If you’re familiar with our blog, you know that we cover acupuncture’s many benefits and recent studies that show its effectiveness for treating a wide variety of conditions, diseases and discomforts. One of the common themes that pop up across much of our coverage is that acupuncture is a holistic remedy—not only does it use the body’s natural pain-relief and healing possibilities, but it doesn’t come with any major side effects.

We recognize that many times medication is necessary or is the preferred method of treating a disorder by some patients. Any many medications are indeed effective at their designed treatment. But too often medications are effective at one thing at the expense of the rest of our body’s health. And now a recent study illuminates the difference between acupuncture and medication for the treatment of a specific disorder, and how acupuncture is able to help out without sacrificing other wellbeing.

Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Traditional Chinese Medicine University recently conducted a study comparing the effect of acupuncture and herbs versus medication for treating Restless Leg Syndrome. The disorder, which brings about an irresistible urge to move the legs due to an uncomfortable sensation, affects about 3 million people in the US a year; unfortunately there is no cure for it.

Many people who suffer from RLS are prescribed gabapentin, which is a nerve pain and anti-convulsant medication. The study compared what patients experienced when taking gabapentin versus receiving treatment of acupuncture plus herbs. The study concluded that both methods of treatment worked about equally as well in terms of reducing the severity of their RLS and improving their sleep. The difference, however, was in the cost of that improvement.

Nearly 40% of the group that took the gabapentin experienced major side effects, including nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and drowsiness. The acupuncture group? No such side effects.

This is true of many instances where people default to taking pharmaceutical medications. As always, please consult a medical professional on the proper treatment plan for you. But acupuncture is here to help your body heal without the cost associated with taking many medications.