INSOMNIA AND ACUPUNCTURE – Part I – Causes

The word insomnia involves a large number of problems related to sleep such as having
difficulty falling asleep, frequent awakenings, restless sleep, dream-disturbed sleep and waking
up too early in the morning with an inability to go back to sleep.

Different kinds of insomnia are problems frequently experienced nowadays. About three to four
adults have regular or occasional trouble sleeping. When looking for alternatives to medication,
which its share of side effects, one realizes that acupuncture can be an interesting solution. So,
here is the first article of our series on acupuncture to inform you about the benefits and
possibilities this therapy can provide. First, we will identify the possible causes of sleep
disorders and then suggest some solutions.

Causes according to Traditional Chinese Medicine:

Worries (in a broader sense, including excessive thinking or obsessive mental preoccupation):
Being constantly preoccupied and having too many worries tend to “hurt” the spleen, lungs and
heart. A weakened spleen struggles to synthesize red blood cells, which in turn can affect the
heart. If the blood of the heart is weak, the mind cannot rest.

Anger (in a broader sense, including frustration, resentment and irritability): These emotions
tend to raise the heat of the liver, the organ related to anger. Too much heat in the liver will
trouble the mind, which, again, will have no place to anchor itself. This will lead to insomnia and
lots of dreams or nightmares.

Overwork: Working too much without proper rest or going through chronic stress will also disturb
sleep. This will “hurt” the kidneys, whose function is to provide a good anchor so that the mind
rests at night. Weakened kidneys will not have enough energy to balance out the heat of the
heart. It can also generate too much heat in the heart whenever there are ongoing stresses and
emotional disharmonies. Once again, the restless spirit will not have a house to rest.

Shy Gallbladder: Some people have an innate weakness of both heart and gallbladder. These
people tend to be shy and fearful, and have trouble making decisions. These inherent
weaknesses tend to create morning insomnia.

Irregular diet: A poor diet, overeating or consuming too many fatty and warming foods,
increases the moisture and heat in the body. This can lead up to what we call “heat-moisture” in
the stomach resulting in insomnia. For example, a hearty meal taken too late at night can
prevent good sleep and cause discomfort in the abdomen.

Childbirth: A significant loss of blood during childbirth can also result in a form of insomnia
related with what we call ” blood empty”. Again, when blood supplies are not adequate to truly
ground the mind wandering at night, it results in insomnia and excessive dreams often followed
by having trouble falling asleep.
Residual Heat: Following a “wind-heat” invasion resulting from flu or other illnesses, residual
heat may remain in the diaphragm and prevent the person from sleeping well. This heat will
disturb the heart, house of the mind, and will lead to insomnia as well as mental agitation.
Sleeping problems can often be related to chronic fatigue syndrome.

Excessive Sexual Activity: This applies more to men than women. In fact, sperm is a direct
expression of kidneys energy. If sexual activity is very frequent to a point where kidneys have
no time to repair themselves, it could lead to a “kidney deficiency” and to insomnia due to its
lack of anchoring the mind.
INSOMNIA AND ACUPUNCTURE – PART 2 – THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF INSOMNIA
In the previous article, we defined the most common causes of insomnia according to Chinese
Medicine. Now, let’s see concretely how your insomnia manifests itself on a daily basis. What
type of insomnia do you suffer from? Is it difficult to fall asleep? Do you tend to wake up
frequently at night? Do you wake up early in the morning without being able to go back to sleep
or does it take you a while to do so? Do you dream a lot and wake up tired as if you’ve run all
night long?

All these types of insomnia are related to many different imbalances that we will identify in this
article. Here is a list of what is most frequently found in clinical practice, as well as the specific
characteristics of each.

SLEEP

Difficulty falling asleep indicates a Blood Deficiency.

Waking up frequently during the night indicates a Yin Deficiency.

Waking up too early in the morning is a sign of weakness of the Heart and Gall Bladder.

DREAMS

Excessive dreaming indicates either a Deficiency of Blood or Liver Yin, or too much heat in the
Liver or Heart.

Nightmares that suddenly wake you up are linked to a weakness in the Heart and Gall Bladder.

Very agitated dreams can also indicate mucus and heat that disturb the Stomach.

BODY POSITION

An inability to sleep on the back usually indicates an excess (Qi or Heat) of the Heart or Lungs,
which is common in asthmatic patients when lungs are clogged with mucus.
Sleeping on the back with the arms above the head means a heat condition.

Sleeping systematically on the belly is usually indicative of a Stomach Deficiency.

Feeling the need to sleep on a specific side of the body is often associated with a Qi and Blood
Deficiency of this specific side or excess on the opposite side.

SNORING

Snoring is usually due to mucus that interferes with the Stomach Meridian or it may be a
rebellious Qi, which affects the Yang Meridians of the lower body (the Qi rises up when it should
come down).

AT WHAT TIME DO YOU WAKE UP USUALLY?

The circadian clock of organs is an interesting tool used in Chinese Medicine. In this system, the
24-hour clock is divided into 12 two-hour blocks during which the Qi (vital force) moves through
the organ system. During sleep, the Qi works inwardly and takes care of restoring the body.
Waking up constantly at the same time at night can reveal a weakness of a specific organ. For
example, a regular awakening around 1:30 am may be a Stagnation of the Liver energy, which
means that the Liver does not metabolize the waste properly or is hampered by gallstones.
Physical symptoms may also occur because of an underlying emotion, like the Liver being
severely affected by anger, frustration, or stress.

Here is an overview of imbalances that can create sleep problems according to Chinese
Medicine. In our next article of the insomnia and acupuncture series, we will focus on learning a
few useful points to stimulate and improve sleep in a simple way and without medication. Until
then, sleep well!

Alexandra Duclos, Ac.

INSOMNIA & ACUPUNCTURE – PART 3: USEFUL POINTS TO KNOW

KIDNEY 6 AND BLADDER 62

Kidney 6, also called Zhaohai, means Shining Sea, is a good place to bolster kidney yin and
calm the mind, two interesting features to prevent and treat insomnia. This point also helps
reduce nightmares as well as nocturnal epileptic seizures. Bladder 62, called Shenmai, which
means the Ninth Canal, helps to quiet the mind and treat insomnia. These two points can be
stimulated simultaneously allowing the whole body to rest for a good night’s sleep. The points
are located at the ankle, in the depression, directly below the internal malleolus (Kidney 6) and
external malleolus (Bladder 62). You can easily stimulate each point, doing acupressure, for a
minute or two, which should be enough. Press Kidney 6 with the thumb and Bladder 62 with the
index or middle finger of the same hand. You can gently massage the points with a firm
pressure, without it being painful. Take deep breaths while doing one leg, then resume with the
other one.

recover good sleep with acupuncture, how to sleep well with acupuncturePERICARDIUM 6

Another great point to calm anxiety and insomnia is Pericardium 6, known as Neiguan, which
means Inner Gate. This is a great point for dealing with emotions in general as well as stress,
fears, anxiety, sadness, depression and PMS. It is often used by pregnant women because it is
helpful in relieving nausea and vomiting. It is easy to stimulate. You’ll find it on the forearm,
three fingers wide from the wrist fold. Massage the point for one or two minutes with small
circular motions. Repeat with the other arm. Breathe deeply and slowly while doing it.

Acupuncture and insomnia, recover good sleepHEART 7

Heart 7, known as Shenmen, means Spirit Gate. It is a must for sleep disorders. It nourishes the
blood of the heart and it is a great point for calming the mind and for physical agitation. It heals
fears, palpitations and stress. It can be very soothing in case of manic-depressive disorders. It is
located at the ulnar end of the distal wrist crease with the palm facing upward. Press the point
with the opposite thumb for about a minute, then do it on the other side.

treat insomnia, acupuncture and insomnia, recover good sleep with acupuncture

ANMIEN

The Anmien point (also known as Anmian), or Peaceful Sleep is an extra point which is not
located on a meridian. It is a master point for treating insomnia because it anchors the Shen
(the mind). It is very calming and promotes good sleep. It is used for both restless and
interrupted sleep as well as for nightmares and excessive dreaming. It is located in the
depression, at the junction of the skull base and the mastoid process, just below the earlobe. It
is possible to stimulate both Anmian points, simultaneously, using your thumbs. Apply firm but
soft pressure, for a few minutes, with gentle circular motions. This point can be easily stimulated
while lying on the back.

acupuncture and insomniaSo, these are a few points to help you relieve your insomnia
problems without medication. These basic points do not replace a complete acupuncture
treatment, but after you have performed them, you will notice the positive results. I encourage
you to try them because having a restful sleep is really precious and irreplaceable. I wish you a
good night’s rest!