By: Winnie Fok, R.Ac., R.TCMP
Insomnia refers to conditions that vary from having difficulty falling asleep, waking up frequently during sleep and sleeplessness at night. Acupuncture treatment of insomnia begins with a diagnosis of insomnia as a symptom out of a syndrome (i.e. a cluster of symptoms).
There are several common syndromes that involve insomnia as a symptom:
“Hyperactivity of Heart Fire” with other accompanying symptoms such as restlessness, anxiety, dry mouth, scanty dark urine and canker sores.
“Liver Qi Stagnation with Fire” with other accompanying symptoms such as anxiety, irritability, waking up often during sleep and not being able to fall back asleep, distending pressure in the head, pink eye, tinnitus and constipation.
“Disturbance of Phlegm-heat” with other accompanying symptoms such as oppression in the chest, restlessness, nausea, belching, heavy sensation in the head and bitterness in the mouth.
“Hyperactivity of Fire due to Yin Deficiency” with other accompanying symptoms such as palpitation, restlessness, lumbago, weak legs, dizziness, tinnitus and feverish sensation in the chest, palms and soles.
“Deficiency of the Heart and Spleen” with other accompanying symptoms such as waking up easily during sleep, palpitation, amnesia, poor appetite and tired limbs.
“Deficiency of Heart Qi and Gallbladder Qi” with other accompanying symptoms such as restlessness, wakes up easily during sleep, fear, shortness of breath, sweating easily and lassitude.
Acupuncture treatment for insomnia aims at rebalancing the Yin and Yang of a person and is closely related to the regulation of neurotransmitter, metabolism and blood circulation of a person.
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