Relatively little is known about how chronic sleeplessness works or why it disproportionately affects women and people over the age of 65. Roughly 60 million Americans are affected by the sleep disorder each year – as those who suffer with insomnia can tell you, the effect on daily routines can be devastating.
Chronic insomnia is more than just a “bad night’s sleep.” The cumulative effect and long-term wear on your system when healthy sleep is disrupted on a regular basis can have debilitating consequences for those who experience sleep deprivation on a regular basis.
Issues & Long-term Effects of Insomnia
• Tiredness, lethargy and/or exhaustion
• Inability to concentrate and focus
• Depression and mood disorders
• At risk for falling asleep at the wheel
• Compromised immunity, leading to more serious health issues
While each patient is different, the improvement our acupuncture patients see in these areas makes it possible for them to enjoy life again, be more effective at work, and improve their general health and well-being.
Insomnia can be acute (short-term) or chronic (long-term) and can come and go depending on other factors – including depression, anxiety, stress, pain, high blood pressure, sleep disorders (like sleep apnea), and changes in one’s sleep routine. There have been numerous studies that support the use of acupuncture to treat insomnia. Acupuncture has been shown to increase nighttime Melatonion which improves sleep. The patients who received acupuncture also fell asleep faster, were less aroused at night, and were less stressed.
Successful Insomnia Treatment with Acupuncture
The essential components of and effective treatment for insomnia are to find a qualified acupuncturist with whom you “connect” – it needs to be a good fit for you. The ability to be open, comfortable, confident and honest with your practitioner is very important. It is also important to give it a reasonable number of treatments before you decide if it’s working. Since there are so many factors affecting an individual’s sleep patterns (environmental, medical, hormonal, etc.), it may take a little time. I tell my patients that three treatments is a good test number. We can always start with a phone call.
If you have specific questions about Insomnia and how acupuncture can bring relief, we hope you will be in touch. Nancy is available for a Free Initial Consultation so that you can determine if this is the right fit for you. Feel free to call 408-578-0106 or Email Nancy via our Contact Page.
