Some 32 million Americans suffer from insomnia. Insomnia is defined as compromised sleep followed by fatigue and other symptoms during the day. These include lethargy, difficulty concentrating, irritability and – as symptoms accumulate – depression and other debilitating syndromes.
Poor sleep is more than a nuisance; it can contribute to serious illness. A study conducted in 2008 by the CDC showed that people who suffer from chronic insomnia are predisposed to physical inactivity and obesity as well as health-damaging behaviors like smoking and drinking. Other studies connect sleep issues to major disease including cancer, heart disease and diabetes. Rest assured – these problems can be avoided with the judicious use of Oriental medicine, acupuncture and Chinese herbs.
Oriental Medicine and acupuncture aim to heal the whole person rather than individual symptoms, making it an ideal approach to sleep issues. In Oriental Medicine, the liver is tied to the nervous system. Stress is both a cause and effect of insomnia, weakening the liver, which in turn affects nervous system health — a vicious cycle!
Acupuncture, a key therapy in Oriental Medicine, is calming to the nervous system, freeing obstruction in pathways and stimulating the nourishing flow of qi. Acupuncture treats the root causes of insomnia until symptoms abate. Your acupuncture practitioner can prescribe a blend of Chinese herbs tailored to your particular constitution and sleep imbalances. Oriental Medicine, including acupuncture and Chinese herbs, is widely successful at treating sleep problems without the side effects of prescription or OTC sleep aids.
