Chinese Herbs for Restless Leg Syndrome | Acupressure for RLS

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Chinese Herbs for Restless Leg Syndrome

Chinese Medicine and Acupressure for RLS

By: Catherine Browne, L.Ac., MH, Dipl.Ac.

Restless Leg Syndrome, or RLS, is considered a complicated internal disease in Chinese medicine. RLS is not detailed in ancient Chinese medical texts as a specific syndrome, but displays particular attributes that are recognized in Chinese medicine. The patterns of disharmony described below are separated to help describe this condition, but in actuality, Restless Leg Syndrome will have combined attributes.

Internal Liver Wind

In Chinese medicine, involuntary tics and spasms are attributed to 'Liver Wind'. In health, the Liver is rich with Blood, and the Liver is able to circulate Blood and Qi freely. If the Liver is out of balance or undernourished, Qi stops circulating and Blood becomes deficient. Because Blood is cooling in nature, the Liver naturally begins to heat up with Blood Deficiency and Liver Qi Stagnation. If you have ever studied a bonfire, you would notice that a wind tunnel develops over the flames as the heat rises; this is the concept in Chinese medicine as heat rises and creates a chaotic wind.

This concept of Internal Liver Wind is a primary theory in Chinese medicine, but is a very foreign concept for the Western mind. Logic tells us that RLS is a neurological disorder of unknown origin, and Internal Wind sounds like 'wu-wu'; however, in practice, Chinese medicine is quite functional and effective in addressing this disorder. This is because Chinese medicine views the human body as a microcosm of the larger world around it that cannot escape or defy the laws of nature. Our body will react to internal heat just as a bonfire reacts to heat; by creating a chaotic wind.

Release Acupressure Point LV 2 (Xiangjian) to Extinguish Internal Wind

Liver 2 is located on the

dorsum of the foot, on the

crease of the junction of the first

and second metatarsal bones.

Acupressure Directions

Blood Deficiency

As mentioned above, Blood Deficiency can be a major contributing factor in this disease. In Chinese medicine, Blood is very grounding and Heart Blood helps to ground the mind so that we can sleep soundly at night. Because RLS tends to affect us at night and disturb sleep, Heart Blood Deficiency is often a complication. Iron deficiency has been associated with RLS which would be a clear indication of Blood Deficiency. Additionally, Blood Deficiency becomes much more prevalent with aging, and RLS tends to begin affecting people after 50. Blood Deficiency can give rise to Blood Stagnation and would account for the strange sensations experienced with RLS.

Tonify Acupressure Point ST 36 (Zusanli or Leg Three Li) to Tonify Blood and Expel Wind

Stomach 36 is located 3 cun

below the knee cap 1 cun

from the anterior crest of

the tibula.

Acupressure Directions

Tonify Acupressure Point Sp 6 (Sanyinjiao or Three Yin Meetings) to strengthen the Spleen Qi, Liver, and Kidney Energy:

Spleen 6 is located 3 cun above

the tip of the medial malleolus

on the posterior border of the

medial aspect of the tibia.

Acupressure Directions

Kidney Yin Deficiency

Kidney Deficiency is a prevalent underlying condition with Restless Leg Syndrome. The Kidney system in TCM is closely related to the spine, brain, and nervous system. Additionally, Kidney Essence is depleted as we age, and RLS is associated with aging. Essence is also relates to familial conditions, and there appears to be a genetic link to RLS. The Kidneys are the source of all Yin of the body, and Yin Deficiency can cause Deficient Heat and Internal Wind.

Tonify Acupressure point KI 3 (Taixi or Great Stream) to tonify Kidney Yin energy:

Kidney 3 is located in the depression

between the medial malleolus and the

tendo calcaneus, level with the tip of

the medial malleolus.

Acupressure Directions

Chinese Herbs for Restless Leg Syndrome

Herbs that tonify Blood and Yin are especially important in treating the underlying root causes of RLS; bai shao, he shou wu, and shi di huang are favorites. Herbs that extinguish Liver Wind such as gou tengand tian ma, will address the symptoms of movement resulting from deficiencies.

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