DEAR DR. GOTT: I am a 74-year-old male with severe RLS and have been taking Mirapex and gabapentin, which do an acceptable job of controlling the symptoms. Since I’d prefer not to take medication, I am wondering about pulsed infrared light therapy. A chiropractor claims that my problem might be caused by small fiber neuropathy and that PILT has proven 90% effective in treating such problems. It’s an expensive treatment not covered by insurance and I’m having trouble finding any evidence that it can work. Can you offer any insight?

DEAR READER: As a reference for those unfamiliar with restless legs syndrome (RLS), it is a disorder characterized by an almost uncontrollable urge to move the feet and legs that commonly occurs during periods of inactivity. [Read more...]