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Experiencing Insomnia? Try Acupuncture!
Are you having trouble getting to sleep? Do you find staying asleep difficult? Have you experienced insomnia throughout your life? Are you looking for natural remedies without becoming dependent on medication(s)? Acupuncture can help provide the relief you seek and help you to get a better night’s sleep!
Insomnia is one of the more common ailments we treat at Above & Beyond Acupuncture. Recently, we have observed an increase in the amount of patients who have reported suffering from this condition. Traditional Chinese Medicine is very effective at treating this issue, yet large portions of the population are unaware of this as an option. We wanted to share some information about what insomnia is, how common it is and how effective acupuncture can be at providing relief.
What is insomnia?
The Mayo Clinic defines insomnia as a persistent disorder that can make it difficult to fall asleep, hard to stay asleep or both, despite having the opportunity for adequate sleep. With insomnia, an individual will wake up and not feel refreshed, which will take a toll on their ability to function throughout the day. Insomnia has the ability not only to reduce energy levels but it can also have a negative effect on overall health, emotions and quality of life. [Link]
It is important to note that insomnia is not always defined by the number of hours a person sleeps. This is due to the fact that each individual can require a different amount of sleep. It is generally accepted that 7 to 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep is a sufficient amount for most people.
How common is insomnia?
Sleep is one of the most important factors when it comes to maintaining good health, as every human being requires a sufficient amount of it to function properly. Getting enough quality sleep time can become an issue at some point in almost everyone’s life. Here are some statistics that help to exemplify how prevalent insomnia has become in the 21st century: [Link]
· More than 30% of the population suffers from insomnia.
· Adults sleep 20% less (on average) than they did 100 years ago.
· 1 in 3 people suffers from some form of insomnia during their lifetime.
· More than half of Americans lose sleep due to stress and/or anxiety.
· Between 40% and 60% of people over the age of 60 suffer from insomnia.
· Approximately 10 million people in the U.S. use prescription sleep aids.
· People who suffer from sleep deprivation are 27% more likely to become overweight or obese.
What are some ways to treat insomnia?
Pharmaceutical companies have taken note of the increase in the population reporting insomnia and now offer a variety of prescription and over-the-counter medications. Many of these drugs have undesirable side effects, but for those who suffer with insomnia any opportunity to get a decent night’s rest is worth the risk. One of the common issues reported by those taking sleep medication is feeling foggy headed and spaced out throughout the day.
Many people prefer to seek out natural ways to heal themselves by using foods, supplements and/or lifestyle changes. In a previous blog post titled “Home Remedies For Insomnia” we presented some natural solutions that individuals can use to improve their sleep. We suggest that you take a moment to read through this article if you’re having trouble sleeping and are interested in natural and safe home remedies.
One of the most effective ways of treating insomnia is by getting acupuncture. Traditional Chinese Medicine, which includes acupuncture and Chinese herbs, has been around for thousands of years providing relief to people experiencing a wide variety of health issues, including insomnia. The basis of this medicine is to treat the root cause while also tending to the symptoms being exhibited. This method is holistic and will provide immediate and long lasting relief.
Can acupuncture treat insomnia?
The National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) published a study that was comprised of 46 randomized trials involving 3,811 patients in an effort to determine if acupuncture could effectively treat insomnia. They found that acupuncture was superior to sleep medications. The data also revealed that there were no adverse effects reported by the patients in the study. The conclusion reached was that acupuncture does appear to be an effective treatment for insomnia. [Link]
Many other studies have been completed, and some are currently being performed which will lend more support to how effective Traditional Chinese Medicine is at treating insomnia. It is our hope that in the future, acupuncture will be used as a primary means of treatment, surpassing prescription and over-the-counter medication(s) and enabling patients in need to avoid the dangerous side effects of these drugs.
If you, or someone you know, is interested in using acupuncture to relieve insomnia, we strongly urge you to only receive treatment from a licensed acupuncturist. Chiropractors, naturopaths, physical therapists and medical doctors are not licensed acupuncturists, unless they also attended acupuncture school and are licensed by national and local acupuncture boards. This is an important topic, so we hope you can take a moment to read our blog post titled “The Importance Of Receiving Acupuncture From A Licensed Acupuncturist.”
You no longer need to suffer through sleepless nights or become dependent on medications to help you get to bed. Acupuncture can provide the relief you seek! If you’re in the Scottsdale, Phoenix, Tempe, Chandler or Mesa neighborhoods, we recommend you come in for a treatment at Above & Beyond Acupuncture. Call us or schedule an appointment online today.
