Insomnia and Acupuncture: Rebalancing Your Body For a Better Night Sleep

You’re exhausted, but you can’t sleep. Night after night, you toss and turn without relief. You wake up weary-eyed, cranky and reaching for the coffee. 

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Insomnia results in more than just tiredness. You lose motivation and find it difficult to concentrate. You feel either hyper, irritable or depressed. These symptoms affect the way you function at work, social occasions and everyday life.

Insomnia is one of the most common conditions our acupuncturist treats. It’s not surprising when 14% of Australians suffer from a chronic sleep condition, and over half (59.4%) experience sleep disorder symptoms.

Sleep disorder symptoms include;

  • Difficulty initiating sleep

  • Difficulty maintaining sleep

  • Waking earlier than desired

  • Resisting going to sleep

  • Difficulty sleeping without intervention.

Acupuncture and Insomnia

Acupuncture is an alternative treatment for insomnia. People often turn to acupuncture because traditional sleep medications have problematic side effects, e.g. drowsiness and addiction.

Patients who come to see our acupuncturist present with signs of emotional stress, illness, or improper diet. Living with these stresses often result in what Chinese Medicine refers to as, Liver Qi Stagnation or Spleen Qi Deficiency and Heart Blood Deficiency.

In Chinese Medicine terms, Liver Qi Stagnation is the congestion of energy in the liver, often as a result of suppressed emotions. The suppressed energy decreases the liver’s energy and Blood flow, which heats the liver, causing insomnia.

An unhealthy diet often causes Blood deficiency. The spleen converts food to blood and if there is an imbalance here, the blood cannot nourish the brain, making it harder to sleep.

How does acupuncture treat insomnia?

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Acupuncture works to restore the imbalances of the Qi and the harmony of mind and body. 

All acupuncture treatment plans begin with a consultation to learn about your health and lifestyle, followed by a tongue and pulse diagnosis

Treatment plans are typically 1-2 times a week for a period of time, followed by a maintenance program and lifestyle advice. 

Tips on managing insomnia

Before you make your acupuncture appointment, you may want tips on how to improve your sleep in the meantime. 

Our acupuncturist suggests the following;

  • Develop a routine for sleep – same bedtime and wake up time

  • Limit caffeine during the day 

  • Wind down at least two hours before bedtime

  • Eat your last meal at least two hours before bedtime

  • Soak your feet in comfortably hot water just before bed (Chinese tradition)

  • Avoid naps 

  • Create a sleep sanctuary in your bedroom (natural fibre sheets, soft colours e.g. pale peach, lavender, light blue)

  • Clean up the clutter in your room, e.g. paperwork, computer, TV.

Are you finding it difficult to sleep? Acupuncture can help. Make your appointment today.


Ignite Communications WA