Insomnia is one of the most common and prevalent sleep disorder affecting nearly 40% of adults in the world. About 10- 15 % of them suffer from chronic insomnia and another 25 – 30% of them suffer from it transiently.

Let’s try and understand what’s insomnia

Insomnia is defined as – one who is suffering from inadequate sleep through the night presenting with –

• Difficulty falling asleep initially
• Difficult staying asleep on waking up in between and frequently
• Waking up earlier than desired.

Sleep, just like other instincts is much needed for every human being for maintaining their health through rest & repair mechanisms being active during sleep, consolidating their memory, for de-stressing and refreshing our energies.

Insomnia can be chronic or transient. Chronic insomnia is one where in a person suffers from less than 85% sleep efficiency for nearly 3 – 4 days in a week for several weeks. Transient insomnia is one which presents briefs for a few days and tides over when addressed appropriately.

Chronic insomnia can lead to extreme fatigue, stress, difficulty focusing, distractions, headaches, gastro-intestinal disturbances, and others.

A few complications of Insomnia

Chronic insomnia when not addressed adequately, it can lead to

• metabolic syndrome & hormonal imbalances
• diabetes mellitus
• hypertension, stroke
• LOW-GRADE INFLAMMATORY reaction which can lead to several non-communicable disorders
• In some cases, serious consequences of mental illness and schizophrenia can also resut!

What could be the causes of Insomnia?

• Stresses & pressures of life including job difficulties, inter personal relationship problems, financial difficulties and others
• Inappropriate sleep hygiene practice due to wrong times of food intake, varying time to going to bed, lack of exercise, sedentary lifestyle and others.
• Chronic ailments like Cancer, GERD, Chronic pains, Anxiety disorders, Depression and others.
• Neurological ailments like Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and others.

Therapeutic solutions for Insomnia

• Acupuncture therapy
• Yoga therapy
• Medication
• Counselling & Emotional health well-being

Depending on the history and cause of Insomnia, the therapeutic solutions can be single pronged or a multi-pronged approach.

Let’s try to understand in detail about the acupuncture’s role in the management and cure of Insomnia.

Acupuncture Therapy

Acupuncture is age old holistic therapeutic modality involving insertion of fine filiform needles on specific acu-points on energy pathway called meridians.

Several clinical studies has indicated that acupuncture therapy can be more effective compared to Western medication(1).

Based on TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) basis, the cause of Insomnia is due to imbalance in Qi (Energy) flow in the meridians.

The root cause of imbalance in the flow of meridians can be –

• Excessive Qi flow
• Stagnation of Qi
• Deficiency of Qi
• Lifestyle factors – Lack of exercise, Sedentary lifestyle, emotional imbalances
• Environmental factors

Inserting the acupuncture needles on acu-points shall bring about balance in the Qi flow which shall help to manage and cure insomnia/sleeplessness.

Several studies have indicated that by inserting the acupuncture needles, gamma-amino butyric acid increases which shall enhance the sleep quality. Not just that, acupuncture therapy increases several neuro-transmitters including endorphins, opioids and happy hormones which brings about emotional balance, de-stressing and peaceful mind.

So, if you know anyone suffering from Sleeplessness/Insomnia or you yourself having sleep issues; do approach an qualified and registered acupuncturist for a holistic solution.

Dr. Gurudatta H K, BNYS, FCRSW - Founder, Anandamaya Wellness Center

References

1. Cao H, Li H, Liu J. Acupuncture for Treatment of Insomnia: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials.