Acupuncture for Insomnia May Reduce Long-Term Health Risks
Insomnia is one of the most common health issues among adults, yet it is often overlooked and left untreated. Chronic insomnia may increase the risk of developing other health conditions in older adults, such as hypertension, diabetes, depression, and in some cases, even mortality.
Approximately 25% of adults experience sleep problems, and about 6–10% suffer from clinical insomnia. People with insomnia have difficulty falling or staying asleep, and often experience daytime fatigue, poor concentration, and mood disturbances.
Insomnia tends to recur frequently. Studies show that nearly 70% of insomnia patients continue to experience symptoms one year later, and about half still struggle with insomnia even after three years.
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The Risks of Long-Term Use of Sleep Medications
Although both over-the-counter and prescription medications are widely used to treat insomnia, from a holistic health perspective, long-term use of such drugs may not be the best solution for overall well-being. In addition to the risk of dependency, commonly prescribed sleeping pills such as Lunesta, Sonata, Ambien, Rozerem, and Halcion may cause side effects including:
- Burning or tingling sensations in the hands, arms, feet, or legs
- Changes in appetite
- Constipation or diarrhea
- Loss of balance
- Dizziness
- Daytime drowsiness
- Dry mouth or throat
- Bloating
- Headache
- Heartburn
- Next-day grogginess
- Slowed thinking, difficulty concentrating, or memory issues
- Stomach pain or acid reflux
- Uncontrolled shaking in parts of the body
- Unusual dreams
- Weakness
Acupuncture and Insomnia
Unlike medications, acupuncture is considered a natural, safe, and low-risk treatment for insomnia. A proper acupuncture session involves detailed questioning, observation, pulse diagnosis, and tongue analysis. In some cases, palpation of specific areas of the body may also be conducted. Based on the diagnosis pattern, the practitioner selects specific acupuncture points where very fine needles are gently inserted.
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Acupuncture as an Effective Alternative to Sleeping Pills
A study conducted in Taiwan between 2007 and 2008 involving 33 patients with primary insomnia found that acupuncture was equally effective as zolpidem, a prescription sleep aid commonly sold under brand names such as Ambien, Tilnox, and Sublinox. In the study, participants either received one acupuncture treatment per week or took 10 mg of zolpidem nightly.
From our clinical experience, patients often report having their best sleep immediately after acupuncture treatment. However, the effects may diminish after a few days. It typically takes several weeks of consistent acupuncture to allow the body to naturally regulate itself and resolve chronic insomnia.
Acupuncture is gaining more attention for its effectiveness. It involves the use of single-use, sterile, fine needles and is considered safe, effective, and nearly free of side effects. Studies have shown that acupuncture can help regulate the central nervous system and increase the levels of several neurotransmitters, including serotonin. It supports the body’s natural sleep patterns without causing the groggy or hangover-like effects often associated with sleeping pills.
Having trouble sleeping? Before relying on long-term medication, why not give acupuncture a try? If you’re currently taking sleep aids and experiencing side effects, it may be wise to speak with a Chinese medicine practitioner about alternative solutions.
For further information, please contact our clinic at (03) 9857 8062
