Insomnia

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The American Academy of Sleep Medicine defines insomnia as a sleep disorder in which a person has “persistent difficulty with sleep initiation, duration, consolidation or quality.” Nearly one third of adults in the United States have experienced short to long term episodes of insomnia. 

A person who suffers from insomnia will likely have one or more of the following issues: 

• Difficulty falling asleep 
• Difficulty staying asleep 
• Waking up several times throughout the night
• Waking up earlier than wanted or planned
• Feeling dissatisfied with the quality and/or duration of the sleep

Sleep is a vital function in our bodies. Sleep is necessary for the body to rest and repair itself physically, mentally, and emotionally. A person who does not get quality sleep will likely suffer from several health related issues. 

Disrupted sleep caused by insomnia can lead to the following health conditions:

• Daytime fatigue and burnout
• Irritability and anxiety
• Poor focus and concentration
• Decreased immune function
• Low energy and motivation
• Increased feeling of pain and/or discomfort
• Gastrointestinal issues

There are several factors that can directly affect the quality of a person's sleep:

• Use of stimulants such as caffeine, alcohol, and/or nicotine
• Stress, anxiety, and/or depression
• Poor sleep habits or sleep hygiene
• Disruption in schedule or travel
• Medication
• Underlying health conditions

In East Asian medicine, insomnia can be caused by several different factors, but will usually include a disharmony or imbalance in one or more channels, zang/fu organs, internal emotions, or a combination of these. The key is finding the right cause and correcting the imbalance through treatment.

So how does acupuncture help with insomnia? There are well documented clinical findings stating that acupuncture helps regulate the activities in the HPA-axis and stimulates the release of neurotransmitters. Therefore, acupuncture is often used to reduce anxiety and stress, increase relaxation, reduce pain, and restore balance. All these actions promote a more restful sleep, which in turn help the body improve overall health and wellness.

Acupuncture was found to very effective at treating people with primary insomnia in a radomized controlled clinical trial.

Our acupuncture treatments for insomnia are personalized to match your needs. We offer a gentle approach and a relaxing experience. We have helped a lot of people find restful sleep, which in turn has improved the lives and health of these amazing people.

Call, text, or email us to learn more or to request an appointment.