Treatment for Insomnia with Acupuncture and Alternative Medicine

Millions of Americans suffer from insomnia that can be attributed to a variety of causes.

Restless sleep in modern society—which moves at such a fast pace day in and day out—may be a major cause of insomnia. Our society emphasizes doing more than being. From an acupuncture perspective, the yin aspect of life is significantly depleted for the average modern American. In case you are not familiar with the term yin and yang, these are the polar forces reflected in everything in the natural world. Yang is related to movement, accomplishment, and function. Yin is related to stillness, tranquility, and contemplation. We need yin and yang to be in balance in order to experience health and wellbeing.

When we are yin deficient, we easily become irritable, excessively busy, and restless. We end up compromising our ability to rest and restore, and we never seem to get a break from the constant activity in our minds and our lives.

We don’t know how—or have forgotten how—to turn our minds off due to the frantic speed of everything around us, and we have become yin deficient as a result. Another way to look at stress is through the sympathetic nervous system, recognizing that it is often on overdrive. We are stuck in fight-or-flight mode as we try to keep up with our hectic schedules and myriad responsibilities. We have excessive amounts of adrenaline and cortisol in our systems, which keep us feeling amped up and unable to rest.

Within the pattern of yin deficiency and a hyperactive sympathetic nervous system, we often feel anxious, thirsty, too warm, and dried out. This pattern is particularly common in women during menopause. Because we are in fight-or-flight mode, we sometimes can’t even tell if we are tired. We may feel a deep exhaustion that penetrates into our bones, or on the other extreme, we might feel wired or manic.

There are numerous other reasons that contribute to insomnia, but this is the primary issue many people are facing. Other potential causes include nutritional, hormonal, and energetic imbalances, repressed emotions, and relationship issues.

Here Are a Few of the Top All-Natural Treatment Options for Insomnia:

1) Acupuncture

All of the major organs of the body are related to specific insomnia patterns. For example, if a person has a liver/gallbladder insomnia pattern, they are often kept awake by strategizing, planning, and mentally scheduling their lives at night. This person may not be able to turn off their mind unless they read or watch television before bed.

There are also insomnia patterns related to the heart, lung, spleen, and kidney, each with specific manifestations. Acupuncture is excellent at treating insomnia regardless of its etiology. For chronic insomnia, we typically recommend receiving acupuncture once a week for 4–6 weeks, after which we assess progress.

Acupuncture helps restore balance to the central nervous system and harmonize Qi (chee), the functional energy underlying our overall state of health. Over time, Qi can become stagnant—meaning energy is blocked—or deficient—meaning there is not enough energy. Both patterns may cause insomnia, and both are treatable with acupuncture.

2) Herbs

Chinese and Western herbs can be very helpful in treating insomnia. Chinese herbs are typically combined into formulas that address specific patterns of disharmony. Combining Chinese herbs with acupuncture is highly effective, as one modality treats insomnia externally while the other treats it internally.

Western herbs are also used, though they are more commonly taken as stand-alone remedies rather than formulas. One benefit of the herbs listed below is that they do not cause the drowsiness or disorientation often associated with Western sedative drugs.

• Valerian: Has mild sedative properties that relax the nervous system and calm the mind.

• Chamomile: Has a mild tranquilizing effect that soothes all major systems of the body.

• Kava: A highly prized medicinal used to alleviate anxiety and promote deeper sleep; however, if you have adrenal exhaustion or kidney issues, consult a physician before using.

There are also a variety of Chinese herbal formulas used to treat insomnia. Some formulas we commonly use address insomnia with symptoms such as difficulty concentrating, slow memory recall, low energy, anxiety, depression, night sweats, and nightmares. Other formulas address insomnia rooted in irritability and restlessness. Still others are used when symptoms include low back pain, anxiety, excess thirst, night sweats, and a sensation of heat in the body.

3) Meditation

Meditation is deeply restorative and can replicate many of the benefits of sleep. In fact, meditation is often considered even more beneficial because it can lead to a state of non-thought, which many spiritual traditions describe as the deepest state of relaxation and healing possible. During sleep, the mind continues processing and dreaming.

If you have trouble falling asleep, we recommend spending 15 minutes meditating before bed, which often helps people fall asleep faster and sleep more peacefully.

4) Yoga

Practiced for centuries throughout the Eastern world, yoga has gained tremendous popularity in the West. There are many styles of yoga, and we encourage experimenting to find the one that best suits your needs.

If practicing at home, we recommend 15–20 minutes of restorative poses—such as downward dog, child’s pose, plow pose, corpse pose, shoulder stand, and standing forward bend—before bed. Combined with seated meditation, this can significantly support nervous system healing.

5) Nutritional Recommendations

Caffeine
Caffeine is one of the most common contributors to insomnia. If you drink coffee, we recommend either eliminating it temporarily or switching to green tea. Coffee is very stimulating, warming, and irritating to the colon, liver, and nervous system, which can interfere with healing insomnia. Green tea is cooling, soothing to the gut and nervous system, and rich in antioxidants. While it still contains caffeine, it is a much gentler option.

Sugar
Sugar is another major contributor to sleep disturbances. Regular sugar intake disrupts insulin and glucose regulation, potentially leading to hypoglycemia or pre-diabetic symptoms. Blood sugar has a profound impact on nervous system health. To keep blood sugar balanced, avoid white sugar or consume it only after protein. Sugar also causes systemic inflammation, which can impair our ability to relax and restore.

Alcohol
Some people believe alcohol helps them sleep, but if you struggle with insomnia and drink regularly, we recommend eliminating alcohol for several weeks to see if sleep improves. Alcohol disrupts blood sugar and can irritate the liver and nervous system. Many people are sensitive to alcohol without realizing it.

The Ideal Diet for Insomnia

The most effective nutritional approach for healing insomnia—and many chronic health conditions—is an organic, whole-foods diet rich in antioxidants, essential fatty acids, and fiber, while minimizing processed foods, sugar, and refined carbohydrates.

Nutritional Supplements

• Melatonin: Can help with falling asleep, though its effectiveness for staying asleep remains debated.

• Fish Oil: Essential fatty acids support emotional and mental health and can complement insomnia treatment.

• 5-HTP: A precursor to serotonin, commonly used for anxiety, depression, and insomnia.

It is extremely rare for these natural options to cause the side effects commonly seen with Western sedatives, such as grogginess, mood changes, or disturbed dreaming. We often observe improvements in overall health when patients use one or more of these approaches.

Insomnia is very treatable using this combination of therapies. In particular, we highly recommend acupuncture if you have never tried it before. It is also important to note that the quality of nutritional products varies widely. We only use pharmaceutical-grade products that undergo thorough clinical testing. Paying more for higher-quality products and working with a qualified healthcare professional can make a significant difference in results.

For more information or to schedule a consultation, please call our office to set up an appointment.