Acupuncture for sleep uses points located on the body to address the underlying causes of insomnia. These points are the Vital Diaphragm, the Spirit Gate, the Kidney, and the Gall Bladder. When done correctly, acupuncture can significantly improve sleep. However, to reap the maximum benefits of acupuncture for sleep, you need to seek a skilled practitioner. Read on to learn more about this powerful treatment.

Yin and Yang

Yin and Yang are complementary forces within the body. Insomnia is caused by an imbalance between the yin and yang energies. Insufficient yin energy will prevent your body from adequately contracting, causing you to wake up in the night and have trouble falling back to sleep. Chinese medicine focuses on restoring this balance. This can be done through acupuncture, herbs, massage, or combining these treatments.

Acupuncture focuses on restoring the balance between the two. The YinYin is the cooling, refreshing energy prevalent during sleep, while the Yang is the expansive, active energy. Each of these energies has a dominant period, and an acupuncture treatment aims to bolster the YinYin while toning down the yang. This concept aligns with Western concepts, such as the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. These two energies act on one another to maintain a healthy balance.

Acupuncture is a holistic way to promote sleep, as both the Yin and Yang elements are important in the balancing of both. Insomnia is a common complaint that affects millions of people around the world. When the Yin is deficient, the Yang can take over, disrupting the sleep cycle and preventing a person from getting restful sleep. When this happens, a person may wake up feeling groggy and not ready to tackle the day.

The yin cycle starts in the fall as the daylight decreases and is associated with sadness, grief, and isolation. People with a yin constitution may experience increased appetite and cravings. They may also be lethargic and emotionally sensitive. Yin acupuncture treatments help the body achieve optimal sleeping conditions. By targeting these imbalances, acupuncture promotes good sleep.

Yin and Yang describe the natural law of change. In Chinese philosophy, Yin is the shade, while Yang is the sunny side. In acupuncture, the relationship between these two is supported by the use of needles to support daytime functioning. The contrasting elements support each other in a complementary way. Yin is related to darkness, shadow, latency, and reaction. Yang is related to growth, activity, and loudness. Incorrect yin and yang imbalances can cause sleep problems, heart palpitations, ringing in the ears, dry mouth, and more. Fortunately, TCM has a method for improving these symptoms.