Homeopathy and Restless Legs

Personally, I wouldn’t think of homeopathy first when looking for a cure for RLS. There are undoubtedly people who do.

Since I am curious by nature, I decide to read up on this topic as well. I find that interesting anyway. Also, I think I’m doing others a favor by sorting this information out in an orderly fashion.

In this blog I will therefore briefly discuss what homeopathy is and what it could help you if you are dealing with restless legs.

What is homeopathy

Homeopathy is based on the ideas of the German physician Samuel Hahnemann.

He started from the principle of similarity. This principle means that a homeopathic medicine is suitable if, in pure, undiluted form, it induces the same symptoms in a healthy person as in the sick person.

Homeopathy works with strong dilutions of the raw material. A so-called primal tincture is used or a rubbing of the raw material with milk sugar in a mortar. The substance is then shaken and diluted several times in a number of steps. The liquid that remains is processed into drops, granules or tablets.

In principle, classical homeopathy uses only one ingredient per remedy. This component is tailored to the individual patient and their symptoms. The intention is that a person’s immune system is stimulated to self-repair with a natural stimulus. This concerns the physical defense system, but also the ability to deal with stress and emotions.

Homeopathics that are available over the counter at the pharmacy or drugstore are ready-to-use combinations. It contains a mix of a number of homeopathic remedies. This form of homeopathy is known as complex homeopathy. The resources are more generic and especially suitable for simple, acute complaints.

Restless legs

I don’t actually know any fellow sufferers who use homeopathic remedies for restless legs. Surely they will be there. Homeopathic doctors will no doubt get questions about it from time to time as well.

I read more about it in the information I view online. Classical homeopathy appears to have an approach for sleeping problems, including restless legs. A homeopath looks at the total picture of disturbed sleep. Underlying causes and additional symptoms are equally important.

One word I come across on a classical homeopath’s website is akathisia. It’s in parentheses behind restless legs. Akathisia literally means not being able to sit. In other words, you can hardly stay in the same position for a longer period of time due to an inner urge to move. Standing for long periods of time is also difficult. The latter sounds less like a characteristic of RLS, since you mainly suffer from it when you are sitting or lying down.

Akathisia appears to be best known as a description of a side effect of antipsychotics. Other medications such as antidepressants can also cause movement anxiety. Such drugs can disrupt the production of the neurotransmitter dopamine. I don’t know if akathisia is a common word in homeopathy for restless legs or if a single homeopath uses this term on his website.

When choosing an approach to sleep disorders, the homeopath first pays attention to the complaint itself. He or she also looks at the surrounding symptoms, but also, for example, at the content of someone’s dreams. Tension and stress can be expressed in those dreams. According to homeopathy, it is just as important to get started to restore the overall balance.

Apart from prescribing homeopathic remedies, the homeopath gives advice on diet and lifestyle, as well as the well-known sleep tips. These advices and tips are not typical of homeopathy.

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