Getting your ZZZzzzs with the Help of Acupuncture
By Anna Totzke, Registered Acupuncturist
Insomnia effects most of us at some point during our lives whether it
be one night or spanning over years. For many, getting enough sleep is
an on-going issue which can be frustrating and can affect their
quality of life.
From a Chinese Medicine perspective, Insomnia indicates a disharmony
of the internal organs. These imbalances are often caused by stress,
excessive emotion (anxiety, worry, grief, anger), over-thinking,
irregular diet (late night eating, not eating enough, poor diet),
excessive physical work, irregular working hours, poor blood quality,
or a combination of the above. Acupuncture has shown to be helpful
in treating Insomnia and the stresses affecting the physical body.
Do you experience any of these symptoms?
Types of Insomnia and the Related Organ Imbalance:
-Difficulty falling but once asleep, stays asleep= Blood/Heart disharmony
-Wake frequently, often feeling hot = Heart or Kidney imbalance
-Repeated waking around 2-4 a.m., worse with stress= Liver imbalance
-Lots of wild dreaming, talking during sleep, sleepwalking = Heart or
Liver imbalance
-Recurrent nightmares that cause waking = Heart and Gall Bladder imbalance
-Waking with palpitations and panic attacks = Heart and Kidney imbalance
-Chronic insomnia with feverishness at night but no sweating = Blood imbalance
-Difficult falling asleep, light sleeper, over-thinking in the
night=Spleen and/or Heart imbalance
-Lack of peaceful sleep, stomach discomfort of fullness, annoyance at
not sleeping = Stomach and Bowels Imbalance
-No sleep at all, headaches, irritability, tinnitus, bitter taste =
Liver Imbalance
Acupuncture is a wonderful way to help Insomnia.
Acupuncture points are selected on the body that affect sleep and the
organs that are out of balance. Acupuncture also helps:
anxiety, depression, stress, headaches, and pain in the body which all
have an impact on the quality of sleep.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact Anna Totzke, R.Ac.
annatotzke@gmail.com
564-572 Weber Street North, Unit 3A Waterloo, Ontario N2L5C6
