Insomnia |
Kimberly has a very good success rate for sleep disorders. Insomnia is the most common sleep disorder. Over 100 million Americans are estimated to have occasional sleep problems, and about 1 in 6 have chronic insomnia and consider Insomnia should not dictate when or for how long you sleep. It can be frustrating and scary when any disease or disorder takes away control. Oriental medicine will lead you back to a place of balance and calm, giving you the power to lay insomnia to rest.Thiscan be a serious problem. Insomnia can be described in terms of both duration and severity.
Symptoms of insomnia can be different for each individual, and people with insomnia might experience a variety of symptoms, such as:
Difficulty falling asleep, which can mean lying in bed for up to an hour or more, perhaps tossing and turning, wishing for sleep to begin.
Awakening during sleep and having trouble getting back to sleep.
Awakening too early in the morning..
Feeling unrefreshed upon awakening.
Daytime irritability, drowsiness, anxiety, and/or nonproductiveness.
It's common for older adults to sleep less deeply and for less time than they did earlier in life, and to experience fragmented sleep.
Insomnia can be caused by:
Stress related factors - significant personal events, such as losing a job, marital problems, stress and worry.
Restless leg syndrome - an unpleasant tickling, burning, pricking or aching sensations in the muscles of the legs.
Lifestyle factors -. Excessive caffeine consumption, alcohol and drug abuse, poor sleeping habits, shift work change and misuse of certain medications
Circadian Rhythm Sleep Disorder - (Sleep-wake Disorder), which occurs when your internal clock gets out of sync with your sleep schedule.
In traditional Chinese medicine insomnia is related to disturbance of the Kidney or "spirit". The Heart "house" the Kidney, which includes the "mind" and the mental process. When the Kidney is not "housed properly, it "floats", the mind becomes agitated, and sleep is disturbed. The Blood nourishes the Heart and the Kidney; thus weakness of Heart Blood can lead to insomnia. Any condition of emotional or mental turmoil may disturb the Kidney.
Acupuncture:
Some reports suggest that acupuncture may have a nearly 90% success rate for the treatment of insomnia. Through a complex series of signals to the brain, acupuncture increases the amount of certain substances in the brain, such as serotonin, which promote relaxation and sleep.Acupuncture has a calming effect on the nervous system. It clears obstructions in the muscle and nerve channels, facilitates the flow of oxygen-enriched energy and relaxes the system. Common noted benefits of acupuncture include deeper breathing, improved digestive abilities, better sleeping patterns, decrease in various pains and a general sense of well being, which are all excellent treatments for insomnia. General acupuncture protocol for the treatment of chronic insomnia includes 10 initial treatments at two to three treatments per week, followed by a two to four week observational period and possibly one treatment per week.
Insomnia may have a number of causes, including stress, depression or anxiety; irregular work schedules; medications, drug or alcohol abuse; major life changes; chronic pain, hyperthyroidism or arthritis. Acupuncture and herbs for insomnia have high success rates with each insomnia symptom and can therefore treat insomnia at its root.
A study published recently in the American Journal of Chinese Medicine, reports that patients who received acupressure and transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) experienced a significant improvement in their insomnia symptom, including problems of fatigue, sleep quality and depression. The results from this study suggest that acupressure or TEAS might have an important role in managing patients with fatigue, poor sleep quality and depression.
Oriental medicine relates insomnia to the heart. Of course, an insomnia remedy would include a complete diagnosis and treatment system that would focus on each individual, and the many syndromes that are differentiated within the context of insomnia would be explored. Other organ systems and syndromes may be involved, and until the body is brought back into balance through Oriental medicine treatment such as herbs for insomnia and acupuncture, each insomnia symptom will continue.
Learn to relax physically.
INSOMNIA TIPS
Techniques such as yoga, meditation, biofeedback and progressive relaxation, as well as acupuncture and massage, can help your body become more restful.
Have a regular bedtime
If you are not asleep after an hour, get up, go to another room and do something relaxing until you feel sleepy. Don't try to force yourself to sleep.
Reduce food and drinks that increase sleep problems
Heavy meals before bedtime, late afternoon or evening consumption of alcohol, chocolate, tea, coffee and caffeinated soda should be avoided. Consider adding herbs for insomnia to your diet as well.
Keep in shape
Regular exercise helps with stress and reduces fatigue, both of which can exacerbate insomnia. Systems such as Tai Chi or Qigong are gentler exercises that balance staying fit with staying relaxed.
Treat physical problems
If physical pain or discomfort is a factor in the inability to fall asleep, don't put up with it. Acupuncture has proven successful in treating pain associated with arthritis and many other physical conditions.
Nutritional Counseling and Lifestyle Changes
Nutrition can contribute to the cause and cure of insomnia. Excess protein and the over reliance on stimulants and quick-energy foods contribute to fatigue by weighing on the liver, kidneys and intestines. Quick fix foods increase the depletion of the body-mind energy reserves. Tailoring a diet that includes foods such as whole grains, beans, vegetables and fruits to the individual replenishes energy and diffuses built-up stress.
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