How often do you find yourself staring at the bedroom ceiling, willing sleep to come? For those who suffer from insomnia, falling and/or staying asleep is difficult most nights. Fortunately, there’s a way to start waking up feeling fully rested that doesn’t involve sleeping pills, earplugs or a warm glass of milk—acupuncture.

Originating in China more than one thousand years ago, acupuncture has been embraced by much of Western medicine as a way to promote natural well-being. This alternative medicine has a myriad of benefits, relieving everything from chronic pain and migraines to anxiety and insomnia.  

A double-blind study from the Department of Radiotherapy and Oncology in San Gerardo Hospital, Italy found that 60% of patients with sleep disorders saw improvements after two weeks of acupuncture. Notably, 79% of cancer patients participating in the study reported an improvement in their quality of sleep. A 2004 report reported that acupuncture can also encourage the body to produce more melatonin, a hormone that helps regulate your sleep cycle.

During your appointment, an acupuncturist will use fine needles, pressure and/or heat to target specific points along your body’s meridians. By stimulating the nerves, muscles and connective tissues, acupuncture helps trigger your brain to release a slew of neural hormones and endorphins that help you sleep, relax, fight pain, and recouperate.

Think of meridians as energy highways that connect to your body’s internal organs and acupressure points. Manipulating these points can improve a person’s qi (pronounced “chee”) which is the energy that flows through these pathways.

When qi is unable to flow through the body, these forces get thrown off balance. The practice is based on yin and yang, which are two opposing forces that inhabit the body in Eastern philosophy. According to acupuncture therapy, the disruption of these forces is the chief cause of insomnia.

If you’re tired of tossing and turning all night, schedule an acupuncture therapy appointment with Marie A. Gonzales, L. Ac. in Nyack, NY. Marie has been practicing acupuncture for more than 20 years, along with complementary treatments like cupping therapy, holistic health consultations and IonCleanse® foot detox. Learn more about this acupuncturist’s approach to natural wellness by visiting her website or calling (845) 398-1312.