Discover Natural Remedies for Insomnia
Gently bring your body back to a balanced state to resolve the issues holding you back from a natural, restful sleep.
Good Health Starts with Good Sleep
Poor sleep quality and/or insomnia can negatively affect nearly every aspect of your life. Lack of good sleep can hurt your ability to focus, increase stress, increase depression and/or anxiety, which can affect your life at work, school, and home. Prolonged issues with sleep can also lead to a number of health issues which can become more serious over time. We are here to help you address the causes of sleep issues so you can live a happier and healthier life.
Our Holistic Approach to Insomnia and Other Sleep Issues
Through the lens of traditional Chinese Medicine, there are many possible patterns that can cause insomnia. In general, insomnia is seen as an imbalance in the body. When your body is in balance, restful sleep comes naturally. From the time-tested 2,000 year old healing tradition of Chinese Medicine, we have several treatment approaches that can help improve your sleep. We will listen to your history and needs so we can tailor a treatment plan to you.
Acupuncture
Herbal Medicine
Cupping Therapy
Sleep and Insomnia Health Issues We Can Help You With
Sleep issues can include problems falling asleep, problems staying asleep, or problems with waking up too early and not being able to fall back asleep. Many people experience these issues for days or weeks at some point in their life (short-term insomnia). Others can experience chronic (long-term) insomnia, lasting for over a month. We’ll work with you to find a treatment plan that helps you get much-needed, rejuvenating sleep.
We treat a wide range of symptoms related to sleep and insomnia, including:
- Difficulty falling asleep at night
- Waking up during the night
- Waking up too early
- Waking to urinate
- Not feeling well-rested after a night’s sleep
- Daytime tiredness or sleepiness
- Irritability, depression, or anxiety
- Difficulty paying attention, focusing on tasks, or remembering (concentration and memory)
- Increased errors or accidents
- Ongoing worries about sleep
- Difficulty managing life stress
How We Help you Get Restful Sleep
We are all unique and require different things to be healthy, happy, and feel at peace. However, one thing we all need is a good night’s sleep. One person may only need seven hours, while another may need nine to feel their best, but we all need a good amount of restful sleep each night. Natural treatment for insomnia will help you find the balance in your body that will improve your sleep patterns and also treat those root causes of insomnia, such as stress or pain, that prevent quality sleep.
Acupuncture for Insomnia
Acupuncture helps normalize the functions of the body so that patients can both enter sleep easier and stay asleep. Treatments help to calm the mind, lower anxiety, reduce irritability, and address other symptoms that create roadblocks to achieving rejuvenating sleep. Acupuncture treatments also go beyond treating basic sleep inhibitors and work to address the root causes of insomnia, such as excess heat, stagnation of qi, racing thoughts, or agitation.
During treatment, patients can expect to have acupuncture needles placed on the lower legs, wrists, and sometimes elsewhere, such as the head or ears. Patients may begin to feel results within 2-3 weeks and experience sustained results in 2-3 months.
Chinese Herbal Medicine for Insomnia
Chinese herbal formulas treat sleep issues and insomnia from the inside out, providing the body with necessary nutrients to nourish the blood, rebalance hormonal levels, calm the mind, and anchor the spirit. The medicine also works to address the root causes of the issue, such as excess heat, stagnation of qi, racing thoughts, or agitation. Some herbal formulas are available in off the shelf products called patents and others can be formulated in a customized herbal formula to address other issues as well as insomnia.
We completely customize each formula for each individual patient, so we only prescribe or recommend a Chinese herb formula or patent after a detailed consultation. Successful treatment with Chinese herbs is entirely dependent upon an accurate diagnosis based on the patient’s constitution.
To maximize the effectiveness of a patient’s treatment, it is recommended that Chinese herbal medicine be combined with acupuncture treatments. Those that take this approach typically experience increased improvement of their symptoms, quicker results, and more sustained results. Patients who are taking Chinese herbal medicine are also more likely to be able to reduce the frequency of acupuncture treatment after 2-3 months.
Cupping for Insomnia
Cupping therapy promotes improved blood flow to reduce pain. During the session, cups are placed along the neck and shoulders to release tension that is caused by insomnia. Qi is now unblocked and helps to reduce pain response in these areas.
Cups are placed along the area of the body affected, including along the back, neck, shoulders, arms, or legs for about 15-20 minutes. As many as 12 to 15 cups and as little as 1 or 2 cups may be used at a time within treatment.
The amount of sessions recommended varies from patient to patient and depends on the focus of treatment. If a patient is using cupping therapy for pain relief, we recommend the sessions continue until pain is gone or greatly reduced.
Cupping Therapy Is Not for Everyone
While cupping can be a very beneficial practice, it is not appropriate for every patient or for the treatment of certain conditions. Your practitioner will discuss your medical history with you to determine if cupping is right for you. We also do not practice wet cupping and avoid cupping on certain parts of the body.
Helping You Sleep Again
Frequently Asked Questions
What Causes Insomnia?
Insomnia can be caused by certain medications, mental health disorders, medical conditions, and/or lifestyle habits. Some common triggers for insomnia include poor habits around bedtime (looking at a phone or tv screen too late), eating too much before bed, and disruption to normal sleep patterns due to travel or schedule.
Medications can have side effects that disrupt sleep and cause insomnia. Insomnia can also occur with certain mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety disorders, and posttraumatic stress disorder.
You may be able to treat insomnia by changing some lifestyle habits. You can improve sleep quality by keeping your bedtime routine the same, finding ways to manage stress, limiting alcohol consumption, avoiding caffeine and nicotine, and exercising during the day.
What Are the Symptoms of Insomnia?
Symptoms of insomnia include not being able to fall asleep, not being able to stay asleep, waking up early and not being able to fall asleep again, fatigue, depression, anxiety, trouble focusing, and forgetfulness.
Is Insomnia a Symptom of COVID?
Some long-term effects of COVID-19 might contribute to insomnia. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) does not list this sleep disorder as a common COVID-19 symptom.
Is Insomnia a Symptom of Depression?
Issues with sleep and insomnia can be a symptom of depression. Insomnia can worsen for those with depression and those that have insomnia may get depressed.
Is Insomnia a Symptom of Anxiety?
Anxiety can cause sleep issues and insomnia. Insomnia can worsen for those with anxiety and those that have insomnia may get anxiety.
Is Insomnia a PMS Symptom?
PMS can have a negative impact on your sleep. Many women report having insomnia during their menstrual cycle. Other women experiencing PMS may also sleep much more than normal.
Is Insomnia a Symptom of Pregnancy?
Many women experience sleep issues most commonly in their first and third trimesters. Changes to a woman’s body, such as an increased need to urinate, physical discomfort, anxiety, nausea, and/or heartburn can cause disruptions to sleep. As a result, many women experiencing those symptoms feel less rested and can be tired throughout the day.
Is Insomnia a Symptom of Menopause?
Women are already three times as likely to get insomnia as men are, with that likelihood increasing during menopause. Insomnia is found to affect 39 to 47 percent of perimenopausal women and 35 to 60 percent of postmenopausal women. Menopause symptoms such as hot flashes and headaches can also contribute to a lack of quality sleep.
Are Women More Likely to Have Insomnia?
Yes, women are more likely to have insomnia. Some studies found that the risk of insomnia is 40% higher for women. This likelihood increases with pregnancy, menopause, and general aging.
Can Acupuncture Help with Sleep Problems?
Yes, acupuncture can help with sleep problems. Acupuncture treatments help regulate the functions of the body. Treatments help reduce stress, decrease anxiety, and address the root causes of sleep issues.
How Does Acupuncture Help Insomnia?
Acupuncture helps by both regulating the functions of the whole body and targeting the specific inhibitors to a restful sleep. Treatments address issues such as anxiety, depression, pain, or stress that may be causing insomnia.
How Often Do You Need Acupuncture for Insomnia?
Treatment plans will vary, but generally patients may begin to feel results within 2-3 weeks and experience sustained results in 2-3 months.
Do Chinese Herbs Work for Insomnia?
Yes, Chinese herbs work to help relieve insomnia. The formulas treat the body from the inside out, providing the body with necessary nutrients to nourish the blood, rebalance hormonal levels, calm the mind, and anchor the spirit. The medicine also works to address the root causes of insomnia.
What Chinese Herbs Are Good for Insomnia?
There are several Chinese herbs and herbal formulas that are good for insomnia. Some herbal formulas are available in off the shelf products called patents and others can be formulated in a customized herbal formula to address other issues as well as insomnia. To ensure you are getting the most effective treatment, we only prescribe or recommend a Chinese herb formula or patent after a detailed consultation. Successful treatment with Chinese herbs is entirely dependent upon an accurate diagnosis based on the patient’s constitution.
Does Cupping Help You Sleep Better?
Yes, cupping can help you sleep better. Cupping is especially good if pain is preventing you from getting a restful sleep. This therapy helps improve blood flow throughout the body, decreasing pain. Cupping can also help any tension or pain caused by insomnia.
What To Expect
You can expect to find a partner in your health journey.
At Transformational Acupuncture, we strive to provide a welcoming environment to each and every patient. We understand traditional healthcare can make some wary of seeking help, even if it’s for the betterment of their health. That’s why we take a holistic approach when treating each person. You will be listened to, treated with respect, and be seen as a true partner in your own health journey.
At the beginning of your treatment you’ll be asked some basic questions so we can establish a good baseline. From there we’ll discuss your specific needs and issues. After hearing from you, we’ll create a holistic plan that is designed to help you live the balanced, healthy life you deserve.
Your Patient Journey
At the beginning of your treatment, you’ll be asked some basic questions so we can establish a good baseline. From there we will discuss your specific needs and issues. After hearing from you, we will create a holistic plan that is designed to help you live the balanced, healthy life you deserve.
Learn more about your complete patient journey.
Get Started Today
Begin your holistic health journey by scheduling an appointment today. Schedule online or give us a call at (202) 297-7404.
To learn if your insurance covers acupuncture and other treatments, please fill out our short form to verify your benefits with us.
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