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Acupuncture methods for insomnia caused by light sleep and easy awakening
Patients with insomnia due to light sleep and easy awakening often show symptoms such as being easily awakened by external disturbances during sleep, having difficulty falling back asleep after waking up, and poor sleep quality. If this persists for a long time, it will affect their physical health and quality of life. Acupuncture can improve this condition by regulating the meridians, qi and blood, and the functions of internal organs in the human body. The following are the specific acupuncture methods:
First, selection and function of the main acupoints
Shenmen: It is the yuan point of the Hand Shaoyin Heart Meridian. The heart governs the spirit. The Shenmen point can regulate the heart spirit and has the effect of calming the mind and soothing the spirit. It can improve symptoms such as light sleep and easy awakening, allowing the heart spirit to be stable and promoting deep sleep.
Sanyinjiao: It is the intersection point of the Foot Taiyin Spleen Meridian, the Foot Jueyin Liver Meridian, and the Foot Shaoyin Kidney Meridian. The spleen governs blood, the liver stores blood, and the kidneys store essence. Essence and blood have the same origin. Sanyinjiao can regulate the functions of the three internal organs, nourish Yin, enrich blood, and calm the mind. It is an important acupoint for improving light sleep and easy awakening.
Anmian: It is an extraordinary acupoint outside the meridians, located at the midpoint of the line connecting Yifeng and Fengchi. It is an experienced and effective acupoint for treating insomnia. It can directly act on the head, regulate the circulation of qi and blood in the brain, and have a calming and soothing effect as well as promote sleep.
Baihui: Located at the intersection of the midline of the top of the head and the line connecting the tips of both ears, it is the meeting point of all Yang energy. Acupuncture at Baihui can lift Yang qi, invigorate the brain and open the orifices. It also has the effect of calming the mind and stabilizing the will. It can regulate the nerve function of the brain and improve the problem of light sleep.
Second, the combination of acupoints and their basis
Type of deficiency of both heart and spleen: If a patient is accompanied by symptoms such as palpitations, forgetfulness, fatigue, poor appetite, and sallow complexion, it is mostly due to deficiency of both heart and spleen. It can be combined with Xinshu and Pishu. Xinshu is the back-shu point of the heart, and Pishu is the back-shu point of the spleen. Needling these two points can nourish the heart and spleen, enhance their functions, promote the generation of qi and blood, nourish the heart spirit, and thereby improve sleep.
Heart and gallbladder qi deficiency type: For patients who are easily startled by touch, timid, palpitations, shortness of breath and spontaneous sweating, it belongs to heart and gallbladder qi deficiency. It can be combined with Danshu and Qiuxu. Danshu is the back-shu point of the gallbladder, and Qiuxu is the yuan point of the Gallbladder Meridian. Acupuncture can enhance the qi of the heart and gallbladder, calm the mind, and alleviate the problem of light sleep and easy awakening caused by deficiency of heart and gallbladder qi.
Liver depression with internal heat type: If a patient experiences insomnia, frequent dreams, irritability, dizziness, head distension, red eyes and tinnitus, it is mostly due to liver depression with internal heat. It can be combined with Taichong and Xingjian. Taichong is the Yuan point of the liver Meridian, and Xingjian is the Xing point of the liver Meridian. Acupuncture can soothe the liver and regulate qi, clear liver fire, ensure smooth liver qi flow, prevent the heart spirit from being disturbed by liver fire, and improve sleep quality.
Yin deficiency with hyperactivity of fire type: Patients accompanied by restlessness, insomnia, hot flushes in the palms, soles and chest, night sweats, and soreness and weakness in the waist and knees are mostly characterized by Yin deficiency with hyperactivity of fire. It can be combined with Taixi and Zhaohai. Taixi is the Yuan point of the Kidney Meridian, and Zhaohai is the convergence point of the eight meridians. Acupuncture can nourish Yin, reduce internal heat, and connect the heart and kidneys, improving sleep problems caused by Yin deficiency and excessive internal heat.
Third, key points of acupuncture techniques
Tonifying and purging techniques: Adopt corresponding techniques based on different syndrome types. For deficiency syndromes such as deficiency of both heart and spleen, and deficiency of heart and gallbladder qi, the tonifying method should be adopted, that is, the needle should be inserted slowly and removed quickly, with light stimulation to stimulate the qi of the meridians and tonify the vital energy. For excess conditions such as liver depression transforming into fire and internal disturbance of phlegm-heat, the purgative method should be used, that is, the needle should be inserted quickly and removed slowly, with strong stimulation to eliminate the pathogenic factors. For those without obvious imbalances of cold or heat, deficiency or excess, the approach of moderate tonification and moderate purgation can be adopted.
Needle retention time: Generally, the needle is retained for 20 to 30 minutes. During the retention period, the needle can be performed every 5 to 10 minutes to maintain the needle feel. The needling techniques can be selected from twisting, lifting and thrusting, etc. The intensity of stimulation should be appropriate to the patient’s tolerance.
The depth of acupuncture: The depth of acupuncture is determined based on the location of the acupoint and the patient’s constitution. For acupoints on the head and face, such as Baihui and Anmian, the depth of acupuncture is relatively shallow, generally 0.3 to 0.5 cun. For acupoints on the limbs, such as Shenmen and Sanyinjiao, the depth of acupuncture can be appropriately increased to 0.5 to 1 cun. For acupoints on the back, such as Xinshu and Pishu, when needling, attention should be paid to the depth and Angle to avoid damaging internal organs. Generally, the needling should be done diagonally 0.5 to 0.8 cun towards the spine.
Fourth, auxiliary treatment methods
Moxibustion: For patients with a weak and cold constitution or insufficient qi and blood, moxibustion can be combined after acupuncture. For instance, moxibustion on acupoints such as Shenzhu, Guanyuan and Qihai can warm and unblock the meridians, dispel cold and dampness, nourish qi and blood, enhance the body’s resistance and improve the symptoms of light sleep and easy awakening. However, it should be noted that patients with Yin deficiency and hyperactivity of fire are not suitable for moxibustion.
Auricular point pressing: Select auricular points such as Shenmen, Xin, subcortical, and sympathetic, and apply the seeds of Wangbuliuxing to press them. By stimulating the acupoints on the ears, the functions of all the internal organs of the body can be regulated, achieving a calming and soothing effect. Patients can press 3 to 5 times a day by themselves. Press each point for 1 to 2 minutes each time, and it is appropriate to feel a sensation of soreness and distension in the local area.
Fifth, course planning and precautions
Course planning: Acupuncture treatment for insomnia with light sleep and easy awakening requires a certain period of time. Generally, 2 to 3 treatments are carried out per week, and a continuous treatment course of 4 to 6 weeks constitutes one course. The specific course of treatment can be adjusted according to the patient’s condition and the therapeutic effect.
During the treatment period, patients should maintain a regular daily routine and avoid staying up late and overwork. Keep a pleasant mood and avoid excessive emotional fluctuations. Avoid drinking strong tea, coffee and other stimulating beverages before going to bed. Create a quiet and comfortable sleeping environment. At the same time, patients should actively cooperate with the doctor’s treatment, attend follow-up visits on time, so that the doctor can adjust the treatment plan in a timely manner according to the changes in the condition.