All of us will do battle with insomnia at some point in our lives. Whether because of health-related issues, pregnancy, anxiety, or noise, getting a good night's rest isn't always possible. For some people, sleep problems can last days or weeks; for others, the problem can go on for months or even years, affecting not only their sleep but also their health and quality of life.

Prescription and over-the-counter sleep medications can be helpful for a time, but they act more as a bandage, covering up the symptoms without getting to the root of the problem. Natural remedies, like melatonin, can also be helpful in regulating your sleep cycles, but if irregular sleep cycles aren't your problem, melatonin will be of little use.

Acupuncture is quickly drawing attention for its ability to get to the root of sleep problems. Rather than serve as a temporary salve, the science and philosophy behind traditional Chinese medicine can offer a long-term solution to many sleep issues. Western medicine often views insomnia as a whole, treating all who suffer from it in the same manner, usually with medication. Chinese medicine, however, looks at insomnia as a symptom of a larger underlying cause and attempts to resolve the deeper issues that are to blame. In traditional Chinese medicine, insomnia is seen as disharmony existing somewhere in the body, most often in the liver and heart, two organs that are closely connected to the spirit, or "Shen". Acupuncture pinpoints the location of the disharmony and works to create balance, ultimately resolving the issues – physical or spiritual – that caused the sleep interruptions.

If you have been suffering from sleeplessness, and medication isn't for you, acupuncture may be a good alternative. A skilled acupuncturist will gather information that may be helpful in treating the underlying cause of your insomnia and will also offer you guidance on steps you can take to alleviate the symptoms in the short-term.

Contact Alliance Healing Arts to schedule a consultation with a skilled acupuncturist:
206.632.5500
www.AllianceHealingArts.com
Info@AllianceHealingArts.com