What Is Acupuncture, And How Does It Work?

Acupuncture is an alternative or Chinese medicinal therapy. In this technique, very fine needles are inserted into specific areas of your body. The needles are inserted to stimulate sensory nerves in your muscles and skin to release natural body hormones, promote blood flow, and balance the flow of energy.

It is one of the natural techniques to promote healing, treat pain, manage stress, and improve overall wellness. The points where needles are inserted in the body are known as acupuncture points or pressure points.

The history of acupuncture dates back to when the Chinese believed that disturbances in the body arise from an imbalance in the flow of energy called “Chi”. And acupuncture works by restoring the flow of energy or “Chi” by stimulating 14 energy pathways.

What Is Insomnia? Do I Have Insomnia?

Insomnia is a sleep disorder characterized by difficulty falling and staying asleep. You may have insomnia if you experience trouble going to sleep regularly at night and wake up frequently throughout the night.

There are three types of insomnia, transient, short-term, and chronic insomnia. Transient insomnia lasts less than one month and commonly goes away as the underlying reason is addressed without any medical treatments. It mostly occurs due to daily life problems, like exam stress, jet lag, job interview, relationship issues, etc.

Short-term insomnia lasts between one and six months and usually goes away without any medications after the stress is removed. In contrast, chronic insomnia lasts greater than six months and is more complex than transient and acute insomnia. It is usually the result of extreme or unacceptable life events, like chronic untreatable diseases or the death of any loved ones.

Which Type Of Insomnia Does Acupuncture Treat?

No matter whether you are going through transient, short-term, or chronic insomnia, acupuncture is effective for relieving all categories of insomnia. It naturally releases body hormones and neurotransmitters that regulate sleep, increase blood flow to the brain, and reduce stress.

How Does Acupuncture Work To Treat Insomnia?

Acupuncture works for insomnia in various ways. It helps relieve sleeping difficulties by increasing the release of a hormone known as melatonin. Melatonin is a natural hormone made in our body that helps regulate sleep-wake cycles.

In addition, when acupuncture points are chosen on the head, which means needles are inserted on areas near your scalp, it increases blood flow to various sleep-inducing areas of the brain, promoting sound and non-disrupting sleep throughout the night.

Moreover, by increasing blood flow in the body and brain, acupuncture works by increasing the levels of various neurotransmitters in the CNS, like endorphins, dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin. These neurotransmitters play a major role in regulating mood, sleep, digestion, and healing.

Acupuncture also modulates the activity of the autonomic nervous system which controls involuntary functions of the body, like regulating sleep and wakefulness.

Benefits Of Acupuncture For Insomnia

The benefits of acupuncture for insomnia include:

• Acupuncture helps improve the quality and duration of sleep.
  
• It helps reduce stress.
  
• It eliminates dependency on medications.
  
• Acupuncture increases blood flow to the brain, promoting relaxation, and providing stress-relieving, soothing, and calming effects.
  
• It increases natural neurotransmitters in the brain that play a vital role in regulating sleep-wake cycles and overall mood and well-being.
  
• By boosting blood flow to the brain, acupuncture helps relieve headaches. 

How Many Acupuncture Sessions Are Needed For Insomnia?

The number of sessions needed for treating insomnia depends on the severity of symptoms, type of insomnia, and patient body factors, like how the patient responds to acupuncture therapy.

On average, for transient, mild, or short-term insomnia, less than 10 sessions may be required, while for treating chronic or more severe insomnia, it may take up to 4 to 6 months to achieve full effects.

However, patients may experience a reduction in the severity of their symptoms during the course of treatment after two to three sessions. Overall, at least 3-6 acupuncture sessions are recommended for relieving insomnia.

Acupuncture Points For Insomnia

There are several acupuncture points for insomnia, including:

HT7
One of the acupuncture points where fine needles are inserted for relieving insomnia is HT7. This point is located under the bottom of your hands.

An Mian
The An Mian is the acupuncture point behind your earlobe or on either side of your neck. It is the traditional point for relieving insomnia and other brain-related issues, like headaches, vertigo, and anxiety.

SP6
Another acupuncture point for insomnia is SP6, which is the inside of the ankle of your legs. It is effective for relieving sleep disturbances, menstrual cramps, pelvic pain, and urinary issues.

Research in 2016 on breast cancer patients revealed that acupuncture needles inserted on SP6 acupressure points improved their sleep quality and well-being.

Yin Tang
The center of the eyebrows just above the nose is the Yin Tang acupuncture point that helps treat insomnia, restlessness, agitation, and fear.

Conclusion

Acupuncture is a natural therapy for insomnia that improves sleep quality and duration of sleep in multiple ways. Stress and depression are one of the most common reasons for insomnia, and acupuncture works by increasing the release of mood-regulating neurotransmitters naturally.

It lowers stress levels, reduces anxiety, improves digestion, and aids in more restful and sound sleep. Although acupuncture is not an alternative to medicinal therapy recommended by your doctor, it can prevent dependency on medications for the long-term term.