Insomnia acupuncture

Insomnia – brain imaging studies show how acupuncture helps

A few weeks ago, I shared with you how brain imaging can help us understand how acupuncture works.  And now I came across a fascinating study about using acupuncture for insomnia and sleep deprivation.

The study, conducted by JiaoTong university in China, focused on just one acupuncture point on the leg that has been shown to help alleviate insomnia. To test if it really made a difference, the researchers used another area on the same leg, only 2 centimetres away from the real acupoint. To further help to understand the effect of acupuncture they scanned people who were not sleep deprived but received the same treatment.

You can see the results on the image above for yourself. The first horizontal row shows the brain of students who received stimulation when they weren’t sleep deprived. The second row is where we can see significant changes to various areas of the brain; this is where real acupuncture was used on the same students after total sleep deprivation for one night. The third row shows sham or fake treatment, where they used exactly the same needle, but on an area away from an acupoint.

The researchers concluded that this difference in brain activation suggests the importance of this specific acupuncture point (known as SP6) in treating sleep deprivation. Thanks to the wonders of FMRI technology, we’re getting closer to unlocking the mysteries of how acupuncture can help us get a better night’s sleep.

Having difficulty sleeping? Give acupuncture for insomnia a try.

Reference: Differential activation patterns of fMRI in sleep-deprived brain: restoring effects of acupuncture

Insomnia acupuncture

Acupuncture for Insomnia

The largest study of acupuncture and insomnia to date found acupuncture to be more effective than orthodox sleeping medications at improving your sleep and relieving insomnia. The researchers also found that combining acupuncture with medication was more beneficial than medication alone. Acupuncture plus herbs also improved sleep better than herbs alone.

This study (meta-analysis) included 46 randomized trials and 3811 patients. It was published The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine.

The bottom line:

The most common solution your doctor will offer for insomnia is sleeping pills. Unfortunately the sleeping pills are addictive and their effect diminishes with time. Furthermore, sleeping pills don’t give you quality sleep and have a sedative effect, which may affect your performance during the day as well as driving.

Acupuncture offers a superior alternative to sleeping medications. Acupuncture does not have the side effects of the sleeping pills and it is more effective in the treatment of insomnia.

 

“after every treatment, I notice a difference” Jess Chesney

I came to see Dr Vitalis as I was suffering from symptoms from a concussion. Consequently, I developed insomnia and hadn’t been sleeping for weeks despite being such a good sleeper in the past.

I had tinnitus, daily headaches, and a very sore, stiff neck due to whiplash. I didn’t have much range in turning my neck. In short, I felt like a walking zombie that wasn’t functioning.

After the first treatment, I felt very relaxed and a lot calmer. I came home that night yawning and had a better sleep. I was sold. I was totally amazed that I actually slept.

Currently, I have the treatment twice a week, and after every treatment, I notice a difference. I have so much more range in my neck and haven’t had a headache in a very long time. My sleep improved. It’s amazing to feel like myself again. I am so thankful.

Having acupuncture with Dr Vitalis has been the best decision I have made for myself. I would recommend him to anyone.

Jess Chesney
Auckland