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Insomnia

Insomnia can take many forms and symptoms include inability to get to sleep, frequent waking, early morning waking, restlessness, bad dreams or nightmares, night sweats, polyuria (night-time urination) or any combination of these. Naturally, stress and anxiety are often involved. Frequently there is an inability to 'switch off' the mind.

Conventional treatment is limited. Sleeping tablets carry the risk of psychological and/or physical addiction, tend to get less effective the more they are used, and often have other side-effects. Drugs used include benzodiazepines, anti-depressants and even anti-psychotics. Side effects can include mania, schizophrenia, anger, impulsivity, anxiety, nausea, diarrhoea, headaches, loss of libido, erectile problems, dry mouth, blurred vision, drowsiness, dizziness, tremors, skin rash, and weight gain or loss.

In Chinese medicine there is no single treatment for insomnia as each person's individual pattern is assessed to work out the root cause of the problem. Often the causes are complex, and in these cases an integrated approach is normally best. Tui na massage and/or acupuncture are generally useful to regulate the system, relieve stress and calm the mind. Often nutritional advice to remove stimulating or aggravating substances is helpful. You may also benefit from learning some relaxation techniques or qi gong exercises to practice at home.

Using the integrated approach allows for a flexible treatment plan that deals with all the different factors that are causing sleep disturbance, resulting in an effective treatment that starts to work straight away.

A review of the research carried out in Hong Kong concluded that traditional acupuncture was significantly more effective than benzodiazepines for treating insomnia. In one study five weeks of acupuncture treatment for insomnia was associated with significant improvements in a variety of sleep determinants, reduction in anxiety and an increase in melatonin secretion.

For more information, or to book your free 15 minute consultation, contact me.

  


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