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Insomnia - A Great Example of the Differences Between Chinese and Western Medicine

Writer's picture: Winding Path AcupunctureWinding Path Acupuncture

Woman sleeping


We typically think of insomnia as a pretty straightforward diagnosis - it is the inability to get a good night's sleep, whether that stems from the inability to fall asleep, to stay asleep, or perhaps both. While there are some lifestyle changes that doctors and acupuncturists alike may recommend, this is generally treated conventionally with pharmaceuticals or other medications that induce drowsiness. For some, this is helpful, but for others it is not.


In Chinese Medicine, however, insomnia may fall into one of several different categories, as a symptom of a broader pathology with a specific presentation. This is why your acupuncturist will want to know, "Is it trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or both?" Follow-up questions may include, "Do you experience night sweats? Vivid dreams or nightmares? Heart palpitations? Feel foggy headed? Always wake up between 1 and 3 AM? Wake up to use the bathroom and find yourself unable to get back to sleep? Do you find that you are unable to calm your mind and thoughts when you go to bed?" All of these additional symptoms may represent a certain Chinese Medicine diagnosis. For example, there is Heart yin and/or blood deficiency, Kidney yin deficiency, Pericardium Fire, or Liver Yang rising, just to name a few. Determining through differential diagnosis which symptoms are present alongside the patient's chief complaint is how we select the proper treatment plan for each patient.


Typically we will ask these questions to pinpoint which organ system or systems we believe to be the root of the insomnia, and ask more detailed questions as we narrow down the list of potential causes for that symptom. Although it may be confusing to be asked questions about soreness in your back or knees when you are coming in for trouble sleeping, this is because we look at the body as a whole when creating our treatments.


With the info gleaned from your intake, we may then check your pulses and look at your tongue for further confirmation of what we suspect may be responsible for your insomnia and other symptoms. The thing to keep in mind, however, is that we aren't specifically treating insomnia - this is because we see insomnia as a symptom, a manifestation of a different pathological imbalance within the body. From the Chinese Medicine perspective, insomnia is a branch of the tree, and the Disharmony between Heart and Kidneys is the root. By addressing the root, we aim to restore the balance within the body, and thus alleviate the symptoms of insomnia.


This is why if I treat a dozen different patients experiencing some form of insomnia, I am creating a dozen different treatment plans for them, as each must be seen as an individual.


If you are experiencing difficulty sleeping, one of the first things I check with my patients is their sleep hygiene. Here's a brief list of my recommendations to set yourself up for a good night's sleep:

  • Don't eat a big meal late in the evening - try to have dinner before 8 PM, and aim to be in bed around 10.

  • Limit screen time before bed and especially IN bed.

  • During screen time, use blue-light blocking glasses, or adjust the color temperature of your device (many phones and tablets have a dusk or twilight mode for this purpose).

  • Try not to engage in anything that requires lots of physical or mental strain before bed.

  • Create a wind-down routine (ex, have a cup of herbal tea, read a book or magazine, meditate, do breathing exercises or gentle yoga), and stick to it, especially in the beginning.

I will also offer some OTC suggestions like CBD and melatonin as natural options to my patients, along with herbal recommendations when applicable. If you have any further questions or would like to know more, please reach out!

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