What is insomnia?
Insomnia is a sleep disorder that inhibits your ability to fall asleep or stay asleep. Insomnia is quite common and causes symptoms such as:
- Waking up several times a night
- Struggling to fall back asleep after waking up
- Trouble getting to sleep
- Fatigue when you wake up
- Waking up too early
- Irritability
- Sleepiness during the day
- Trouble concentrating
Many adults experience acute insomnia from time to time. Acute insomnia is a bout of insomnia that lasts from one night to a few weeks. Other people struggle with chronic insomnia, which is defined as insomnia that you experience at least three nights a week for at least three months straight.
What causes insomnia?
Insomnia has a variety of causes, and it may be a primary condition or a secondary condition (insomnia as a symptom of another condition).
Some of the most common causes of acute insomnia include:
- Significant stress
- Certain medications
- Environmental factors (light pollution, noise, extreme temperatures, etc.)
- Illness
- Substance use (alcohol, drugs, etc.)
- Acid reflux
Meanwhile, examples of chronic insomnia include:
- Chronic illnesses
- Depression or anxiety
- Chronic pain
Also, insomnia becomes more common as you age.
How can acupuncture help my insomnia?
If you’re struggling with insomnia and you don’t know where to turn, acupuncture may work very well for you as a new or complementary treatment.
Acupuncture can help diminish your insomnia in a variety of ways, including physically, mentally, and emotionally. It can help conquer insomnia by making you feel more relaxed, less anxious, and less stressed. Also, it can decrease pain that keeps you up at night.
It also triggers the nervous system and helps it improve the communication and conduction between different nerves. In turn, this stimulates your neurotransmitters and causes your brain to release natural feel-good chemicals like serotonin.
What happens during an acupuncture session for insomnia?
During an acupuncture session, Lisa places very thin, sterile needles into your skin at various acupuncture points. According to traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture points are points on the body that connect with meridians, the energy pathways throughout your body.
The ancient Chinese believed that when meridians become blocked, you experience dysfunction physically, mentally, spiritually, or emotionally. The meridians have certain points, like pressure points, where Lisa can place needles in order to stimulate the flow of your qi and a return to a healthy equilibrium.
When Lisa performs acupuncture, the needles stimulate the body and various brain chemicals to increase blood flow, decrease your pain, improve your nervous system regulation, and boost your emotional well-being. You end up more relaxed and able to get a better night’s sleep.
Are you ready to change your life? If so, reach out to Lisa Meyerson Acupuncture online or over the phone today to book your first visit.
