Acupuncture for insomnia
You can't force sleep. The body settles into it once it feels safe, and acupuncture helps set up those conditions.
Insomnia usually isn't the whole story. It tends to grow out of something else: stress, a mind that won't switch off, pain, hormones, or a rhythm that's slipped. Pushing yourself to sleep or leaning on sleep aids handles the surface and leaves the cause.
Acupuncture works by settling the nervous system and dealing with whatever is keeping you up. Many patients fall asleep faster and wake less within a few weeks, and our case notes show the same.
Symptoms we treat
If any of these sound like your experience, acupuncture is worth a conversation. This isn't a diagnosis, your first visit is.
Why acupuncture works here
Three layers at once, local, segmental, and central, chosen for what your body is asking for.
From first visit to plan
Every patient gets the same unhurried four-beat rhythm, the first visit includes a consultation.
The clinical picture
Insomnia disorders can be categorized as follows:
- Neurotic Insomnia: Related to neuroses such as anxiety and depression.
- Psychotic Insomnia: Stemming from emotional disorders, schizophrenia, or other psychiatric conditions.
- Substance-Induced Insomnia: Caused by drug or alcohol dependency.
- Organic Insomnia: Due to structural brain disorders.
- Insomnia in Dementia: Often observed in elderly patients with dementia.
- Physical Factor-Induced Insomnia: Related to infections, pain, endocrine disorders, etc.
- Environmental Factor-Induced Insomnia: Triggered by environmental changes or disruptions.
Insomnia is not an isolated condition but rather a symptom that arises from underlying causes. The key to treatment lies in accurately identifying and addressing these root causes, a principle shared by both modern Western medicine and traditional Eastern medicine. It's important to avoid the overuse of sleep-inducing medications without proper consideration. Medications for insomnia are typically prescribed based on symptoms such as difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking up too early. Currently, benzodiazepine derivatives are the most commonly prescribed drugs for insomnia, though other medications may also be used.
From the perspective of traditional Korean medicine, sleep disorders, particularly insomnia, are believed to be closely related to the liver's function and the interaction between the liver and the kidneys. The condition of the heart's fire (심화) and liver's fire (간화) must also be carefully assessed to determine the appropriate treatment approach.
Relationship Between Etiology and Symptoms
- Sudden incidents or minor worries causing insomnia are often attributed to Heart Deficiency (심허).
- Excessive mental activity or unresolved excitement from the day can result in insomnia due to Heart Fire Hyperactivity (심화왕성).
- Aging, chronic illnesses, or cold conditions may cause insomnia, often indicating Kidney Yang Deficiency (신양허) or Kidney Yin Deficiency (신음허), depending on severity.
- Aging, mental exhaustion, physical overwork, post-surgery, or anemia-related insomnia is often linked to Heart Blood Deficiency (심혈허) or Heart and Gallbladder Qi Deficiency (심담기허) and sometimes Spleen and Kidney Deficiency (비신허).
- Stress and hypertension-related insomnia may be due to Spleen Deficiency (비허) or Heart and Spleen Yang Deficiency (심비양허).
- Chronic stress and excessive mental strain often cause insomnia due to Liver Qi Stagnation (간기울결), Liver Fire (간화), or the production of Phlegm Dampness (담음).
- Overeating, chronic gastrointestinal disorders, or inherent stomach weakness can lead to insomnia due to Stomach Qi Deficiency (위기부족).
- Other pathological factors, such as Qi Stagnation (기의 정체), Phlegm, Phlegm Dampness, or Blood Stasis (혈어), can also contribute to insomnia. Therefore, treating the underlying condition is essential.
In conclusion, traditional Korean medicine emphasizes treating the root cause of insomnia, aiming to restore the balance between the body's various systems.
眠 sleep
Read myeon in Korean. Hanja are learned meaning first, then sound, so this one is 잘 면.