Many people overlook non-Western treatments when it comes to sleep problems. But the ancient Chinese practise of acupuncture has used to treat insomnia for thousands of years. Tossing and turning at night is a bigger problem than you might think. An estimated 30-50% of Americans are believed to suffer from some form of insomnia. Struggling to sleep at night is not only frustrating, but it can also expose you to different health problems down the line. In a more immediate sense, lacking sleep can cause stress, ruin your concentration, and increase irritability.
Sleeping pills seem to be the solution that most people turn to for their insomniac problems. Unfortunately, many sleeping medications can have side effects of their own. They also do nothing to correct the actual issues causing a person’s insomnia.
Experts disagree on a universal way to treat insomnia due to the various ailments that can cause it. Insomnia can stem from psychological issues, stress, aches and pains gained throughout the day, and plenty of other issues.
How acupuncture can help you sleep?
Many times, it’s difficult to pinpoint the true cause of a person’s insomnia. Luckily, there’s a treatment for insomnia that can positively affect many of the most common symptoms – acupuncture.
It can sound intimidating for those who aren’t well versed in acupuncture. The National Health Interview Survey found out that only 7% of Americans have been to an acupuncture session; that means an overwhelming majority of people are missing out on a natural solution to sleeping more soundly.
What is acupuncture? Acupuncture draws its origins from an ancient Chinese medical philosophy to balance qi and to make sure it flows unhindered within the body. While this belief might not hold up in Western medicine, it’s still a theory that’s impressively close to the truth considering acupuncture’s ability to aid the body in achieving homeostasis.
Authored by: Alex Briggs
Alex Briggs is a contributing author for Sleep Masters.
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