Poor sleep is literally exhausting. Difficultly falling asleep and/ or staying asleep takes a toll on the body and the brain. Insomnia is a sleeping disorder that affects 1 in 10 Americans and around half of all seniors. It is often more prevalent in women. Insomnia covers a range of sleep patterns including an inability to fall asleep, waking up during the night, restless sleep, waking up too early in the morning, and dream-disturbed sleep. Stress, anxiety, depression, environmental change, extreme temperatures, a change in sleeping and waking schedule, caffeine, alcohol, side effects of medications, cigarette smoking, excessive napping in the afternoon or evening, and certain health conditions may all contribute to insomnia. Some of these contributing factors are behavioral and require avoiding simple lifestyle choices, leading to a sound night’s sleep. Others are not as easy to control and need treatment. Most adults need 8 hours of sleep to feel rested. As a person ages less sleep is needed, usually around 6 hours after the age of 60. There are different degrees of insomnia. Transient insomnia is short term and may last anywhere from a single night to a few weeks. Intermittent insomnia comes and goes. Chronic or constant insomnia lasts for a month or more.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) perspective, insomnia may be caused by energetic imbalances of the heart, spleen, liver, and/ or kidneys. The following explanations are not to be taken literally, but can give perspective. Traditional Chinese Medicine believes that the mind is consciousness in the day, and at night the mind rests in the heart. If there is an imbalance with the heart such as a deficiency or pathogenic excess, the mind cannot rest and is bounced between consciousness and rest, creating a sleepless or restless night. In Chinese Medicine, the spleen is responsible for blood production and the dispersion of energy throughout the body. If the spleen’s energy is weak it cannot nourish the heart with blood and will not allow the mind to rest peacefully at night. Energetic imbalances with the liver may also lead to insomnia and dream-disturbed sleep. Emotional depression can cause an energetic blockage or stagnation that directly affects the liver and with time can create fire that rises up to the head, disturbing the mind and creating insomnia. TCM also believes that insomnia can be a result of an energetic imbalance dealing with the kidneys. The kidneys have a water energy that cools the heart. If this water fails to ascend smoothly to cool the heart energy, this can create an imbalance leading to the flaring of heart fire unsettling the mind, causing insomnia.
A licensed acupuncturist can diagnose and treat insomnia, according to the individual, based on the theories of Traditional Chinese Medicine by starting with thorough intake questions, observing of the tongue, and feeling the pulses on both wrists. Traditional Chinese Medicine can treat insomnia through acupuncture and herbs. Acupuncture treatments and herbal regimens vary from person to person, treating the body as a whole and addressing conditions based on the individual. As a general nutritional recommendation it is best to avoid spicy, greasy, fatty foods, caffeine, alcohol, and processed foods. Dietary recommendations are based on the individual according to the diagnosis. A tea of chamomile, peppermint, hops, catnip, yarrow and skullcap is often helpful for relaxation and in the treatment of sleep disorders and can be drunk before bedtime. It is advised that people with allergies to ragweed avoid chamomile completely.
Double-blind trials involving valerian, valerian/lemon balm combinations and valerian/hops combinations have indicated the potential to support the onset of sleep as well as healthy sleep quality. Other supplements used for insomnia can include melatonin, which helps facilitate the onset of sleep and sleep efficiency. GABA and l-theanine are used for their ability to promote alpha wave production in the brain, an indication of relaxation.
Element offers acupuncture for insomnia as well as a wide range of herbs and supplements. Best-Rest by Pure Encapsulations is currently a bestseller on our shelf. This formula contains passionflower, lemon balm, chamomile, and hops as well as melatonin, GABA and l-theanine. An Mian Pian (Peaceful Sleeping Pills) is also another option based on the theory of Chinese Medicine. An Mian Pian calms the mind and the spirit and clears heat allowing the mind to calm and rest. We offer a choice of several formulas. Let us help you get a good night’s sleep!
Contributor
Acupuncturist, herbalist, Maya abdominal practitioner, and reflexologist Christina Morris is the founder of Element Natural Healing Arts. Writing about health and wellness gives her an outlet to express her care and concern for her beloved community. She believes everyone can achieve better health and happiness–emotionally, physically, mentally, and spiritually.