oxalate diet, selenium, 5 minute shower alternating 20 seconds cold water with 10 seconds hot water finishing with hot water for another couple of minutes, hot baths, distractions, CBD, applying a topical magnesium lotion or spray, doing a magnesium salts soak, vitamins B1, B3, B6, B12, D3, K2, if deficient, and potassium and copper if deficient, massage including using a massage gun, vibration devices like therapulse, using a standing desk, listening to music, meditation and yoga. Keep a food diary to see if any food make your RLS worse.

Many medicines and OTC supplements can make RLS worse. If you are taking any and you list them here, I can tell you if any make RLS symptoms worse and if so may be able to give you a safe substitute.

By the way it would really help us to give you advice if you would indicate on your profile what country you live in and your gender.

[SEBARTA]

Yes but it only provides relief for a couple days.

[Jumpey]

I tried it to no avail.

[Munroist]

I tried and there was no perceivable benefit. The practitioner was someone I have a lot of respect for but I have tried acupuncture for other things as well and I couldn't see any improvement here either. However I've had a close relative in a lot of pain after a back op who was a total skeptic but was desperate and in his case really felt it worked. I wouldn't sign up for a long expensive course of treatment.

[ahome4u]

I tried it once. I probably should have given it a chance but after reading many RLS suffers stories, I got the impression that acupuncture just doesn't work for the majority. Is there any research showing there's an acupressure point. For instance, when I get a migraine headache, I pinch the webby point between my thumb and index finger alternating between hands. It works. I wish there was a pressure point to relieve restless legs syndrome.

[nocturne]

I've tried acupuncture for a lot of things with excellent results. With RLS, alas, not so much.

[CalmRestPeace]

Hi Bonnie

Many years ago when my RLS was sending me through the roof my wife suggested an acupuncturist that had helped her friend.

I made an appointment and it went well. At the end of the session he would give my legs a massage with his knuckles that caused tears to shoot out of my eyes.

However, after the session, I felt relief for the first time in years.

I think a lot of the relief had to do with the brutal massage, but regardless I felt hope for the first time.

The big news from that day is that he told me that I had inflammation in my legs.

This was news to me.

I thought to myself "well, that's something I can work with."

It took many years but I shifted to an anti-inflammatory lifestyle, and now, many years later, I am free of my RLS.

Back to the acupuncture. I had 4 or 5 sessions close to each other, maybe over 2 weeks, and then he suggested a break.

6 weeks or so later my RLS was coming back with a vengeance.

I repeated the earlier cycle with him, and then a few more times after that ... each time the sessions became less effective.

Eventually I stopped going to see him.

I would still recommend acupuncture. But, I'm not sure if that alone will give you much long lasting relief.

Your diet should always be the first thing you look at.

Good luck!

[Simkin]

Acupuncture was no help whatsoever & for me was a waste of money.