Acupuncture Highly Effective in Treating Insomnia

Sleep related disorders are one of the most overlooked health issues in the fast-paced life we are living today. Living in an environment where stress comes hand in hand with daily life, it is difficult to take action against issues related to an “apparently” harmless thing such as insomnia. Lack of sleep cannot only cause irritability and mood swings, but can also cause various health related problems in the long run.

The first step people take in order to overcome this issue is to take various medications that induce sleep. These medications usually come with adverse side effects along with a high level of dependency. While these medications may induce sleep, they do not cure insomnia because they ignore the root cause behind the disease. Insomnia can be considered as an indicator to various medical and psychological problems, and acupuncture for insomnia focuses on treating these underlying conditions so the patient can be healed completely.

Acupuncture and Insomnia

Acupuncture is an ancient technique, and its roots can be traced all the way back to ancient China. This method for treatment is not only gentle and painless, but is also considered to be one of the most highly effective treatment methods for this condition. This system of treatment works on the manipulation of the energy, called Qi, contained within oneself. An imbalance or blockage of this energy can bring on sleep related problems because the body and mind cannot relax properly.

Effect of Acupuncture on Insomnia Based Health Related Problems

A study conducted in 2004 [1] on patients with anxiety and insomnia showed that acupuncture increased the release of nocturnal melatonin in the body and eventually increased sleep time. The research team concluded that, “Acupuncture treatment may be of value for some categories of anxious patients with insomnia.”

Effect of Acupuncture on Insomnia in General

Other studies have shown that acupuncture has a positive result on people with insomnia in general (i.e. people who suffer from insomnia but have no other health problems) [2]. In the study, acupuncture promoted better sleep habits, and also an improvement in overall health. This study concluded that individualized acupuncture indeed shows efficacy in primary sleep disorders.

Acupuncture vs. Conventional Therapy

To all the people who use drugs to cure a condition such as insomnia, without the apparent onset of another disease, the option of using acupuncture is the most reliable form of treatment.

Some of the common side effects of conventional treatment with sleep medications are:

  • Constipation/Diarrhea
  • Drowsiness
  • Heartburn
  • Impairment the next day
  • In extreme cases, parasomnias

Side effects such as these and many more might be responsible for the onset of health related issues in the long term. Acupuncture not only relieves insomnia, but since it is based on the balance of energy within your body, it ensures an overall improvement in ones physical and mental self.

As we all know, the ultimate goal of a good night’s sleep is to relax your mind and body in such a manner that you wake up feeling fresh and productive. Here at our wellness center, we are dedicated to improving the quality of life of all our patients. Please feel free to contact us for setting up an appointment or to answer any queries. Our number is 786-537-7022. We also accept insurance.

 

References 

[1] J Neuropsychiatry Clin Neurosci. 2004 Winter;16(1):19-28.

Acupuncture increases nocturnal melatonin secretion and reduces insomnia and anxiety: a preliminary report.

Spence DW1, Kayumov L, Chen A, Lowe A, Jain U, Katzman MA, Shen J, Perelman B, Shapiro CM. 

[2] Forsch Komplementarmed. 1999 Feb;6 Suppl 1:29-31.

[Acupuncture and insomnia].