Acupuncture for Insomnia

Insomnia is a frequent issue that affects more than a quarter of the adult population in the United States. It's happened to all of us: you're exhausted and all you want to do is burrow into bed and sleep forever, but instead of doing so, you lie there thinking...and waiting. It might make it difficult to fall asleep or stay asleep all night, and in certain circumstances, it can be our greatest nightmare; it can effect both. Many people around the world are affected by the Sandman's battles, making it difficult to go through the day with your daily tasks.

Causes and Effects Insomnia has a variety of causes, but the majority of cases are caused by emotional concerns like depression, anxiety or PTSD. Other causes of sleep issues can stem from medications, alcohol, caffeine, some foods substances, or neurological problems.

Insomnia can also be the result of health issues:

• Chronic Pain Due to Arthritis, Headaches, Injuries

• Asthma or COPD

• Digestive Disorders: GERD or Heartburn

• Sleep Apnea

• Hot Flashes or Menopause in Women

• Restless Leg Syndrome

Insomnia can be eased or even resolved once the underlying cause is identified. Chronic sleep deprivation, if ignored or accepted as your "normal" sleep pattern, might damage your cognitive, social, and occupational functions. A loss of mental clarity, as well as an inability to focus or solve problems, increases daily stress and, as a result, your emotional well-being.

What Exactly Is Insomnia? Insomniacs have a variety of symptoms, including difficulties falling asleep, sleeping in short bursts, and waking up frequently throughout the night. When you wake up feeling weary, as if you haven't slept at all, you aren't receiving enough restorative sleep, which is bad for your health. If this occurs at least three times per week for more than a month, welcome to the world of chronic insomnia.

Acupuncture To The Rescue

Good news: acupuncture greatly reduces insomnia! New acupuncture patients are often amazed by how relaxed they feel after an acupuncture treatment. Many patients routinely fall asleep during their Orlando acupuncture treatments! This is thanks to the effects of acupuncture’s in regulating the nervous system.

In a 2013 clinical trial with insomniacs, researchers evaluated the efficacy of acupuncture with a sleeping pill placebo, sleeping pills with "sham" acupuncture (needles put into non-acupuncture locations), and false acupuncture with a placebo pill. Overall, the acupuncture group without medication had the best results in terms of reported improved sleep quality, vitality, normal daytime functioning, and decreased weariness. Another study compared utilizing only sleep hygiene procedures like the ones mentioned above versus using the strategies plus acupuncture in pregnant women suffering from insomnia. Over an eight-week period, their findings revealed that acupuncture combined with proper sleep hygiene reduced total insomnia by 50%.

Women diagnosed with acupuncture owing to menopause were given either regular acupuncture or fake acupuncture twice a week for 5 weeks in a research trial. The real acupuncture group experienced a decreased incidence of sadness, better sleep quality, and a higher quality of life, according to the findings. Auricular acupuncture, or needles put into sites on the ear, was used in a research with elderly persons with sleeplessness in Korea. The participants' sleeplessness was shown to be significantly reduced as a result of the study's findings. Furthermore, the acupuncture's effects were felt for additional two weeks after it was conducted.

Restorative Sleep is Essential to Your Physical and Emotional Health and Well-Being

Common lifestyle tips are helpful but studies show that these changes in routine are even more successful with the addition of acupuncture treatments. Acupuncture has a cumulative effect. Consistent weekly appointments for approximately 4-6 weeks should give you progressive improvement with insomnia. Regular sleep keeps your weight in check, makes your skin glow, promotes proper immune system functions. Sleep supports brain health, reduces risk for dementia, lowers your blood pressure which reduces your risk for heart disease. Also it is extremely important to your mental and physical state as this is when your body is regenerating and healing itself while you rest. Proper sleep supports mood, mental focus, cognitive function, and more.

Work with a licensed acupuncturist to find the root cause of your sleep issues. The Points of Health in Orlando, Florida will create a treatment plan specifically for you. This may include a combination of acupuncture, cupping, herbs, and nutrition. Book an appointment now!