Sleep disorders

Acupuncture is widely used to treat sleep difficulties, including insomnia, trouble falling asleep, and poor sleep quality. It works through several mechanisms that regulate the body’s natural sleep cycles, improve relaxation and reduce stress-related sleep disturbances.

Most people have the occasional night tossing and turning because they cannot sleep.

Insomnia is a symptom of a sleep disorder described as frequent problems getting to sleep or staying asleep despite having the chance to do so.

Naturally people who cannot sleep are unable to perform at their best due to chronic tiredness.

Insomnia it should be noted is 1.4 times more common in women than in men and can become worse with age.

To talk to Richard about how acupuncture might help you personally and to see his clinic locations, click here for contact and location information.

Case History

A woman in her twenties had been finding that in recent months it was taking her between one and two hours to get to sleep and she was waking early and unable to get back to sleep. She found acupuncture treatment quickly addressed the inability to get to sleep and over a period of treatments her ability to remain asleep until her desired time returned.

1. Regulating Neurotransmitters for Sleep

Acupuncture is believed to balance brain chemicals that play key roles in sleep, including:

• Melatonin – Acupuncture can increase melatonin levels. Studies have shown that acupuncture can enhance night time melatonin secretion, which helps regulate the sleep-wake cycle and improve sleep quality.
• Adenosine – is increased by acupuncture. Adenosine has 2 useful functions relating to sleep difficulties. Adenosine modulates sleep but is also the body’s anti-inflammatory agent, helping to reduce pain and thereby making sleep easier. Also….

• Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA) – This neurotransmitter promotes calmness and relaxation. Acupuncture may enhance GABA activity, leading to a more restful state.
• Serotonin & Dopamine – These neurotransmitters help regulate mood and sleep. Acupuncture may boost their levels, reducing stress and improving sleep quality.

Evidence: A study found that acupuncture significantly increased night time melatonin secretion, leading to better sleep onset, duration, and efficiency in individuals with insomnia (PubMed).

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2. Reducing Cortisol and Stress Hormones

High levels of cortisol (the stress hormone) interfere with sleep. Acupuncture helps lower cortisol, reducing the body’s ‘fight-or-flight’ response and promoting a relaxed, ‘sleep-ready’ state.

Clinical Study: Research has shown that acupuncture can reduce night time cortisol levels, improving sleep quality and reducing night time awakenings (PMC).

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3. Activating the Parasympathetic Nervous System

Acupuncture stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system (responsible for relaxation and digestion) and reduces overactivity in the sympathetic nervous system (responsible for stress and alertness). This shift helps:

• Slow heart rate and breathing.
• Induce a deeper state of relaxation
• Reduce racing thoughts (that prevent sleep).

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4. Improving Blood Flow and Oxygenation

Acupuncture increases blood circulation and oxygen flow, which may:

• Reduce tension and restlessness.
• Improve muscle relaxation, making it easier to fall asleep.

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5. Alleviating Pain and Discomfort

If pain or discomfort interferes with sleep, acupuncture can help by:

• Releasing endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers.
• Reducing inflammation and tension.
• Improving muscle and joint relaxation, making sleep more comfortable.

There are three different types of insomnia:

• Transient insomnia may be just a few nights or go on for weeks. It may occur because of another medical problem or worries or anxiety about something you are going through at that time. Stress, anxiety and depression can all cause this kind of sleep difficulty
• Acute insomnia is characterized by being unable to sleep from between 3 weeks and 6 months.
• Chronic insomnia can go on for years at a time. Sometimes it is caused by another condition or it may come alone. Chronic insomnia can leave people sleepy during the day, feeling weak muscularly, in extreme cases hallucinations, or mental fatigue can occur however chronic insomnia sufferers frequently show increased mental alertness. Some people have a sense that they are watching things in slow motion. Things that are moving seem to become one. Double vision may also occur.

• To talk to Richard about how acupuncture might help you personally and to see his clinic locations, click here for contact and location information.

Insomnia can present in quite different ways often for similar reasons:

• Problems getting to sleep at the start of the night often stems from an anxiety disorder and frequently responds very well to acupuncture.
• Insomnia that keeps someone awake after waking in the night or too early to get up can be called nocturnal awakenings. This falls into middle and terminal insomnia see below. This will often be treated well with acupuncture.
• Terminal (or late) insomnia – early morning waking. This can be a symptom of depression. Acupuncture has a great record for treating mild to moderate depression. From a scientific perspective the neurological changes that occur during and after acupuncture explain how acupuncture can help. There is a large amount of research freely available for this on the internet.

Why else to choose Acupuncture? :

• Very Low risk: Acupuncture is very safe when performed by a trained professional.
• Naturally calming: Many people feel deeply relaxed during or after treatment (often falling asleep during treatment).
• Drug-free: It helps the body heal without medication or potentially worrying side effects.
• Minimal discomfort: Needles are hair-thin and usually painless.
• Mild effects only: Rare side effects include slight redness or brief bruising