Insomnia, Sleep Disorders & Acupuncture

A Brief Introductory Guide

Understanding the Challenges of Insomnia and Sleep Disorders and the Benefits of Acupuncture

Insomnia and sleep disorders affect millions of people worldwide, impacting their overall health and quality of life. While everyone may experience occasional sleepless nights, chronic insomnia and persistent sleep disturbances can lead to serious health consequences. Insomnia is characterized by difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking up too early, often resulting in poor sleep quality and daytime fatigue. Other common sleep disorders include sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, and circadian rhythm disruptions. The effects of sleep deprivation can be profound, leading to decreased cognitive function, irritability, weakened immune response, and an increased risk of chronic conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and anxiety disorders. Managing insomnia and sleep disorders can be challenging, but acupuncture, a therapy rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), offers a natural, holistic approach to promoting better sleep.

The Wellspring Integrative Approach

We at Wellspring Health are privileged to be a member of your care team. Wellspring Health uses Traditional Chinese Medicine (Acupuncture & Herbal Medicine) and Conventional medicine in an integrative approach. This combination can enhance treatment outcomes, manage the side effects of conventional treatments (like chemotherapy), and provide additional support for chronic or complex conditions. We love science and we love working with conventional medical Doctors. This approach combines the strengths of both systems, offering a broader range of treatment options and emphasizing the prevention of disease as well as the treatment of existing conditions.

Click to jump to section:

Challenges Associated with Insomnia and Sleep Disorders

  1. Difficulty Falling Asleep: People with insomnia often struggle to fall asleep, even when they feel tired. This difficulty is commonly linked to an overactive mind, anxiety, or stress. Racing thoughts, worries, or heightened emotional states can make it nearly impossible for the body to enter a relaxed state conducive to sleep. The frustration of not being able to fall asleep can further exacerbate the problem, creating a vicious cycle of sleeplessness and anxiety.

  2. Difficulty Staying Asleep: Waking up frequently during the night or having trouble staying asleep is another common issue. This can be caused by a variety of factors, including chronic pain, hormonal imbalances, or sleep apnea. Fragmented sleep disrupts the natural sleep cycle, preventing the body from reaching deeper, restorative stages of sleep. As a result, individuals wake up feeling tired, unrefreshed, and unable to perform at their best during the day.

  3. Waking Up Too Early: Many people with insomnia find themselves waking up much earlier than desired, unable to fall back asleep. This can be due to stress, anxiety, or disruptions in the body’s circadian rhythm. Early waking can lead to insufficient sleep and feelings of exhaustion throughout the day, making it challenging to maintain focus and energy.

  4. Daytime Fatigue and Cognitive Impairment: The most immediate consequence of poor sleep is daytime fatigue. People with insomnia often experience low energy, difficulty concentrating, memory problems, and mood disturbances. Sleep deprivation can also impair decision-making, reduce reaction times, and increase the risk of accidents, affecting both personal and professional life.

  5. Emotional and Mental Health Challenges: Insomnia and sleep disorders are closely linked to mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and stress. Poor sleep can worsen these conditions, creating a cycle of emotional and physical distress. Conversely, anxiety and depression can contribute to insomnia, making it a complex condition to manage.

  6. Dependency on Sleep Medications: Many people turn to over-the-counter or prescription sleep medications to manage insomnia. While these medications can be helpful in the short term, they often come with side effects such as grogginess, dependency, or tolerance. Additionally, they may not address the underlying causes of sleep disturbances, leaving the problem unresolved.

From Our Clients

“I could not recommend Kirsten and her team more! I honestly knew nothing about acupuncture before I came to Wellspring Health, but I was at the point in my health journey where I was ready to try anything anyone recommended to feel better. I’ve struggled greatly with painful and extreme bloating, food sensitivities, gut health issues/IBSD, and monthly chronic UTIs and yeast infections. I went to countless doctors, ran every test… no stone was left unturned yet every doctor had no idea what was causing my issues. I was put on so many herbal protocols and also tried various Western medicine antibiotics. I’ve even tried every elimination diet you can think of! Nobody looked at the full picture and just wanted to throw everything at the wall hoping something would stick. This whole 2-3 year process was obviously so exhausting mentally and emotionally. Kirsten welcomed me in and came up with a plan that included needles and other modalities. The office is very bright and comfortable and she offers incredible tea upon arrival. She listened to everything I had to say and I felt like she really cares and was ready to help me find solutions. She has educated me, referred me to doctors, given great advice, recommended herbs and tinctures that actually improve my symptoms, watched me cry and comfort me, and most importantly never gave up on me and my health journey. I couldn’t thank Kirsten and the team enough for the freedom I have with food, feeling comfortable in my own skin, easing my anxiety, and being completely UTI/yeast infection-free for 9 months (which is the longest amount of time I can even remember) and soo much more. I am amazed at what acupuncture can do for the body and Kirsten is the one to go to!”

- Becca Z.

“Dr. Manges' practice is a very healing place and I always look forward to my weekly visits! Dr. Manges is incredibly talented and compassionate - I actually noticed the effects of my treatment occur within less than 24 hours of seeing her for the first time. As a seasoned acupuncture patient, it's easy for me to discern between a strong acupuncturist and practice and one that has limited impact on someone's health. Not only does Dr. Manges have expertise, but she also has a healing touch that can help with even the most stubborn of conditions. Not only do I notice the effects on lifelong issues (e.g. insomnia) and more recent autoimmune issues, it's easy for me to count on Dr. Manges to give me the best possible treatment, listen to my needs, and pivot as nature calls for it. I highly recommend this practice (and have referred her to many people that work with me) and above all, Dr. Manges as a practitioner - she really cares about her patients and it's always hard for me to leave after treatment because I just want to stay there all evening!”

- Pratiba N.

“Working with Dr. Kirsten Manges has been exceptional and transformational. She and her practice are simply the best. I started receiving treatments from Dr. Manges at the start of my third trimester with my first child. She prepared me for and helped me achieve a full-term, healthy, easy vaginal birth. I really did not want to be induced and working with Dr. Manges helped me achieve this as I started having contractions the afternoon of my due date. My sleep, anxiety, and digestion have also greatly improved since I started working with Dr. Manges. I have received acupuncture treatments for over a decade and I can confidently say I have found the practitioner and practice I will always go to for treatments and guidance on my health for decades to come. Thank you, Dr. Manges!”

- Christine M.

Benefits of Acupuncture for Insomnia and Sleep Disorders

Acupuncture is a holistic therapy that involves inserting fine, sterile needles into specific points on the body to stimulate energy flow, or Qi, and promote healing. It is particularly effective in treating insomnia and sleep disorders because it addresses both the physical and emotional aspects of health. Here’s how acupuncture can help improve sleep quality:

  1. Calms the Nervous System and Reduces Stress: Acupuncture has a calming effect on the nervous system, helping to reduce the body’s stress response and promote relaxation. By activating the parasympathetic nervous system (responsible for rest and digestion), acupuncture helps lower cortisol levels (the body’s primary stress hormone) and encourages a state of deep relaxation. This makes it easier for the body to transition into sleep and maintain a restful state throughout the night.

  2. Regulates the Sleep-Wake Cycle: Acupuncture can help balance the body’s circadian rhythm, which regulates the sleep-wake cycle. By stimulating specific points that influence hormone production and neurotransmitter release, acupuncture can help regulate melatonin levels—a hormone that controls the sleep-wake cycle. This helps individuals fall asleep more easily, stay asleep longer, and wake up feeling refreshed.

  3. Improves Sleep Quality and Duration: Acupuncture promotes deeper and more restorative sleep by enhancing the flow of Qi and Blood throughout the body. This supports healthy circulation, relaxes muscles, and reduces pain or discomfort that may interfere with sleep. Improved circulation also helps alleviate conditions such as restless leg syndrome or muscle cramps, which can disrupt sleep.

  4. Addresses Underlying Health Issues: Acupuncture treats the body as a whole, addressing not just the symptoms of insomnia but also the underlying causes, such as hormonal imbalances, chronic pain, digestive issues, or emotional disturbances. By restoring balance within the body, acupuncture helps resolve the root issues contributing to sleep disturbances, leading to long-term improvement in sleep quality.

  5. Reduces Anxiety and Promotes Emotional Balance: Acupuncture is effective in reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression, which are often linked to sleep disorders. By balancing the flow of energy in the body, acupuncture helps regulate the release of serotonin and other neurotransmitters that influence mood and emotional well-being. This helps create a calm, relaxed state of mind, making it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep.

  6. Provides a Safe, Natural Alternative to Sleep Medications: Acupuncture is a safe, drug-free alternative to sleep medications. It has no harmful side effects and can be used long-term to promote better sleep without the risk of dependency or tolerance. Regular acupuncture sessions can help establish healthier sleep patterns, reduce the need for sleep medications, and improve overall well-being.

Conditions We Treat With Acupuncture

Acupuncture is used to address a wide variety of health conditions, including but not limited to:

Parting Thoughts:

Insomnia and sleep disorders present complex challenges that can significantly impact physical and emotional health. While conventional treatments often focus on symptom relief, they may not address the root causes of sleep disturbances. Acupuncture offers a holistic approach to managing insomnia by calming the nervous system, regulating the sleep-wake cycle, and addressing underlying health issues. Through its multifaceted benefits, acupuncture helps individuals achieve better sleep, improved mental health, and a higher quality of life. For those seeking a natural and effective way to enhance sleep, acupuncture provides a valuable solution that supports overall health and well-being.

Resources & Links to Learn More

Acupuncture has been studied for its potential benefits in treating insomnia and sleep disorders. Here are five clinical studies highlighting its positive effects:

  1. Electroacupuncture for Insomnia in Patients with Depression: A randomized clinical trial published in JAMA Network Open investigated the effects of electroacupuncture on insomnia among patients with depression. The study found that electroacupuncture significantly improved sleep quality compared to sham acupuncture and standard care alone. JAMA Network

  2. Acupuncture for Insomnia: A Systematic Review: A Cochrane review assessed the efficacy and safety of acupuncture in treating insomnia. The analysis of 33 randomized controlled trials suggested that acupuncture may improve sleep quality; however, the authors noted that the evidence was not sufficiently rigorous to draw definitive conclusions, indicating a need for higher-quality studies. Cochrane

  3. Acupuncture for Insomnia in Hypertensive Patients: A meta-analysis published in Frontiers in Neurologyevaluated the effectiveness of acupuncture for insomnia symptoms in hypertensive patients. The study concluded that acupuncture significantly improved sleep quality and reduced insomnia symptoms in this population. Frontiers

  4. Effectiveness of Multi-Point Acupuncture for Primary Insomnia: A randomized clinical trial and fMRI study published in BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies examined the effectiveness of multi-point acupuncture for primary insomnia. The results indicated that acupuncture improved sleep quality and modulated brain activity associated with sleep regulation. BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies

  5. Acupuncture for Insomnia with Short Sleep Duration: A study protocol published in BMJ Open outlined a randomized controlled trial to assess the efficacy of acupuncture for insomnia with short sleep duration. The study aimed to determine whether acupuncture could improve sleep quality and duration in individuals with this specific type of insomnia. BMJ Open

These studies suggest that acupuncture may offer benefits in managing insomnia and sleep disorders, particularly in improving sleep quality and modulating related brain activity.