Insomnia is commonly encountered in clinical practice. It refers to difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep. This difficulty includes not being able to sleep at all, trouble getting to sleep, waking up in the night with difficulty returning to sleep, restless sleep and/or waking up too early in the morning.

The problem might last a short while and be the result of some situational factors such as anxiety over a big test. Or, insomnia can be long-lasting and more serious. If insomnia persists and the loss of sleep begins to interfere with a person’s ability to function during the day, the condition could require professional treatment. People with insomnia can experience fatigue, lack of energy, morning headaches, poor concentration, loss of productivity and irritability.

Acupuncture is a simple and useful treatment for insomnia, with a success rate of around 90%. The acupuncture points applied vary depending on the doctor and on the case, but the usual points are Shenmen (HT7) and Anmien (extrapoint). The mechanism of this treatment has not been well elucidated. Acupuncture analgesia may be used as a great indicator, because in both practices needles are inserted in deep tissues as the common stimulation. The possible neuronal integration and transmitter effect in the acupuncture treatment for insomnia are discussed.

Causes of Insomnia

Insomnia can be brought on in a number of ways, including:

  • Stress
  • Life changes
  • Irregular work schedules
  • Too much coffee or tea intake
  • Medical issues such as pain, high blood pressure, hyperthyroidism
  • Mental disorders such as depression or anxiety
  • Elderly people who need less sleep
  • Over-the-counter drugs that contain stimulants

Approach

In many cases insomnia is a result of disruption of our body’s circadian rhythm, the cyclic variation of physiological rhythm which occurs in an approximately 24 hour period. One or a combination of the following approaches may be used to reset the biological clock:

  • Acupuncture
  • Tai Qi and Qi gong
  • Meditation like breathing exercise
  • Nutritional supplementation and dietary modifications