Insomnia is a medical disorder characterized by the inability to fall asleep or inability to reach a deep level of sleep. The most serious issues of insomnia are the daytime effects including, fatigue, depression, inattention, irritability and lethargy.
Insomnia can be caused by physical as well as psychological factors. Most common factors are: stress, irregular work schedule, medication side effects, chronic pain, and hyperthyroidism.
While acupuncture addresses all the contributing factors, it is also a remedy for insomnia. Acupuncture approaches insomnia holistically and equilibrates the entire body, allowing Qi (life energy) to circulate freely throughout the meridians. Furthermore, the needles stimulate chemicals to be released in the brain yielding a calming effect on the body.
The protocol for insomnia includes 10 initial sessions: 2 to 3 treatments per week, followed by single sessions for the following 2 to 4 weeks. Although patients typically experience relief after several sessions, herbal supplements are sometimes added to enhance the desired effect.