How Chinese Medicine Understands Insomnia

Unlike Western medicine, which often treats insomnia as a symptom, Chinese Medicine views insomnia as a reflection of deeper internal imbalances. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine theory, insomnia is associated with a disturbance or agitation of the Shen. The Shen represents our consciousness or spirit. Shen disturbance can happen for various reasons:

• The Shen may not be adequately nourished by Qi, Blood or Yin and so becomes unanchored or uneasy

• The Shen may be overstimulated by Heat and is therefore unable to settle at night

• The Shen may be “locked in” or agitated by a blockage in Qi or Blood flow

Common Chinese Medicine Patterns of Diagnoses Associated with Insomnia

• LIV Blood Deficiency: Difficulty falling asleep or frequent waking and vivid dreams. Forgetfulness, sore eyes and irritability.

• Liver Qi Stagnation: Restlessness, irritability, and waking between 1-3am. Associated with stress, anxiety or depression.

• Spleen and Heart Qi Deficiency: Light, unrefreshing sleep, fatigue, and poor memory. Over occurs with overthinking.

• Kidney Yin Deficiency: Chronic insomnia, hot flushes, and dry mouth—common in menopause.

Each person’s insomnia is different, and that’s why Chinese medicine doesn’t offer one-size-fits-all solutions. At East Melbourne Acupuncture, we conduct a thorough Traditiona Chinese Medicine diagnosis—including tongue and pulse assessment—to determine your unique pattern of imbalance.

Acupuncture for Sleep Issues

Acupuncture may be considered an effective natural therapy for treating insomnia. It works by regulating the nervous system, increasing melatonin production, reducing stress and restoring internal harmony.

Clinical Evidence:

Multiple clinic trials have examined the effectiveness of insomnia acupuncture treatment

• A systematic review published in Sleep Medicine concluded acupuncture was associated with significant improvements in several objective sleep parameters, including increases in total sleep time and sleep efficiency, and reductions in number of awakening times during the night (1).

• Studies examining insomnia associated with various conditions including obstructive sleep apnoea (2), ischemic stroke (3), perimenopause (4), Parkinsons Disease (5) and cancer (6) showed significant improvements in sleep quality and quantity.

• A study examining acupuncture during pregnancy found an increase in melatonin levels together with significantly improved sleep (7).

• fMRI research has shown that acupuncture can modulate brain activity related to sleep regulation and stress response (8)

Research Based Results

What to Expect from Acupuncture Treatments

At East Melbourne Acupuncture, our gentle acupuncture treatments are calm and deeply relaxing. Most patients feel a sense of stillness and sleepiness during the treatment, which may continue for some time. Soothing music and sleep meditation tracks played through noise-cancelling headphones enhance the effect. A full acupuncture course typically involves 1–2 treatments per week for 4–8 weeks, depending on the severity and duration of insomnia.

Chinese Herbal Medicine for Better Sleep

Chinese herbal formulas are customised blends of plant-based ingredients designed to nourish the body, calm the Shen (spirit) and resolve underlying disharmonies that disturb sleep.

• A recent study of 116 people with primary insomnia found Chinese herbal medicine increased average sleep time compared to the placebo group (9).

• A large-scale meta-analysis of 58 clinical trials with 4590 participants with obstructive sleep apnoea showed Chinese herbal medicine enhanced sleepiness and improved various other health aspects including cognitive function, blood pressure and respiratory function (10)

An integrated Approach: Acupuncture + Chinese Herbal Medicine

Many of our patients see the best results from a combined approach that uses both acupuncture and Chinese herbs. This synergy often enhances therapeutic outcomes and supports long-term health.

Our practitioners take time to understand your unique health history and develop a tailored Chinese medicine treatment plan.