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Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM) for Insomnia


1. Treatments for Insomnia &
Sleep Disturbances

 Restful sleep is an essential part of good health and for quality of life. 

I specialise in Insomnia and Sleep Disturbances. This is the link to my Clinic http://www.forestrock.com/563.htm for location, times, and prices.

Insomnia and Sleeplessness are signs that something is out of balance. If your sleep is disturbed it will effect the day to day energy of your body and ultimately your immune system. 

Things that help Insomnia

If this is the case, TCM and Acupuncture have been a trial and proven means to resolve this dysfunction. There is about 6 main causes that cause Insomnia so visiting your Acupuncturist or coming to see me, where we can work together to determine the cause of the imbalance and treat it appropriately. You will be amazed at how a good night's sleep can affect and change your life. With rest your energy will increase, your immune system will be strengthened and with the extra energy your body you may be able to resolve other health issues that you may have.

Activity prior to sleep should be to help slow down the body and mind, meditation or gentle stretching and breathing exercises such as Qigong can help prepare the body for sleep. A cup of chamomile or valerian teas are beneficial, for some soaking the feet in warm water helps to draw the energy down from the head and quiet the mind, a gentle foot massage can relax the body and the mind as well. For more serious sleep disturbance a personalized herbal remedy can be prescribed along with acupuncture treatments directed at benefiting sleep and restoring balance.

I like to use the analogy 'If you had as much sleep as a child, you too would have as much energy as one.' 

This is a link to a FREE Qigong exercise for Insomnia.  Try it, it works especially if you have a busy mind.
http://www.forestrock.com/w/Insomnia-Qigong-(-Part-1-)

In Chinese medicine, sleep is seen as one's yang energy moving into the heart to rest, the term in TCM as 'Housing the Shen'. Many different imbalances can hinder this process. Pain can disrupt  Sleep, cardiovascular or digestive disorders, hormonal imbalances, anxiety, stress and depression. Many Biomedical medications have side effects that create Insomnia. With the way the world is one of the main difficulties is quieting the mind, also sleep can be disturbed by light or sound.

The levels of Insomnia can vary from 'Not being able to fall asleep easily' to 'Not been able to get to sleep at all'.

Things that may not help with Insomnia.

 Some foods and drinks should be avoided in the evening such as spicy foods, heavy meats, rich sauces, chocolate anything with high levels of sugar, alcohol and caffeine. 

Stressful or intensive mental work should be avoided if possible in the evenings.

Vigorous and strenous exercise that speeds up the heart and circulation.

Children will also benefit from proper sleep. Many parents whose children are poor sleepers, or wake frequently or early, worry that an earlier bedtime would make things worse. Just the opposite can be true. An earlier bedtime can lead to a deeper more restful sleep with fewer interruptions. Chronic or frequent colds, ear infections, extremes of energy (highs and lows) throughout the day, can be brought into balance with good restful sleep.

Very Important information 

Between 9.00pm and 12.00am  are the premium sleep hours in Chinese medicine, as there is less going on in the body than at any other time of the day. It is said that each hour from 9pm to 12am is the equivalent of two hours.

Quality of Sleep is about Quality of life

Lets get back too waking up in the morning and not feeling tired, you can!  
Lets get the spring back in your step.

let this be you in the morning.