acupuncture and insomnia 

  Insomnia is the complaint of inadequate or poor-quality sleep because of: difficulty falling asleep, waking up during the night with difficulty returning to sleep or waking up too early.

Insomnia may cause problems during the day, such as tiredness, a lack of energy, difficulty concentrating, and irritability.

Some conditions seem to make individuals more likely to experience insomnia. Insomnia tends to increase with age, increased depression, increased anxiety or stress, and is more prominent in women.

Chronic insomnia often results from a combination of factors and underlying physical or mental disorders. Depression, sleep apnea, narcolepsy, restless legs syndrome, can be causes of chronic insomnia as well as more serious chronic diseases.

Chronic insomnia may also be due to behavior, such as the misuse of caffeine, alcohol, or other substances; disrupted sleep/wake cycles; and chronic stress.

      Acupuncture is effective for many types of insomnia. This has been proven through research using electroencephalograms (EEGs) with the use of just one point. Acupuncturists treat insomnia through three Traditional Chinese theoretical systems: the Spleen system, the Kidney system and the Liver system. Correct diagnosis is important for effective treatment. Also refer to the page on stress and anxiety and depression for further information.