Restless legs syndrome (RLS) has not a know cause, however, recent findings link it go genetic predisposition. This means that if you have relatives with restless legs, you are more likely to experience it as well.
As a secondary symptom, restless legs are associated with conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, diabetes and peripheral neuropathy (any damage or disease of the nerves that impairs sensation, movement or gland function depending on which nerves are affected).
Restless legs syndrome is a condition where there is an uncomfortable feeling (itching, pulling, twitching, creepy crawly sensations) in the legs, and an incredible urge to move those legs. The symptoms are often worse at night or when relaxed.
5 – 10% of the adult population in Australia could be affected by it. The conditions is more typical in adults older than 45 years of age, but both females and males are equally affected.
How do we differentiate RLS in Chinese medicine?
In Chinese medicine, we associate restless legs with several patterns. To establish the pattern, we will be taking other aspects of your physiology into consideration and will also check out and relate other symptoms.
As basis of our diagnosis there is always yin and yang, Excess and deficiency, interior or exterior. In general, it’s often a combination of several factors. Once, we have found the pattern, we will treat endeavor to restore balance by addressing that pattern. Theoretically, this will resolve the restless legs.
Example of patterns in restless legs syndrome:
Qi & blood deficiency
If vital substances of the body are lacking or are deficient, physiological function will be impaired. In the case of restless legs, the aspect of blood (not flowing harmoniously around physical structures of the body) will be playing a major role. Blood deficiency doesn’t necessarily mean that blood is physically lacking but blood is not nourishing in the right place at the right time.
In todays societies of stress and ongoing pressure and tension, coupled with sub-optimal diet and a balanced lifestyle, it’s easy to run out of juice (qi and blood)!
With this pattern, the symptoms will most likely be intermittent and will be aggravated when feeling more tired.
Blood stasis blocking channels and collaterals
Once blood deficiency has been present for some time, the blood becomes stagnant, as the body is no longer able to overcome the deficiency. Hence the sensations will be more constant and stronger, perhaps more stabbing and intense pain and discomfort each time you sit or rest. This pattern might be more predominant the elderly patients as naturally, the blood becomes weaker later in life.
Coldness and dampness blocking the meridians
If there is more heaviness or a distending sensation, twitching and a legs that are cold to touch, it could be caused by damp obstruction. In this case, the symptoms will be aggravated by too much cold or damp/phlegm producing (acidic) food such as dairy, sweets, meats and uncooked food.
Dampness combined with heat in the lower part of the body
If there is more burning and perhaps swelling with your legs, you could suffer from damp-heat obstruction of the lower burner. This means, that dampness and heat have combined in the lower part of the body which will block the meridians and prevent the blood and qi from flowing uninterruptedly.
Once we have established the pattern that causes your restless legs syndrome, we will apply treatment (acupuncture and/or herbal medicines and or Tui Na massage). This will improve the quality of your sleep and most likely increase your health in general.
The analysis of disease in oriental medicine is based on a concept called ‘zangfu’. The zang are solid and the fu are hollow organs. The focus of Chinese medicine on the different organs reflects the increased reliance on concepts therein. Other major concepts are ‘yin yang’ and the ‘5 elements’.
The Heart
The heart is considered as the emperor among the organ in Chinese medicine. The inner-outer relationship is with the small intestine, and they are both part of the fire element. The heart is also responsible for governing the blood (xue) and is in charge of the blood vessels. The wellness of the heart is said to reflect in one’s facial colour and expression. The functionality of the heart is exceedingly strong between 11am and 1pm. A malfunctioning heart is characterized by insomnia, poor memory, arrhythmia, palpitations, and restlessness among others.
Small Intestine
The small intestine is considered to be a fu organ, in line with the zang fu theory. It’s most important responsibility is the management of the separation of the clear food essences from the turbid. The essence of grain and water, and a large amount of fluid is termed as “the clear”. The body will assimilate this part as energy by the spleen. From there it is distributed throughout the whole body. At the same time, the turbid is transferred downwards to the large intestine while the useless water is directed towards the bladder. A slight disorder in the small intestine is mainly characterized by failure to separate the clear from the turbid. The disorders associated with such a failure include urinary and stool disturbances, scanty urine, diarrhoea, and abdominal pain among others. The fire element (manifesting as those two organs) is associated with the emotion of joy.
For a personal consultation with our registered Chinese medicine practitioner, please call 03 5956 7011 or book an appointment online
The analysis of disease in oriental medicine is based on a concept called ‘zangfu’. The zang are solid and the fu are hollow organs. The focus of Chinese medicine on the different organs reflects the increased reliance on concepts therein. Other major concepts are ‘yin yang’ and the ‘5 elements’.
The Stomach
The stomach is paired with the spleen. They are related to the element of earth. The emotions associated with these organs are those of stress, anxiety and worry. The stomach is responsible for controlling the ripening and rotting of food. After the process of fermentation, the refined essence resulting from food is extracted by the spleen. The stomach is also responsible for transporting different food essences. As such, strong energy is associated with a strong stomach qi. Where the stomach has a reduced qi to transport the food essences to the whole body, fatigue is experienced. Controlling the descending of the qi also lies within the functionality of the stomach. For the stomach to function accordingly, it is imperative to have the right amount of liquids.
The Spleen
The spleen is a zang organ and it is considered to be a yin organ that is associated with the stomach. The spleen is responsible for extracting and governing the transportation and absorption of food essences. So the purer the energy of your food, the easier it will be assimilated by the spleen. All food essences are subsequently distributed to the other zang organs. The limbs and muscles are governed by the spleen as well and the flesh often represents the state of the spleen. Furthermore, the spleen’s functionality is said to be stronger between 9 and 11am. Ideally, when the spleen functions accordingly, digestion is good. This, in turn, leads to strong muscles and efficient circulation and movement of the body. On the other hand, a dysfunctional spleen is characterized by malnutrition, excessive bleeding, diarrhea, and edema among other symptoms as well.
For a personal consultation with our registered Chinese medicine practitioner, please call 03 5956 7011 or book an appointment online
The Lunar New Year is coming up with the new moon February 9th, ushering in a year of the (male) Fire Monkey.[1] According to Tibetan Astrology a Monkey year is “extremely rich and holds many surprises—anything can happen. This is a year in which one must be cunning and seize new initiatives. All opportunities are open and one should be flexible enough to take advantage of them. This is a year of daring progress, not for the slow or timid.”[2] The fire element adds to that rather exciting stew: “Fire transmits a vital, brilliant, and transforming energy and enhances expression, extroversion, and the ability to make decisions.”
According to Chinese Five Elements Horoscopes, Monkey contains Metal and Water. Metal is connected to gold and discernment. Water is connected to wisdom and danger. Outwardly we will deal with more financial events in the year of the Monkey. Monkey is a smart, naughty, wily and vigilant animal. If you want to have good return for your money investment, then you need to outsmart the Monkey. Metal is also connected to the Wind. That implies the status of events will be changing very quickly. Think twice before you leap into making changes be it in finance, career, business, or relationships. The key word for the coming year is volatile. If you are able to meet volatile movement with flexibility and resourcefulness you will be able to take advantage of what could otherwise seem a chaotic wave of events.
Generally, if you are born in a monkey year ( 1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004) be careful. To a lesser degree this is true for those born in the year of the tiger (1914, 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010) which is opposite the monkey. Every 12 years you return to the sign of your birth which is considered unfavorable and therefore a time to keep a low profile. Good advice for health professionals: check a patients lunar year of birth. Knowing that they have a strong or weak year can help with treatment prognosis and protocol. Of course, applying stems and branches by far the best if you had the luxury to learn it…
However, if the element of your birth year is earth it is more favorable as the annual fire element supports earth.
Bottom line, it will will be a very volatile year! There will be endless opportunities as long as you know how to go with the flow but anyone looking for something to hold on to might find the time ahead challenging.
For personalized charts, please contact Suzanne Greeven directly at Channa Astrology
[1] Strictly speaking, the new moon takes place at 1 am on the 9. February (AEST) so the Chinese celebrations are before the actual new moon.
The analysis of disease in oriental medicine is based on a concept called ‘zangfu’. The zang are solid and the fu are hollow organs. The focus of Chinese medicine on the different organs reflects the increased reliance on concepts therein. Ideally, every organ has a specific meaning, and this has a direct impact on how certain diseases are analyzed and treated. Other major concepts are ‘yin yang’ and the ‘5 elements’.
All organs are paired with another one in a yin-yang relationship. Yin organs store essence (lungs, spleen, heart, kidney liver and pericardium). Yang organs receive and transport (large intestine, stomach, small Intestine, urinary bladder, gallbladder and triple burner).
The Lungs
In the context of Chinese medicine, the lungs create a border between the inner and outer worlds. Owing to the sensitivity of the inner environment, there is a definite need for a boundary that defines and defends a person. The role of the lungs goes beyond the respiratory system, despite the fact that the main material that is taken in is oxygen.
Boundary, renewal, and breadth are the main elements associated with the lungs. This organ is considered to be the master of qi; this is mainly because the physical vitality is one of its main responsibilities.
The lung is paired with the large intestine. These 2 organs are responsible for immunity and the strength of the body’s defensive energy.
The Large intestine
The large intestine is the yang organ that pairs with the lungs. The lung connects with the large intestine via the meridian (internal pathway) and this is how the organs communicate. The pair is associated with the emotion of grief. The major function of the large intestine is to receive the waste that is released through the small intestines. The fluid content of the waste is absorbed by the large intestines, and the rest of the content is formed into faces, which is later excreted.
The large intestine and the lungs also govern the skin, the physical boundary of our body and our personality.
For a personal consultation with our registered Chinese medicine practitioner, please call 03 5956 7011 or book an appointment online
Unfortunately, Chinese herbal medicine has enticed negative attention when an article revealed that a multidisciplinary approach to assess the molecular content of 26 patents described found that 92% of their samples have some form of contamination and/or substitution.
The research was funded through an Australian Research Council Future Fellowship awarded to MB and a National Health and Medical Research Council grant.
Details about the products that were randomly purchased and tested have not been revealed but it was apparent that at least 50% of these purchased products were not listed on the ARTG (Australian Register Therapeutic Goods) and hence regulated by the TGA (Therapeutic Goods Administration).
What is sure is, that they were so called pre-packaged products (‘patents’). The composition of the products is derived from classical formulas, possibly modified with additional herbs and then sold as Hay fever tablets, Clear Cough, Menopause fix or something along those lines. These products are widely available through many channels, over the counter (OTC).
If these products are pre-packaged and sold over the counter, they have to be listed with the ARTG (the TGA register). If they don’t have an AUSTL or an AUSTR reference, they are sold illegally.
As registered Acupuncturists in Australia, the law permits us to recommend or sell those patent products. As registered Chinese herbalists, we also dispense customized herbal formulas to our patients. These formulas are made up from single herbs, such as raw herbs (unprepared, twigs, leaves, roots, flowers, barks, etc.) or from prepared single extracts such as granules or liquids. This means those products result from single raw herbs but have undergone testing with the relevant manufacturers before being extracted.
The tests in an accredited laboratory are:
Botanical identification (the testing method most appropriate for the product is chosen, but often HPTLC = High performance thin layer chromatography)
Aflatoxins
Pesticides: Total BHC’s, Total DDT’s, Quintozene (PCNB)
Heavy metals: Lead, Arsenic, Mercury, Cadmium
Microbiology: aerobic count, yeast and mold count E. coli, Salmonella, Bile-tolerant gram-negative, Staphylococcus Aureus
The contamination thresholds for herbs are much lower than the ones used in Food Standards. Safflower has always advocated that raw materials (Herbs, animal products and minerals) need to undergo testing to make the end product a safe and stable product for human consumption. This is the reason, why we dispense formulas (for patients of our clinic and for other practitioners) compounded from single substances that have been certified.
It is needless to say that customized herbal formulas cost more due to the fact that the raw materials have received much attention. Thankfully both of our manufacturer KPC and Conforma are serious about the production of their extracts and hence meet the pharmaceutical standard called GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice). Each single substances is received with a Certificate of Analysis (CoA) that outlines each test and that has been conducted and the results achieved, before the product is released for compounding and consumption by adults and children.
We also receive our paraffin-free cream base from a local GMP manufacturer.
It is unfortunate that the contaminated products were available in Australia and have left the Australian public in mistrust towards Chinese herbal medicine. Without a doubt, the article has sent a powerful message.
In essence:
At this stage, the branding of the products analyzed have been kept anonymous which means that the Australian public can’t be warned of the products in question.
The results of the listed products have been forwarded to the TGA and will most likely be investigated, it could also mean that complementary medicine products won’t be able to list on the ARTG but could require analysis and extensive testing in the future.
Each and every formula dispensed by Safflower contain single substances in liquid or granulated extracts that have undergone extensive testing and are received with a Certificate of Analysis which means that they are safe for consumption for both adults and children.
If you have any questions or queries, please do not hesitate to contact us via email or telephone 03 5956 7011.
