Acupuncture Points for Insomnia
Chinese medicine has been aware of Insomnia and knows it is one of the most common sleep disorders known for centuries. Chinese medicine recognizes insomnia as an imbalance of energy if the disorder does not include an obstructed airway apnea, which is muscle related. Every sleep disorder has a different treatment. Meridians play a central role in the treatment of insomnia.
What is a Meridian?
Simply put, a meridian is an ‘energy highway’ in the human body. … Meridians can be mapped throughout the body; they flow within the body and not on the surface, meridians exist in corresponding pairs and each meridian has many acupuncture points along its path.
Here is a more descriptive detail of meridians we may focus on at Mckay Healing Arts.
- Stress can cause you to wake up soon after you have fallen asleep, and it is attached to the meridian of the liver.
- Grief will force you to wake up during the second half of the night, and it is associated with lung meridian.
- Worrying too much will cause you to wake up every night at an approximately same time, and it has been connected to the spleen meridian.
- Anxiety can affect falling and staying asleep during the night, and it is connected to the heart meridian.
Some of the acupuncture points that are essential for insomnia are:
- ST 36 – this point is located on the leg, below the knee, and it helps with increasing the energy of chi and blood boost. In Chinese medicine, it is believed that while we are sleeping the spirit (the Shen) resides in the heart or blood. So it is considered that if the blood is deficient, the spirit will wander and keep us awake.
- PC 6 – located around three fingers from the wrist crease, it is also known as Nei Guan or Inner Pass. It is essential for insomnia, anxiety and even motion sickness. This point calms the heart and the spirit.
- HT 7 – this point is also named Shen Men or Spirit Gate, and it is located at the pinky side of our wrist crease. Gates are very symbolic and have a significant role in Chinese medicine if a gate should be opened but it is closed, and vice versa, something is hindering the flow of energy. Closing or opening those gates will bring back the balance, and since this gate is connected to spirit, it directly affects sleep.
- Yin Tang – this is a point which is not a part of meridians, and it is located right between the eyebrows and is also called Hall of Impression. This calming point is essential for headaches and insomnia as it is believed that it calms the spirit.
- Anmien – or Anmian, is another extra point which not located on the meridians but is a key point for treating insomnia as it is incredibly calming and it promotes deep sleep. It is also used to help sleepers who have problems with nightmares, restless or interrupted sleep. Located below the earlobe, at the junction of the mastoid process and skull base, Anmien is easily stimulated while the patient is laying on the back.
Can Acupuncture Help With Sleep Disorders?
By: Marijana|Published on: Mar 17, 2019|
We want you to experience a good night of sleep. Sleep is paramount to our overall health and how we naturally heal and restore our body. Start sleeping better tonight and make an appointment today!