Hormones and the autonomic nervous system have to be balanced in order to initiate and maintain sleep. Many studies have shown that acupuncture treatments can help maintain the balance of biological chemicals in the central nervous system and promote the recovery of homeostasis.
1. Acupuncture can help your body produce more melatonin:
In an article published in the Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience, Spence et al. explored the relationship between melatonin and acupuncture treatments. They observed a significant increase in endogenous melatonin secretion in all of the 18 patients suffering from severe insomnia who were given acupuncture treatments twice a week for 5 weeks. Records of electrical and muscular states during the entire sleeping time indicated that, after acupuncture treatments, the patients took less time to fall asleep, had fewer occasions of waking up during sleep, and experienced increased total sleep time and deep sleep time. Anxiety, depression, and fatigue were also decreased. Interestingly, alertness in the morning was reduced as well.
2. Acupuncture can improve blood flow to improve sleep quality
Hecht and his colleagues studied the relationship between the blood flow to the brain and insomnia. They noted that an insufficient blood flow to the brain could lead to low sugar levels and spontaneous waking from sleep. Dr. Omura explored the effects of blood flow to the brain on the dysfunctions of various organs. When blood pressure in the head was very low (less than 30 mmHg on both sides), a majority of the subjects experienced sleep disturbances: mainly insomnia but sometimes excessive sleepiness, difficulty concentrating, forgetfulness of recent events, and various degrees of irritability. Even with normal or higher arm blood pressure, one can still have low blood pressure in one's head. It has been reported that electroacupuncture stimulation of the points ST36 and GB20 (just inferior to occipital bone, between the trapezius and sternocleidomastoid attachments) can treat insomnia by increasing the blood flow to the brain.
3. Acupuncture can decrease effects of aging:
The weakening of parasympathetic function results in the familiar signs of aging, including increased and irregular heartbeats, constipation, insomnia, erectile dysfunction, fluid retention, and systemic inflammation. These consequences may in turn contribute to many of the common diseases associated with aging, including Type-II diabetes, Alzheimer's, arteriosclerosis, and cancer. The maintenance and restoration of parasympathetic function may boost the functions of the internal organs and slow the aging process. Acupuncture generally enhances the parasympathetic nervous system.
1. Acupuncture can help your body produce more melatonin:
In an article published in the Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience, Spence et al. explored the relationship between melatonin and acupuncture treatments. They observed a significant increase in endogenous melatonin secretion in all of the 18 patients suffering from severe insomnia who were given acupuncture treatments twice a week for 5 weeks. Records of electrical and muscular states during the entire sleeping time indicated that, after acupuncture treatments, the patients took less time to fall asleep, had fewer occasions of waking up during sleep, and experienced increased total sleep time and deep sleep time. Anxiety, depression, and fatigue were also decreased. Interestingly, alertness in the morning was reduced as well.
2. Acupuncture can improve blood flow to improve sleep quality
Hecht and his colleagues studied the relationship between the blood flow to the brain and insomnia. They noted that an insufficient blood flow to the brain could lead to low sugar levels and spontaneous waking from sleep. Dr. Omura explored the effects of blood flow to the brain on the dysfunctions of various organs. When blood pressure in the head was very low (less than 30 mmHg on both sides), a majority of the subjects experienced sleep disturbances: mainly insomnia but sometimes excessive sleepiness, difficulty concentrating, forgetfulness of recent events, and various degrees of irritability. Even with normal or higher arm blood pressure, one can still have low blood pressure in one's head. It has been reported that electroacupuncture stimulation of the points ST36 and GB20 (just inferior to occipital bone, between the trapezius and sternocleidomastoid attachments) can treat insomnia by increasing the blood flow to the brain.
3. Acupuncture can decrease effects of aging:
The weakening of parasympathetic function results in the familiar signs of aging, including increased and irregular heartbeats, constipation, insomnia, erectile dysfunction, fluid retention, and systemic inflammation. These consequences may in turn contribute to many of the common diseases associated with aging, including Type-II diabetes, Alzheimer's, arteriosclerosis, and cancer. The maintenance and restoration of parasympathetic function may boost the functions of the internal organs and slow the aging process. Acupuncture generally enhances the parasympathetic nervous system.