Natural Health: I suffer from restless legs syndrome 

Plus: natural ways of dealing with trigeminal neuralgia

Pic: iStock

I’ve been suffering on and off from restless legs syndrome for about two years. In recent months, the symptoms have become so intense that they wake me during the night. I’m in my early 60s and reasonably fit and active.

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a neurological disorder that causes people to feel an overwhelming desire to move their legs to relieve the deep ache, tingling, or burning sensation commonly felt.

RLS often causes more trouble for sufferers at night since it is linked with periods of inactivity, such as lying down in bed. Taking long trips — especially on aeroplanes — is another common trigger.

It is more common in women than men and, in a significant number of cases, has an underlying folate deficiency. You could supplement with folic acid or increase the amount of folate-rich foods in your diet.

Juicing is a good way to increase your daily intake of essential nutrients. Vegetables such as asparagus, spinach, and kale are all good sources of folate, so try to include daily juicing in your routine, making sure it contains at least one of these vegetables.

Excluding processed foods, alcohol, and caffeine from your diet can also be beneficial.

Magnesium is another critical nutrient as it helps to relax muscles and nerves (take around 300-400mg daily). The magnesium/calcium ratio is very important for a number of bodily functions, and excess calcium in the diet can throw this ratio off balance, often resulting in muscle cramping.

If you are taking a calcium supplement, it is worth discussing with your health practitioner the benefits of reducing the dosage to rebalance your system and ease your RLS symptoms.

Stretching and massage are excellent hands-on treatments, particularly as you relax before bed. You can make any massage more effective by using a heat balm or oil, such as a cayenne heat rub or other similar product formulated to help increase circulation.

Improve your internal circulation by making a hot drink using a cup of boiling water, a slice or two of fresh ginger root, a heaped tablespoon of raw honey, and a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar. Add a decent pinch of cayenne to the mix to supercharge your brew.

• For more information and support, visit www.restlesslegs.org.uk.

I occasionally get short bursts of excruciating pain in my face when chewing food. My doctor says it’s trigeminal neuralgia, which can be treated with medication. I want to try a natural treatment first. What would you suggest?

Trigeminal neuralgia is characterised by intense facial pain, especially when chewing.

Natural remedies may help, and while they can be tried as an alternative to medication, they can also work alongside conventional treatments.

Herbal supplements feverfew, turmeric, and Boswellia serrata can help to reduce inflammation and provide pain relief.

Acupuncture, a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) practice involving the insertion of hair-thin needles into precise points on the body, can be highly effective in reducing the intensity and frequency of trigeminal neuralgia pain.

In some cases, caffeine, alcohol, and spicy foods can exacerbate trigeminal neuralgia symptoms, so consider experimenting with removing these from your diet and note if it is helpful.

Biofeedback techniques are also worth investigating as they can help the body balance and mitigate pain responses.

If you plan to undergo a combination of medical management and natural remedies, it is crucial you tell your doctor, as natural remedies and treatments may be contraindicated with prescribed medications.

• If you have a question for Megan Sheppard, please email it to [e-mail] 
• NOTE: The information contained in this column is not a substitute for medical advice. Always consult a doctor.