Does acupuncture help with sleeplessness? 🥱😴

 Insomnia (失眠, Shī Mián) in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) 💤

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), #insomnia (失眠, Shī Mián) is caused by imbalances in Qi, Blood, and organ systems, particularly the Heart (心), Liver (肝), Spleen (脾), and Kidneys (肾). TCM classifies insomnia based on underlying patterns and treats it using herbs, acupuncture, diet therapy, and lifestyle adjustments.

1. TCM Causes of Insomnia

💔 A. Heart & Shen (神, Spirit) Imbalance✔ Symptoms → Difficulty falling asleep, restless sleep, vivid dreams, palpitations, anxiety✔ Cause → Heart Blood or Yin Deficiency → Fails to nourish the Shen (Spirit), leading to overactivity at night

🔥 B. Liver Fire & Qi Stagnation✔ Symptoms → Irritability, waking up between 1-3 AM, headaches, red eyes, bitter taste in mouth✔ Cause → Emotional stress, anger, or frustration causes Liver Qi to stagnate and generate Heat

🩸 C. Spleen & Heart Blood Deficiency✔ Symptoms → Light sleep, waking up easily, excessive thinking, dizziness, poor memory, digestive issues✔ Cause → Weak digestion fails to produce enough Blood to nourish the Heart and Shen

❄️ D. Kidney Yin Deficiency & Empty Fire✔ Symptoms → Waking up frequently, night sweats, hot flashes, dry mouth, lower back pain✔ Cause → Aging, overwork, or excessive sexual activity depletes Kidney Yin, leading to internal Heat disturbing sleep

🫁 E. Phlegm & Dampness Blocking the Mind✔ Symptoms → Heavy, groggy sleep, excessive dreaming, brain fog, poor digestion, nausea✔ Cause → Poor diet (too much greasy or cold food) creates Dampness, which disturbs Shen

2. TCM Herbal Formulas for Insomnia 🌿

💤 A. Difficulty Falling Asleep (Heart Blood/Yin Deficiency)

🔹 Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan (天王补心丹, Emperor Heart Nourishing Pills) → Nourishes Heart & Kidney Yin🔹 Suan Zao Ren Tang (酸枣仁汤, Sour Jujube Decoction) → Calms Shen, best for Liver-related insomnia

🔥 B. Waking Up Between 1-3 AM (Liver Heat, Stress, Qi Stagnation)

🔹 Long Dan Xie Gan Tang (龙胆泻肝汤, Gentian Liver Purge Decoction) → Clears Liver Heat🔹 Chai Hu Shu Gan San (柴胡疏肝散, Bupleurum Liver Soothing Powder) → Regulates Liver Qi

❄️ C. Frequent Waking, Night Sweats (Kidney Yin Deficiency)

🔹 Zhi Bai Di Huang Wan (知柏地黄丸, Rehmannia & Anemarrhena Formula) → Nourishes Kidney Yin, clears Empty Fire🔹 Liu Wei Di Huang Wan (六味地黄丸, Six-Ingredient Rehmannia Pill) → Strengthens Kidney Yin

🫁 D. Heavy Sleep, Brain Fog, Excess Dreaming (Dampness & Phlegm)

🔹 Wen Dan Tang (温胆汤, Warm the Gallbladder Decoction) → Clears Phlegm, harmonizes Stomach

3. Acupressure & Acupuncture for Insomnia

🔹 Best Acupoints for Sleep

✔ HT-7 (Shen Men, 神门) – Calms Shen & nourishes the Heart✔ LV-3 (Tai Chong, 太冲) – Regulates Liver Qi & relieves stress✔ SP-6 (San Yin Jiao, 三阴交) – Strengthens Spleen, Liver, & Kidneys✔ KD-3 (Tai Xi, 太溪) – Nourishes Kidney Yin✔ Yin Tang (印堂, Third Eye Point) – Calms the mind & relieves headaches

4. Diet Therapy for Insomnia 🥗

✅ Best Foods for Sleep

✔ Blood-Nourishing Foods → Red dates, goji berries, walnuts✔ Liver-Calming Foods → Chrysanthemum tea, celery, mung beans✔ Kidney-Yin Boosting Foods → Black sesame, seaweed, almonds

❌ Foods to Avoid Before Sleep

🚫 Caffeine (coffee, tea, chocolate) → Stimulates the nervous system🚫 Spicy & greasy foods → Can generate Liver Heat🚫 Cold & raw foods → Weakens digestion & Spleen Qi

5. Lifestyle Tips for Better Sleep

✔ Go to bed before 11 PM → The Liver detoxifies between 1-3 AM, so early sleep is crucial✔ Practice deep breathing or meditation → Helps calm the Shen before bed✔ Avoid using screens 1 hour before bedtime → Blue light disturbs melatonin production✔ Drink warm herbal tea → Suan Zao Ren (Sour Jujube) or Chrysanthemum tea helps relax the body

Unbalances in the kidneys, liver, spleen, or heart are the root causes of insomnia in TCM. The goal of treatment is to naturally balance the body, soothe the Shen, and enhance sleep through the use of medicines, acupuncture, food, and lifestyle modifications.

❌This information is merely informative and is not regarded as health advice. Any medical advice or diagnosis should be sought from a specialist.⭕️

Acupuncture near me at Forest Hill, New York 🔶🔷🔶🔷🔶🔷🔶🔷🔶🔷🔶🔷Dr. Phumlarp Caulo LA,c, MAc. OM, DAHMDoctor of Acupuncture/Chinese Medicine Caulo Care Acupuncture 🔖 By appointment only📧 bookingcaulocare@gmail.com☎️+1 (929) 269-4549📍 75th Forest Hills, New York🧾 We accept Cash/Credit Card/ Major Insurance & International Student Insurance#insomnia #treatbyacupunture#acupuncturetherapy #acupuncturenearme#bodywork