Are you having troubles sleeping? More than 12% of Australians suffer from chronic insomnia. Lack of sleep can affect your quality of life and can increase your risk of developing other chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease and depression.
Acupuncture has been shown in several studies to be an effective treatment for insomnia and sleep disorders. It can make a significant difference in total sleep time and quality. Studies have also shown that acupuncture can stimulate melatonin production, reduce sleep disruption and anxiety.
What is insomnia?
Insomnia isn’t just an inability to fall asleep, it can also be waking frequently in the middle of the night, waking unable to fall back asleep, restless sleeps, light sleep or waking up too early.
What are the negative repercussions of inadequate or poor-quality sleep?
· Tiredness or daytime sleepiness
· Poor concentration, poor memory & forgetfulness
· Mood changes; irritability, snapping easily, loss of motivation or interest, impulsive behaviours, restlessness
· Tension headaches
· Nightmares
Cause of insomnia;
· Stress, over thinking, worrying too much
· Over working
· Too much caffeine, alcohol, energy drinks, some prescription medications, and drugs
· Anxiety or depression
· Poor sleep habits
· Medical conditions such as menopausal symptoms (hot flushes/night sweats), sleep apnoea, restless leg syndrome
How can Acupuncture & Chinese medicine help?
We will look at your tongue and take your pulse and ask you questions around sleep, diet and lifestyle. In TCM (traditional Chinese medicine), sleep is heavily influenced by the energy of the Heart. When someone has sleep issues, we always look at the Heart. However, there can be other influences affecting sleep. Sleep issues usually are connected between the Heart and/ or Kidney, Liver or Spleen. Blood deficiency can also play a role in insomnia as well as a pattern of disease known as ‘phlegm-heat’.
By assessing and treating your underlying cause of your sleep disturbance acupuncture & Chinese medicine can gradually rectify these imbalances -allowing good quality sleep to be restored.
A nice bonus to acupuncture is that when you get acupuncture there is a release of endorphins from the brain (triggered by the needling of acupuncture points). Endorphins are great for pain relief but are also associated with a feeling of ‘well-being & relaxation’.
How many treatments will you need?
This will vary from one person to the next depending on the underlying cause and the influence of certain lifestyle factors. You will need to do a course of treatment starting at weekly intervals. Improvements in sleep are often noted in just a few sessions.
What can you do in-between treatments?
· Establish a consistent bedtime routine
· Burn relaxing essential oils (such as a good quality Lavender essential oil) for 1-2 hours before bed
· Make sure you have a good pillow and mattress as you will not sleep well if you are uncomfortable!
· If you wake up, do not think of anything but the word ‘sleep’. Do not let your mind wander
· Relaxing music for some people, but it is important to consider not have singing or talking- as this can keep your mind alert and awake.
· Choose to reduce your stress.
· If you grind your teeth or have troubling dreams, instruct yourself (in your mind) to ‘not to grind your teeth’ or that you will ‘not have bad dreams’. Think of something positive that you would like to dream about instead!
*Remember, your sub-conscious mind is most active when you are sleeping so you can tell it what to do!
To learn more about Acupuncture, meet Margie here. Or make a booking today.
Studies ref; https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27261976/, Acupuncture Increases Nocturnal Melatonin Secretion and Reduces Insomnia and Anxiety: A Preliminary Report | The Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences (psychiatryonline.org)