Many people who suffer from chronic insomnia experience fatigue, an increased risk of illnesses, foggy thought processes, and reduced quality of life. There are several conventional forms of insomnia treatments, such as pharmaceuticals, but these often come with a long list of side effects and only offer a short-term solution. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offers an alternative option for insomnia treatment that takes a natural and energetic approach to address the root cause of sleeping difficulties. By taking a holistic route via TCM, you can address the underlying cause of your insomnia and find balance and relief.
Key takeaways:
What Traditional Chinese Medicine is and how it works.
The importance of maintaining a cyclical rhythm for the body.
How to balance the yin qi and yang qi.
Causes for insomnia and yin and yang qi imbalances.
Traditional Chinese Medicine insomnia treatments.
How to make simple lifestyle changes to benefit the body as a whole, and get a better night’s sleep.
What is Traditional Chinese Medicine?
TCM is an alternative medicine practice rooted in ancient Taoist beliefs that date back over 5,000 years. It has been used to treat all kinds of ailments, from joint pain to digestive issues, to skin conditions, and more.
The idea of TCM is based on promoting balance throughout the body. Every part of the body, from the skeletal structure to the organs, supports each other. If one organ is deficient, it affects the body as a whole. TCM works to restore balance and free up qi blockages throughout the body. Some aspects of TCM treatments include:
Acupuncture
Herbal medicine
Guasha/cupping
Manual therapy and bodywork
Movement and concentrated exercise
Nutritional therapy
The treatments in TCM are applied to allow the body to naturally heal itself. Specialized techniques are used to balance the complementary energies in the body known as the yin and the yang to integrate wellness and healing throughout for natural relief.
How can TCM help with insomnia?
When it comes to using Traditional Chinese Medicine for insomnia treatments, it’s important to understand that there is a cyclical flow within the body. Meaning, in life we base our daily activities and schedules on time - our organs work the same way. The body needs a rhythmic cycle to function properly. Ask yourself:
What time do you go to sleep?
What time do you wake up?
Are these times different from day to day and night to night?
Are you staying consistent?
What times do you feel sluggish and fatigued during the day?
The body is an intelligent and complex system. If you are inconsistent with your patterns and habits, the body tries to follow, and it can become confused as to when it’s time to shut down or wake up. Maintaining consistency is key for effective insomnia treatments.
TCM recognizes that insomnia comes from an imbalance of energy, otherwise known as the yin and yang qi. The yin qi and yang qi play opposite roles in energy distribution through the natural rhythm of the body. The yang qi fuels the body’s activities during the day and helps keep us warm and alert, while the yin qi helps us slow down at night, cooling and relaxing the body in preparation for sleep. If this natural rhythm is disrupted, it causes an imbalance in the body’s energy, resulting in insomnia.
What causes yin and yang qi Imbalances?
There are many causes for yin and yang qi imbalances that stem from our behavior, habits, and health. Keep these potential causes in mind so that you are aware of what the source of your insomnia might be, and make lifestyle changes accordingly. Before making any drastic changes, however, it is important to discuss your symptoms and needs with one of our physicians to safely and properly manage your energy and wellness.
Yin and yang qi imbalances are typically caused by:
Poor dietary habits, such as overeating, eating heavy meals, and consuming caffeinated or alcoholic beverages.
Emotional imbalances, such as anger, sorrow, or extreme happiness.
Exhaustion from activities like over-stimulating the brain or excessive workouts.
Prolonged chronic illnesses.
Aging.
By bringing the yin and yang qi back into balance, you can restore the body into a state of healing and relief, allowing you to sleep through the night without having to take pills or go through any invasive treatments.
Traditional Chinese Medicine Remedies
In TCM, there are insomnia treatments that can be used for relief, depending on the underlying factors. It’s important to get a comprehensive analysis before any treatment is performed to determine the root cause of your insomnia symptoms.
Certain herbs and teas may be used to help balance the “qi,” including:
Spinal date seed
Lily bud
Dried longan
Bo zi ren herb
Chamomile
Albizia julibrissin flower
Rose bud
The idea of using Chinese herbs as a botanical medicine for healing goes back thousands of years. The herbal combination is tailor-made for each individual’s unique needs. There are little to no side effects of taking Chinese herbs, making it safe for all different types of patients, from adults with chronic conditions to pregnant women, and even children.
Additionally, supplementing herbs and teas with acupuncture treatments can also bring insomnia relief, as well as massaging acupuncture points, which can improve circulation and energy distribution throughout the body.
Making a few lifestyle adjustments can also help to relieve insomnia, such as:
Soaking the feet in warm water for 20 minutes before going to bed
Deep breathing exercises or meditation
Listening to relaxing music
Avoiding electronic device usage 30 minutes to an hour before going to bed
Insomnia may also be a symptom of a greater health concern. If left untreated, potential underlying conditions could worsen and your energy levels will continue to be affected, resulting in poor work performance, concentration, memory, and overall health and quality of life.
TCM for insomnia at EACUWell
At EACUWell, we are dedicated to utilizing alternative methods of treatment through Traditional Chinese Medicine to treat our patients with comprehensive, all-natural care. Our goal for insomnia patients is to bring their bodies back into balance and help them understand what is causing their poor sleep.
To learn more about how TCM works for insomnia treatments, contact us today. Our naturopathic physicians are here and ready to answer any questions you may have about treating your insomnia through a holistic approach and Traditional Chinese Medicine.
