Acupuncture for Insomnia

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) considers sleep deprivation to be a public health epidemic in America.  In addition, an estimated 50-75 million American adults have sleep or wakefulness disorders.  The CDC suggests that sleep disorders are a function of many factors including "broad scale societal factors such as round-the-clock access to technology and work schedules" as well as general stress, side effects of prescription medication use and obstructive disorders like sleep apnea.  

It is estimated that employers lost on average 7.8 days productivity on the job due to sleep deprived employees or $6.3 Billion dollars in lost productivity annually.  In addition to economic consequences, sleep disorders are linked to an increase in motor vehicle crashes, industrial accidents, and other occupational accidents.   Unintentionally falling asleep, nodding off while driving, and having difficulty performing daily tasks because of sleepiness all may contribute to these hazardous outcomes. Persons experiencing sleep disorders and insufficiency are also more likely to suffer from lower immunity leading to chronic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, depression, and obesity, as well as from cancer, increased mortality, and reduced quality of life and productivity.  

Insomnia is clearly a modern "disease" rooted in the nature of modern living.  One solution for this "modern" disease is an ancient treatment, acupuncture.   At first consideration using acupuncture for insomnia seems counterintuitive.   As Dave Asprey says in his blog, "The Bulletproof Executive, " Poking yourself with sharp objects might not seem like the most effective way to improve your sleep, but first impressions are often misleading."  

A study published in J Neuropsychiatry Clin Neurosci. 2004 Winter;16(1):19-28. found that in patients with anxiety, acupuncture increased nighttime melatonin production and total sleep time. The patients who received acupuncture also fell asleep faster, were less aroused at night, and were less stressed. The researchers concluded that,“Acupuncture treatment may be of value for some categories of anxious patients with insomnia.”

In a review published in Sleep Med Rev. 2009 Feb;13(1):73-104 found that acupuncture improves sleep quality among whom sleep disturbance is a common problem. The researchers found that, “Sleep activity and sleep quality significantly improved following 5 weeks of individualized acupuncture…”

As with most reviews, the authors find that more quality research needs to be done to determine conclusively that acupuncture results are significant compared with convention treatments and placebo or sham treatments

Another benefit of acupuncture is relief from chronic pain, which is a common contributor to insomnia.

If you’re interested in trying acupuncture to improve your sleep, here are the steps you need to take:

1. Find a qualified acupuncturist. There are several websites that you can use to search for an acupuncturist in your area, acufinder.com 
2. Give the process an honest effort, and at least several treatments before you decide if it helps or not. Sometimes it takes several visits before you notice major changes, and other times the improvements are immediate and lasting. 
3. Make an honest assessment of the lifestyle issues that contribute to your insomnia and take responsibility for this by making adjustments in these areas.