Acupuncture - an Effective Treatment for Insomnia

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Acupuncture an Effective Treatment for Insomnia

• Dr. Ruth Lever Kidson

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How Does Acupuncture Work?

• Acupuncture is a holistic therapy . . . it treats
  the whole person, not just the symptoms.
• Acupuncture theory states that Qi - energy or
  life force runs through the body in a series of
  channels or meridians. If the flow of Qi is
  interrupted or becomes imbalanced, illness can
  result. By inserting needles in the right
  places, the acupuncturist can restore the flow of
  Qi to normal.

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Yin Yang

• According to acupuncture theory, everything has a
  yin aspect and a yang aspect, in much the same
  way that everything has a right side and a left
  side.
• Yang is associated with activity and with heat,
  while yin is calm and cool.
• And, unlike right and left, yin and yang can
  become imbalanced.

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The Role of Yin Yang in Sleep

• In order to be able to sleep, the bodys yang
  energy has to move inwards while the yin energy
  emerges.
• So things which stimulate the bodys yang (such
  as stress, exercise, spicy foods, alcohol and
  caffeine) can interfere with sleep.
• Conversely, things which stimulate yin (such as
  soft lighting, gentle music, meditation and
  chamomile herbal preparations) can assist sleep.

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The Meridians

• Each pair of meridians (one on the left side of
  the body and one on the right) is associated with
  one of the organs of the body.
• Three meridians where an imbalance may spark off
  insomnia are the Heart Meridian, the Spleen
  Meridian and the Liver Meridian as they are
  affected by anxiety (Heart), worry (Spleen) and
  stress (Liver).
• Qi runs through the meridians in a set order over
  a 24 hour period and the time at which the person
  tends to wake up may give a clue as to which
  meridian needs treatment.

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Treating Insomnia with Acupuncture

• The acupuncturist will diagnose where the
  imbalance lies and will use specific points to
  restore the flow of Qi to normal.
• Ruth Lever Kidsons book Is Acupuncture Right
  for You? is available from Amazon.
• For more information on complementary, orthodox
  and self-help methods of treating insomnia go to
• http//www.HowToSleepSoundly.com