Insomnia affects at least 10% of people at any given point in time,1 and can become a serious problem if not addressed.
While sleeping pills can occasionally be helpful under a doctor’s advice, they can become less effective over time, form addictive patterns, and fail to address the underlying cause.2
From a Chinese Medicine perspective, poor sleep is considered to be caused either by heat accumulated in the body. The heat is due to deficiency of blood and/or yin (fluid) in the body, or, excessive generation internally or consumption externally.
In cases of deficiency, more common in women and the elderly, the body cannot regulate heat properly, causing an accumulation of heat in the upper body, specifically the brain. This leads to an inability to properly rest at night.
For those suffering from an imbalance which prevents the relaxation needed to sleep, stress and overeating can create excess heat. This is often seen in teenagers and young people, and those in high-stress occupations.
The Chinese Medicine approach to insomnia is holistic and looks at all potential factors. At Acuwell, your practitioner will not only perform a physical assessment, but will take the time to ask about your lifestyle, schedule, stressors, diet, and other considerations.
Treatment is personalised to the individual and will be tailored to individual deficiencies and excesses which need a remedy. Methods including acupuncture and herbal tea/medicine are commonly used and are designed to promote relaxation while restoring the body to good health.
If you are suffering from poor sleeping habits and insomnia, Chinese Medicine can assist in promoting restful sleep and restoring balance.3 Consider an appointment at Acuwell to discuss your situation and the best treatment for you.
References
- Insomnia. (2011). Sleep Health Foundation. Available at: http://sleephealthfoundation.org.au/pdfs/Insomnia.pdf.
- Safe use of sleeping pills. (2018). Health Direct. Available at: https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/safe-use-of-sleeping-pills.
- Singh, A. and Zhao, K. (2017). Treatment of Insomnia With Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine. International Review of Neurobiology, 135, pp.97-115. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28807167#.
Resources
For more information about insomnia, try the following resources: