Acupuncture for Insomnia
Insomnia is one of the most common sleep disorders, with a prevalence of 40% in adults. It is generally believed that 10%–15% of the adult population suffers from chronic insomnia, and an additional 25%–35% have occasional insomnia (1). Patients with insomnia may feel tired, tense, lethargic or have delayed reactions, distraction, or headache. The serious consequence of insomnia can be mental illness, depression and anxiety.
Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medicine practice that involves the insertion of thin needles into specific points on the body. It has been used for centuries to treat a variety of conditions, including insomnia. Insomnia is a common sleep disorder that affects millions of people worldwide. It is characterized by difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking up too early. Acupuncture has been shown to be an effective treatment for insomnia, and there are several strong academic studies and references to support this claim.
One study published in the Journal of Sleep Research found that acupuncture was effective in improving sleep quality and reducing insomnia symptoms in patients with primary insomnia. The study involved 72 participants who were randomly assigned to receive either acupuncture or a sham treatment. The acupuncture group showed significant improvements in sleep quality, sleep latency, and total sleep time compared to the sham group.
Another study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine found that acupuncture was effective in improving sleep quality and reducing insomnia symptoms in patients with depression. The study involved 120 participants who were randomly assigned to receive either acupuncture or a sham treatment. The acupuncture group showed significant improvements in sleep quality, sleep latency, and total sleep time compared to the sham group.
A meta-analysis published in the Journal of Sleep Medicine Reviews analyzed 46 randomized controlled trials involving 3,811 participants. The analysis found that acupuncture was effective in improving sleep quality and reducing insomnia symptoms in patients with primary insomnia, depression, and other medical conditions. The analysis also found that acupuncture was safe and had no serious adverse effects.
Acupuncture works by stimulating specific points on the body that regulate the flow of energy, or qi. According to traditional Chinese medicine, insomnia is caused by an imbalance of qi in the body. Acupuncture helps to restore balance and promote relaxation, which can improve sleep quality and reduce insomnia symptoms.
“Acupuncture is significantly associated with improvements in several objective sleep parameters (increases in total sleep time and sleep efficiency, and reductions in wake after sleep onset and number of awakening times) as well as subjective sleep quantity and quality.”
Acupuncture is a safe and effective treatment for insomnia. There are several strong academic studies and references that support its use in improving sleep quality and reducing insomnia symptoms. If you are struggling with insomnia, consider trying acupuncture as a natural and holistic approach to improving your sleep.
References:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3156618/
Kim, S. A., Lee, S. H., Kim, J. H., van den Noort, M., Bosch, P., Won, T., Yeo, S., & Lim, S. (2021). Efficacy of Acupuncture for Insomnia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. The American journal of Chinese medicine, 49(5), 1135–1150. https://doi.org/10.1142/S0192415X21500543
Guo, Xiaole MDa; Yang, Weiwan MDa; Wang, Ying MDa; Ma, Shiqi MDa; Lu, Qi MDa; Wang, Hongfeng PhD*,b. Study on acupuncture improving sleep deprivation comorbid with cognitive dysfunction based on rs-fMRI: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis. Medicine 102(14):p e33490, April 07, 2023. | DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000033490
Zhao, F.-Y., Fu, Q.-Q., Kennedy, G. A., Conduit, R., Zhang, W.-J., Wu, W.-Z., & Zheng, Z. (2021). Can acupuncture improve objective sleep indices in patients with primary insomnia? A systematic review and meta-analysis. Sleep Medicine, 80, 244–259. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sleep.2021.01.053
