Our society changes with new advances in technology and communication devices and insomnia is more frequent than ever before. Shift work and computer use at night make the human body feel restless and add to insomnia’s increased frequency. This lack of sleep may worsen recreational addictions, such as caffeine, alcohol, food, and nicotine, rising incidents of sleep deprivation and insomnia.
Greater sleeping time is seen in babies and than in the elderly. Therefore, we must consider the person’s age because sleep duration often depends on the individual’s age. These patterns gradually change as we get older. Also, the way we live in this society is taking a toll on how well and how long we rest each night. According to the National Sleep Foundation, approximately 20% of Americans report getting less than 6 hours of sleep each night on average. The amount of Americans being able to rest a full 8 hours is decreasing.
Too little sleep is detrimental to the body because the body cannot detoxify itself and renew itself.
Detoxification activities occur in the liver and kidneys while depriving our bodies of the necessary hours of sleep. We contribute yet another side effect of insomnia—weight gain, just one more result of toxicity.
As per Oriental medicine, insomnia is a yin-yang disorder, where yin is suppressed and decreased, and yang is restless and increased. When there is no harmonious balance, insomnia ensues. It is essential to have a good night’s rest every night to rejuvenate and eliminate waste and toxins accumulated in the body during the day due to stress, metabolic waste from food, toxins, etc. This is why, as part of the regular doctor-patient interview, it is essential that doctors ask patients about their sleeping patterns, how well they sleep, if it is difficult to fall asleep or remain asleep if they dream and if so, the severity of the dreams?
Acupuncture and Oriental medicine have helped many patients balance their bodies, restore their sleep, and get the rest they need to function well and productively.
Please request a consultation with an acupuncturist to evaluate and determine how acupuncture can help your body sleep well and get the rest it needs.
by Consuelo Camarillo de Gonzalez Lic. A.C.
HEALTHY MAGAZINE
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