Acupuncture For Sleep Improvement

Multiple studies have demonstrated acupuncture to be an effective treatment for insomnia. Acupuncture lessens anxiety, stimulates melatonin production, induces sleep onset, and reduce sleep disruption and arousal during the night. All of these effects amount to an overall increase in total sleep time.

An initial consultation may take up to 1 hour, followed by subsequent appointments of about 30 minutes. Depending on what condition the individual is seeking treatment for, anywhere from 6 to 8 appointments is average.

During the session, the patient lies down on a table, similar to a massage. The acupuncturist will insert needles at pressure points which may or may not be close to where the patient is actually experiencing the pain or discomfort. Anywhere between 5 to 20 needles are typical for use during a single treatment. The acupuncturist may move, twirl, heat, or apply electric pulses to the needles, depending on your symptoms. The needles are very thin so most individuals experience little to no discomfort or just a slight ache. The patient simply lies still while the needles remain in places for up to 20 minutes, at which point the acupuncturist will painlessly remove them.