Please help…I can’t sleep! 4.89/5 (35)

Insomnia is a common problem that can affect the quality of life on many levels. Here is an interesting fact:

Studies have shown that chronic pain is linked to poor sleep habits. As acupuncturists, we treat a lot of chronic pain, so it is no surprise that we also have a lot of patients who complain of INSOMNIA.

It is interesting to read the western approach to treating insomnia.

• First try to modify your lifestyle… Go to bed earlier, begin preparing your brain for sleep two hours before bedtime, meditate, etc.
• If that doesn’t work, doctors prescribe SLEEPING PILLS which “can also become habit-forming.”
• Or—maybe you just need “counseling.”

Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine takes a completely different approach and is very good at treating insomnia. Because insomnia is caused by an underlying disharmony within the body, your job as the practitioner is to find out the root of the problem, so that you can FIX IT (not just cover it up with SLEEPING PILLS!)

There are four AcuHerb formulas that I prescribe regularly for INSOMNIA, depending on the underlying diagnosis of the sleep disturbance. Each formula is different, so it is important to have all four on your shelf. When your patient mentions that they are having trouble with INSOMNIA, you will be ready, regardless of the patient’s presentation pattern.

Below is a graph that differentiates each pattern:

I use the AcuGraph with each patient visit. My first objective is to balance the flow of energy in the meridians. Doing this first makes all the other treatments more effective. Next, I conduct a TCM pattern diagnosis.

When I apply both treatments at the same time I get better results and the Insomnia disappears in about 4-6 weeks. Now, if I add an herbal treatment the results are even more dramatic. 

A bottle of AcuHerb will last for 10 days. Each patient will need 3 bottles per month. Make sure you have plenty on hand, since you never know when the patient will admit that they haven’t been sleeping well. It’s not generally the first thing that brings them into your office…but you’ll be ready for it!

In my experience, the insomnia goes away within 3 to 4 weeks. 

Five years ago I wasn’t sure about using the AcuGraph with each patient. Not anymore! Balancing the meridians is essential for an effective treatment. Without the restoring the proper energy flow I was just chasing symptoms. Here is the link to invest in your own: AcuGraph.

Did you notice the auriculotherapy treatment protocols in the table above?

Let me tell you, I love auriculotherapy. It is so fast and effective at eliminating pain and general symptoms. Auriculo 360 is a great software tool that I won’t be without. It’s especially helpful when a patient comes in with a problem I don’t see often. 

These programs are the Google of acupuncture!

Take a few minutes and visit our website: https://www.miridiatech.com 

You will find so many tools to help you deliver better results to your patients. 

If I can learn new things… you can too!

Kimberly Thompson, L.Ac.

Acupuncture Research Analyst

Miridia Technology Inc.