What is it?
Everyone suffers from sleeplessness occasionally, but it is a problem when lack of adequate sleep affects our lives. Chronic insomnia can lead to other health problems, and even mild insomnia can affect a person’s mental clarity and energy during the day. Insomnia is basically being unable to fall asleep, waking up early or excessive tossing and turning during the night.
How is if affecting us?
This health problem affects 2 out of 3 Americans! An article in USA Today (2011) reported insomnia costs the average person 11.3 days, or $2,280, in lost productivity each year. This translates to a $63.2 billion annual lost in US productivity. So, missing a little sleep is a big deal!
What are some treatments for it?
Don’t ignore getting help for chronic insomnia. Many approaches are available for addressing insomnia, including traditional Western medicine and complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). Sleeping pills like Ambien, tranquilizers, and even surgery are some traditional approaches. CAM approaches include massage, naturopathy, hypnosis, psycho-therapy, and acupuncture/Oriental medicine.
How can acupuncture and Oriental Medicine help?
The acupuncture/Oriental medicine approach is to balance the body. The acupuncturist will provide you support for optimizing normal blood levels and circulation while addressing any other underlying health problems. Your acupuncturist may recommend lifestyle, herbal supplements, and dietary changes. Each person is different, so the approach for you will be individualized.
What can you do on your own?
Establish and maintain a regular routine. Make the bedroom off-limits for electronic devices, television, and WORK. Exercise, drink plenty of water, and make certain you avoid stimulants (especially at nighttime). Most importantly, everyday try to reduce your stress and engage in meditation or quiet reflective time. Right before bedtime apply gentle pressure in a circular motion to the area on the palm-side of your forearm approximately two centimeters above the middle of your wrist. This point is called Neiguan, or P6, and it is a major acupuncture point for promoting relaxation, easing nausea, and treating insomnia.
Everyone suffers from sleeplessness occasionally, but it is a problem when lack of adequate sleep affects our lives. Chronic insomnia can lead to other health problems, and even mild insomnia can affect a person’s mental clarity and energy during the day. Insomnia is basically being unable to fall asleep, waking up early or excessive tossing and turning during the night.
How is if affecting us?
This health problem affects 2 out of 3 Americans! An article in USA Today (2011) reported insomnia costs the average person 11.3 days, or $2,280, in lost productivity each year. This translates to a $63.2 billion annual lost in US productivity. So, missing a little sleep is a big deal!
What are some treatments for it?
Don’t ignore getting help for chronic insomnia. Many approaches are available for addressing insomnia, including traditional Western medicine and complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). Sleeping pills like Ambien, tranquilizers, and even surgery are some traditional approaches. CAM approaches include massage, naturopathy, hypnosis, psycho-therapy, and acupuncture/Oriental medicine.
How can acupuncture and Oriental Medicine help?
The acupuncture/Oriental medicine approach is to balance the body. The acupuncturist will provide you support for optimizing normal blood levels and circulation while addressing any other underlying health problems. Your acupuncturist may recommend lifestyle, herbal supplements, and dietary changes. Each person is different, so the approach for you will be individualized.
What can you do on your own?
Establish and maintain a regular routine. Make the bedroom off-limits for electronic devices, television, and WORK. Exercise, drink plenty of water, and make certain you avoid stimulants (especially at nighttime). Most importantly, everyday try to reduce your stress and engage in meditation or quiet reflective time. Right before bedtime apply gentle pressure in a circular motion to the area on the palm-side of your forearm approximately two centimeters above the middle of your wrist. This point is called Neiguan, or P6, and it is a major acupuncture point for promoting relaxation, easing nausea, and treating insomnia.
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