Perhaps you are reading this article in the middle of the night after an agonizing struggle to fall asleep. Your mind is racing; you’re too tired to do anything productive, but you body just won’t let you fall asleep. The more you try to sleep, the more anxious you become about needing sleep, and the maddening cycle ensues.

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Chronic Insomnia

It’s one thing to struggle with insomnia occasionally; it’s a completely other story if you have to deal with it day after day. Sleep deprivation affects everything from work performance to overall health. Lack of consistent restful sleep weakens your immune system, depresses mood and even impedes your ability to properly manage your weight (triggering hunger and making it difficult to exercise and choose healthy meal options).

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Less-Than-Healthy Options

It is estimated that approximately 60 million Americans suffer from insomnia. As a result, people turn to unhealthy options in a desperate attempt to knock themselves out each night. Three common choices are the use of alcohol, over-the-counter sleep medications or prescription sleep medications, all of which typically deliver unwanted side effects.

While a glass or two of wine might help you fall asleep, it usually results in disrupted and restless sleep. That means you might feel sleepy and fall asleep quickly, but you’ll probably wake up in the middle of the night and have trouble going back to sleep.

Both over-the-counter and prescription sleep medications usually create a dependence upon the medication, meaning once you start taking them, you will have trouble going to sleep without them. Some types have side effects like grogginess or lowering of cognitive function, others act as overall depressants, negatively affecting mood and the ability to get going in the morning.

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Natural Insomnia Treatment Options

Depending on how severe your insomnia is, you may find relief from the following natural solutions:

• Try melatonin supplements (5 mg per night). Your body naturally produces melatonin, a hormone that encourages sleep and improves mental acuity, between the hours of 8 p.m. and 3 a.m.
• Establish a relaxing ritual before bed. Shut off the television and all other electronics and engage in gentle stretching, meditation, reading or journaling before going to bed.
• Exercise daily (but not right before bed). Exercise releases hormones that will help you relax when it’s time to sleep. It’s also a great way to deal with stress. Try a 20-minute walk after dinner; you’ll be amazed at the difference in how you sleep each night.
• Try acupuncture. Acupuncture has been used by Asian cultures to treat insomnia for centuries.
• Drink a cup of warm milk with turmeric, cardamom, vanilla extract and a sprinkling of the sweetener of your choice. This soothing drink works to detoxify your body and help you feel sleepy and ready to relax.

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The Research Behind Acupuncture for Insomnia

While acupuncture has been used for centuries, Western research has concluded that it is an effective technique that provides significant results. Click here to read the clinical documentation of research drawn from 46 randomized trials involving 3811 patients. This extensive study concluded:

• Acupuncture compared with no treatment proved that acupuncture provides tangible improvements to quality and quantity of sleep
• Acupuncture is superior to medication alone
• Acupuncture plus medications showed better effect than medications alone
• Acupuncture plus herbs was significantly better than herbs alone

As you can see, acupuncture is an essential part of any insomnia treatment plan. It is natural, effective and has no negative side effects.

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Acupuncture

Acupuncture has been used to treat anxiety, mental cognition issues, depression, hot flashes, cravings and weight issues for centuries. Different acupuncture points are stimulated to direct energy to different parts of the body, dependent on your individual symptoms. Acupuncture is natural and effective; it has no negative side effects and requires very little time and effort on your part.

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Looking for Acupuncture for Insomnia in Huntersville?

Do you live in the Lake Norman area? Interested in natural insomnia treatment options? Give us a call at 704-947-7272 or use our online form to schedule a first appointment. Dr. Doyle takes into consideration all factors impacting your ability to sleep, providing a holistic plan for overcoming insomnia and getting the sleep you need