Weekly at first, then every two weeks.
At a glance
Restless legs calmed down and she can sleep through the night, with her varicose veins and shoulder pain clearing as well.
Presentation
A 55-year-old patient’s legs felt achy and throbbing, which kept her awake at night. She also had mild varicose veins and severe shoulder pain.
Diagnosis
In TCM, restless leg syndrome (RLS) is seen as a disorder of Qi and blood circulation, where the channels in the lower limbs become obstructed or under-nourished. When blood stasis (Xue Yu) and phlegm-dampness (Tan Shi) combine, they create a thick, turbid blockage that stops Qi and blood moving smoothly, leading to night-time leg discomfort, crawling sensations and the compulsive urge to move. This patient’s RLS was caused by mild phlegm dampness and blood stasis.
Treatment
- Acupuncture — Dr. Tan’s [Jueyin, Yangming] I/IV meridian conversion, which can treat RLS: [LI-1 (Shangyang), LI-4 (Hegu), LR-1 (Dadun), LR-4 (Zhongfeng), PC-9 (Zhongchong), PC-6 (Neiguan), ST-45 (Lidui), ST-42 (Chongyang)]
- Herbal medicine — Dr. Haixia Ni’s herbal mixture for RLS, varicose veins and shoulder pain, which addresses all three at once
Result
Her legs felt normal after two weeks. Then the shoulder pain went away, and then the varicose veins disappeared.
Even though the RLS was mild, it took time to clear the underlying problems and resolve all three conditions. Because the herbs cleared the root causes, phlegm dampness and blood stasis, the problems are not expected to come back.
Additional notes
This reflects an individual patient experience, not clinical trial data.
Results vary from person to person depending on the condition, its severity, and how an individual responds to treatment. TCM and acupuncture are not a substitute for care from your physician or another regulated health professional. If you’re dealing with a serious or urgent symptom, please see a doctor first.