What is insomnia?
Overall, about 14.5% of adults struggle to fall asleep, and 17.8% have trouble staying asleep, as reported in U.S. adults based on the 2020 NHIS data.
Sleep is a fundamental human need. Insomnia isn’t just about difficulty sleeping; it can impact your entire well-being. If you find yourself tossing and turning at night, you might experience daytime dizziness, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and a weakened immune system. In essence, it’s a condition that affects your entire body and life.
Insomnia manifests in three main ways, and people often shift between them:
- Initial (sleep onset) insomnia: Trouble falling asleep, taking longer than 30 minutes after going to bed.
- Middle (maintenance) insomnia: Waking up in the middle of the night, but able to fall back asleep (more than 5 times, more than 30 minutes).
- Late (early waking) insomnia: Waking up too early in the morning and not being able to fall back asleep.
Apart from impacting sleep, insomnia can increase the risk of heart attack, stroke, obesity, and high blood pressure. So, seeking treatment is crucial for your overall health, not just for better sleep.
Can Acupuncture Help with Insomnia?
Yes! Many studies confirm the effectiveness of acupuncture in treating insomnia. An added benefit is its ability to reduce side effects. Unlike medications that may cause difficulty concentrating and daytime fatigue, acupuncture actually reduces fatigue and enhances daytime brain function.
Intriguingly, recent studies shed light on the efficacy of acupuncture in improving/helping insomnia. One study, analyzing 46 randomized control trials (RCT) papers, revealed that acupuncture often increased sleep by more than 3 hours compared to drug treatment (Cao et al., 2009). When combined with drug treatment, acupuncture significantly increased total sleep time without causing daytime drowsiness or tiredness (Cao et al., 2009).
Moreover, another fascinating study, which focused on 180 patients with primary insomnia, demonstrated that acupuncture not only increased sleep time but also improved daytime function (Bowes & Bennett, 1985). What’s particularly intriguing is that the acupuncture group maintained better sleep for a longer period after treatment compared to the medication group.
Give it a try! We are here to help you.
The quest for restful sleep is not merely a pursuit of comfort but a journey toward optimal health and vitality. As we navigate the complexities of insomnia, we find promising results through the benefits of acupuncture, which is supported by various clinical studies. From enhancing sleep duration to improving daytime functioning, acupuncture offers a holistic approach without the adverse side effects associated with traditional treatment options. So, whether you find yourself struggling to drift off or lying awake at night, consider the potential of acupuncture as a beacon of hope in the realm of sleep disorders. Let’s embark on this journey together toward better sleep and overall well-being, one needle at a time.
Reference
Cao H, Pan X, Li H, Liu J. Acupuncture for treatment of insomnia: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials. J Altern Complement Med. 2009 Nov;15(11):1171-86. doi: 10.1089/acm.2009.0041. PMID: 19922248; PMCID: PMC3156618.
Guo J, Wang LP, Liu CZ, Zhang J, Wang GL, Yi JH, Cheng JL. Efficacy of acupuncture for primary insomnia: a randomized controlled clinical trial. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2013;2013:163850. doi: 10.1155/2013/163850. Epub 2013 Sep 18. PMID: 24159338; PMCID: PMC3789397.
DISCLAIMER – Link to the Whole Statement
While this blog offers helpful information, it’s not a substitute for medical advice. As individual’s health concerns are unique and require professional guidance, do not rely solely on online information for self-diagnosis or treatment. If you have health concerns, always consult a healthcare professional for personalized diagnosis and treatment.
