Can acupuncture help insomnia?

What you need to know

At Starting Point Acupuncture and Wellness, we help you go back to the basics and improve sleep, boost energy, and get pain-free. Schedule a consult today by calling our office at (425) 686-4498.

Can acupuncture help insomnia?

Do you suffer from the “monkey mind?” Not able to shut your mind off when it’s time to go to bed? Or fall asleep fine but wake many times during the night, not able to fall back asleep? There is hope for a good night’s sleep, acupuncture can help! Acupuncture has shown to help achieve a relaxing and sound sleep, helping to curb insomnia as well.

What do the studies say?

There are numerous studies that show acupuncture can help insomnia. One very fascinating study showed that certain acu-points stimulated regions in the brain responsible for sleep and that acupuncture could regulate the activity of those regions. This study used data from MRI scans and PSQI questionnaire to determine sleep baseline before and after 5 week intensive treatment protocol using known points that help with sleep.

Acupuncture has also been shown to turn on the bodies “parasympathetic nervous system” which turns on when we go to sleep. This allows our body to heal and repair. Therefore, acupuncture can help to regulate sleep and promote more restful sleep for optimal health.

In addition to acupuncture here are other simple tips to help promote better sleep:

Take a moment

Make some time in your schedule for a pre-sleep relaxation ritual. Taking a hot bath just before bed has been shown to promote a deep, restful sleep. You can also add a cup of Epsom salt or a handful of hops to the bathwater or place a small amount of dried hops wrapped in a cloth inside your pillow case. Hops are used to reduce restlessness during sleep. Epsom salts are magnesium salts that can help relax muscles and ease tension before going to sleep.

Aromatherapy

Put a few drops of chamomile or lavender essential oil on your pillow just before bed. You can also use an aromatherapy diffuser or add a few drops to water in a spray bottle to disperse the scent around your bedroom.

Evening snack tips

It is best to eat dinner at least 3-4 hours before you plan on going to bed. If you get those late night cravings, the best snacks are higher in protein, low sugar. Some snack suggestions are: apple and nut butter, poached pear, or turkey slices with avocado.

At Starting Point Acupuncture in Bothell, Washington, we specialize in helping those with chronic and complex conditions such as insomnia and stopping the painsomnia cycle. We use an integrated approach to help not only reduce symptoms but work towards prevention.

If you suffer from insomnia and not finding relief with current therapies, give our office a call at (425) 686-4498 to schedule an initial consultation to learn more about how we can help.

Dr. Ellie Heintze, ND, LAc, is a naturopathic doctor and acupuncturist in Bothell, WA at her practice Starting Point Acupuncture. She specializes in chronic and complex cases and commonly treats neuropathy, fibromyalgia, migraines, autoimmune, and infertility cases. Dr. Ellie Heintze is also the author of the book, A Starting Point Guide to Going Gluten-Free and Keep Calm and Zen Out available on Amazon.