What is Acupuncture for Sleep Disorders?
Acupuncture uses ancient Chinese techniques to help the body restore balance and health. It is one of the most effective treatments for easing insomnia and other sleep disorders, lacking many of the unpleasant side effects patients experience when using sleep medications. Acupuncture utilizes very fine needles that are inserted into channel or meridian points on the body. The practice is painless and unblocks energy so it flows throughout the body as intended.
Diagnosis
Not being able to sleep might not seem as if it is a major medical issue, especially since so many people experience sleep disturbances at some point in their lives. Unfortunately, insomnia can be a very serious medical condition. Lack of sleep, especially if it is a chronic problem, creates inflammation, disorientation, and irritability. It can interfere with your relationships, your ability to perform at work or in school, and can damage your health. Sleep deprivation increases a person’s risk for a variety of illnesses.
There are several different sleep disorders that are positively affected by acupuncture treatment. Acupuncture can be used to alleviate a variety of sleep disturbances, including an inability to fall asleep or stay asleep, waking frequently or simply help a patient to feel rested after a night of sleep.
Our Approach to Treatment
At Atlantic Medicine & Wellness, we take an integrative approach to treating sleep disorders. Before using acupuncture, patients are given a physical and complete intake assessment. Sleep issues can be caused by problems in the endocrine system, by anemia, by life circumstances, or by irregular blood sugar. We will also analyze various aspects of your sleep, such as sleeping habits, as well as pre and post sleep activities. Once we determine the type of sleep disturbance you have and the cause, we then create a comprehensive plan to improve your ability to sleep. Besides a medical approach, chiropractic care, physical therapy and/or nutritional guidance, when warranted, this may include multiple acupuncture appointments that continue until healthy, restorative sleep is possible.