Insomnia - an alternative approach

Tracey-Ann Brown, Complementary & Oriental Medicine

Good sleep is what allows the body to rest and recuperate from the exertions of the day and function at optimum capacity. It's truly a beautiful thing. Unfortunately, many persons have difficulty staying or falling asleep, which can be torture.

Typically, a person suffering from insomnia will awaken feeling un-refreshed. This, in turn, can affect a number of daily functions such as energy level, carrying out of daily tasks, work, mood, health and affect general quality of life.

Causes

Some causes of insomnia include:

High levels of stress

Anxiety

Medical conditions which cause interruptions in sleep patterns - pain, frequent urination

Medications

Depression

Irregular sleep schedules

Disruptive/uncomfortable sleep environment

Stimulants - caffeine, nicotine

Alcohol

Heavy eating late at night

Changes in daily rhythms/schedule

Ageing

Sleep-Deprivation Effects

While many of us may think that we can function on minimal sleep. The truth is that sleep deprivation over time can slow brain function and reaction time which may reflect poorly at work and can be dangerous while driving or operating heavy machinery and increase chances of accidents.

It also increases the chances of:

Depression

Anxiety Disorders

Obesity

Irritability

Chronic diseases such as high blood pressure, blood sugar and heart disease

Treatment

A number of approaches may be taken to resolve this problem, conventional and non-conventional. Including:

Melatonin

Valerian

Acupuncture

Yoga

Meditation

Adjusting sleep habits or things known to bring on insomnia

Sleep aids

Therapy

Relaxation techniques

Prescription medications

Herbal Remedies

In Chinese medicine, herbs are usually combined to calm and settle the shen/spirit, in order to restore healthy sleep patterns, clear thoughts and reduce anxiety, irritability and restlessness.

A wide variety of herbs are available to choose from. Primary herbs include:

Suan zao ren (sour jujube seed)

Mu li (oyster shell)

Zhen zhu mu (Mother of Pearl)

In preparing herbal prescriptions, herbs may also be added to address other accompanying or underlying health issues in order to achieve optimal healing. For example, if insomnia is accompanied by feelings of stress and anxiousness, or even hot flashes, then a formula would be prepared to address all of these issues simultaneously.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture also offers an additional course of treatment for relief, alongside herbal remedies or on its own. Acu-puncture points are selected from close to 1,000 points on the body and gently stimulated. This, in turn, stimulates the central nervous system, which assists the body in restoring its self-regulating systems.

Points such as yin tang and ear shen men are key points in inducing deep, restful sleep.

Essential oils

Putting a few drops of lavender oil on the pillow at night can help relax and cultivate good sleep. Other essential oils which may be used include: ylang ylang and chamomile.

Dr Tracey-Ann Brown is an Oriental Medicine Practitioner of Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine at Revamp Comprehensive and Adjunct Lecturer at the University of Technology in Oriental/Chinese Medicine. Email: yourhealth@gleanerjm.com.

Insomnia

- an alternative approach