Insomnia is extremely common in modern society, whether it's difficulty falling asleep, poor sleep quality, waking in the middle of the night unable to return to sleep, or waking up unrefreshed. This affects health and work performance. TCM views sleep as related to Yin-Yang balance and the health of the heart, liver, and spleen.
Causes of insomnia in TCM include: heart and spleen deficiency preventing blood from nourishing the heart, liver heat from stress disrupting mental calm, and kidney deficiency causing insufficient Yin. Treatment must identify each individual's true underlying cause.
Acupuncture for insomnia stimulates points that calm the mind and balance the nervous system, such as Shenmen, Anmian, and Neiguan. This helps the body relax, reduces anxiety, and prepares the body for sleep.
Chinese herbal medicine for insomnia is formulated based on individual symptoms. For example, Suan Zao Ren and Yuan Zhi nourish the heart, while Gou Qi Zi and Du Zhong nourish the kidneys. These help achieve deeper, longer sleep without morning grogginess.
Insomnia patients typically see improvement after 2-4 weeks of treatment, starting with easier sleep onset, followed by progressively better sleep quality. Continued treatment for 2-3 months helps resolve the problem completely and prevent recurrence.