Insomnia is one of the most common problems people face today, long term insomnia leads to many long term health issues including depression, fatigue, low libido, irritability and even pre-mature ageing.
There are many reasons for insomnia but one of the contributing factors is stress, stress causes many hormonal imbalances within the body including the release of the hormones that control sleep specifically melatonin.
How Acupuncture Helps
Research has shown that acupuncture is able to directly improve the quality of sleep by increasing natural levels of melatonin in the brain.
Acupuncture is also well known for its ability to control stress levels and to treat the negative effects that stress has on your health that can lead to insomnia.
Acupuncture is none addictive and the benefits last long after the treatments have finished as well as being able to improve sleep there are many other health benefits.
Acupuncture treatments for insomnia are holistic and tailored to suit each individuals situation and health condition, we will treat the underlying cause of the problem and not just the symptoms.
A one pill fixes all approach to insomnia as in the use of sleeping pills is not going to solve the problem, in fact it will only create new ones (read below). “To solve a problem you need a solution, not another problem“.
The Dangers of Sleeping Pills
Long-term studies on the effects of sleeping pills don’t show encouraging results. In fact the one major conclusion from all studies is that insomniacs are better off without sleeping pills than they are with them. One study alone that surveyed over 2,000,000 people, found that chronic use of sleeping pills are as deadly as cigarette smoking.
The case against sleeping pills is compelling. The following information points out some important reasons why sleeping pills should not be considered.
Those who use sleeping pills have significantly higher mortality rates than those who do not Sleeping pills (& even the newer generations) do little or nothing to improve chronic insomnia and cause long-term chemical dependency
Sleeping pills reduce brain cell activity during the day, affecting short-term memory as well as causing a hangover effect
Sleeping pills accentuate the GABA neurotransmitter, which keeps the nerve cells in the lung tissue from firing. This is why an overdose of sleeping pills will cause asphyxiation and over 1000 overdose related deaths each year (USA), GABA actuation is also responsible for impaired physical ability.
Each year, thousands of traffic deaths (USA) , accidents and falls (especially in the elderly) are attributed to sleeping pills Sleep Apnoea Patients should never take sleeping pills.
Sleeping pills increase the pauses and length of pause in breathing. Someone with sleep apnoea could suffer brain or ocular damage from the lack of oxygen or even death, anyone over the age of 40 should be cautioned against sleeping pills, and anyone over the age of 65 should never take sleeping pills.
Studies show that almost all people over 40 have some symptoms of sleep apnoea, and anyone over 65 would be clinically diagnosed with sleep apnoea.
Sleeping pills create a hypnotic dependency similar to alcohol and lower inhibitions and fear of pain or consequences. This is one reason why sleeping pills contribute to accidents and why chronic sleeping pill users are less likely to worry or take care of themselves.
Sleeping pills are highly addictive.
Sleeping pills are similar to barbiturates and are extremely difficult to stop using.
Although sleeping pills do not improve daytime functioning, people still prefer taking them because of the barbiturate feel-good effect they produce.
As with many addictive drugs, they may not be helpful, but we feel good when we take them
If you would like to make an appointment or if you require more information you may email us at info@taupoacupuncture.co.nz
This page was last updated on the 22/03/2022