Sleep Disorders

Insomnia > Night Sweating

Insomnia

Condition: Insomnia is a sleep disorder that affects millions of people, but can present differently from person to person. Whether you have difficulty falling asleep, you have restless sleep, wake up feeling tired or if you wake in the night and can’t fall back asleep, these can all be examples of insomnia. This can be a short-term disorder or can last for long-stretches of time; some sufferers report that insomnia can be intermittent. There are two types of insomnia; primary and secondary. Primary insomnia is not caused by a co-existing medical issue, whereas secondary insomnia is. 

TCM Approach: When treating Insomnia in TCM, both the Blood and Yin of the Heart and Liver must be evaluated. These two organs carry a lot of responsibility in regards to sleep. The Shen or Mind and the Hun or Ethereal soul need to be anchored in the Blood and Yin of the Heart and Liver to ensure a deep and restful sleep. When either substance is weak, the Mind and the Ethereal soul are said to wander causing various forms of Insomnia. Depending on the type of Insomnia exhibited will help determine the root cause and which organ systems need to be addressed.

Proposed Treatment: Insomnia is commonly treated with acupuncture to calm the nervous system, clear any Heat and move Qi if necessary. Chinese herbs can make a big impact as they are better at building Yin and Blood than acupuncture alone. Using a TCM formula daily is like having a treatment everyday. Examining one's night hygiene or their bedtime ritual is equally as important; the body likes routine and by incorporating mindfulness with a regular bedtime can be very impactful. A series of acupuncture treatments of any length along with TCM herbs, nutritional and lifestyle suggestions can be utilized until the Insomnia resolves itself.

Night Sweating

Condition: Whether soaking the sheets or feeling damp, night sweating is an uncomfortable condition which can disrupt sleep due to its hallmark symptom of excessive sweating. Chronic night sweating can be caused by a multitude of coexisting conditions such as menopause, infections, colds and flues, anxiety disorders and hyperthyroidism to name a few. 

TCM Approach: Known in Chinese as Robber or Thief Sweating, Night Sweating is very depleting to the body’s Yin energies, essentially robbing it. Night Sweating, surprisingly, is commonly caused by a Deficiency of Yin, not an Excess of Yang. Yin represents the cooling, watery energies of the body, and when it's running low, it makes the Yang energies, which are warming and dynamic, appear abundant. But not all Night Sweating is a result of Yin Deficiency. It can be caused by Damp Heat or an External Pathogenic Invasion such as the Common Cold.

Proposed Treatment: When treating Night Sweating in TCM, it is important to rule out all other factors and hone in on which pattern is responsible for the condition. A series of acupuncture treatments of any length, along with Chinese herbs can ease Night Sweating and restore the body's robbed energies. In many cases, lifestyle and nutritional recommendations will be made to compliment the in-person treatments. Cupping can also relieve the body of Heat and can be used when treating Night Sweating. Treatments should be frequent at first to conquer the sweating; Chinese herbs can also be introduced early on. Once this is achieved, treatments can taper off.