Jane Eaglesham Acupuncture

Acupuncture for Insomnia: A Traditional Chinese Medicine Perspective

Sleep is one of the foundations of health. When it is restful and consistent, it restores the body, calms the mind, and helps us meet each day with clarity and resilience. But when sleep is disrupted, everything else can feel harder. Insomnia is one of the most common issues people face today, and it takes many forms: difficulty falling asleep, waking frequently through the night, early morning waking, or restless sleep that doesn’t feel refreshing.

Modern life—with its screens, stress, and irregular routines—certainly plays a role. But insomnia has been recognised and treated in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for thousands of years. Acupuncture, herbal medicine, and lifestyle guidance all offer effective, natural ways to support healthy sleep.

In this post, we’ll explore how TCM understands insomnia, the different “patterns” that can cause it, and how acupuncture works to restore balance. We’ll also share practical tips you can use at home to improve sleep quality.

Understanding Insomnia in Traditional Chinese Medicine

In Western medicine, insomnia is generally classified as a sleep disorder, sometimes linked with anxiety, depression, or stress. In TCM, insomnia is seen as a sign of imbalance in the flow of Qi (energy), Blood, and Yin and Yang within the body. Sleep is governed by the Heart and the Shen (spirit or mind). When the Shen is calm, sleep is peaceful; when disturbed, sleep is restless or absent.

But the Heart rarely acts alone. Other organ systems influence sleep:

The Liver stores Blood and regulates the smooth flow of Qi. When Liver Qi or Blood is imbalanced, it can disturb the Shen.
The Spleen produces Qi and Blood. Weakness here can lead to an undernourished Heart and restless mind.
The Kidneys store Essence and anchor Yin and Yang. If depleted, Yin cannot contain Yang at night, leading to difficulty sleeping.

By identifying which systems are out of balance, I can tailor treatment to the individual, rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach.

Common TCM Patterns of Insomnia

Here are some of the main patterns of insomnia described in Traditional Chinese Medicine:

1. Heart Yin Deficiency

Symptoms: Difficulty falling asleep, frequent waking, vivid dreams, palpitations, night sweats, dry mouth or throat.
Explanation: Yin is cooling and calming. If Heart Yin is insufficient, Yang flares up and disturbs the Shen.
Acupuncture focus: Nourish Yin, calm the Shen, anchor the Heart. Points may include HT-7 (Shenmen), SP-6 (Sanyinjiao), and KI-3 (Taixi).

2. Liver Qi Stagnation Turning to Heat

Symptoms: Trouble falling asleep, irritability, vivid or disturbing dreams, headaches, red eyes, feeling hot at night.
Explanation: Stagnant Liver Qi generates internal heat, which rises and agitates the mind.
Acupuncture focus: Move Liver Qi, clear heat, settle the Shen. Points may include LR-3 (Taichong), GB-20 (Fengchi), and LI-4 (Hegu).

3. Spleen and Heart Qi Deficiency

Symptoms: Light sleep, frequent waking, difficulty concentrating, poor memory, fatigue, poor appetite, pale complexion.
Explanation: Weak Spleen cannot generate enough Qi and Blood to nourish the Heart, leaving the Shen unrooted.
Acupuncture focus: Tonify Spleen Qi, nourish Heart Blood, calm the Shen. Points may include ST-36 (Zusanli), BL-20 (Pishu), and HT-7 (Shenmen).

4. Kidney Yin Deficiency with Empty Heat

Symptoms: Difficulty falling asleep, frequent waking, tinnitus, lower back pain, night sweats, hot flushes, anxiety.
Explanation: Kidney Yin is the foundation of Yin throughout the body. When depleted, Yang rises unchecked, disturbing the Heart and Shen.
Acupuncture focus: Nourish Kidney Yin, anchor Yang, calm Shen. Points may include KI-3 (Taixi), BL-23 (Shenshu), and HT-6 (Yinxi).

5. Phlegm-Heat Obstructing the Mind

Symptoms: Restless sleep, heavy feeling in the head, chest oppression, dizziness, poor digestion, profuse phlegm.
Explanation: Dampness and phlegm accumulate, transform into heat, and obstruct the clear communication between Heart and Shen.
Acupuncture focus: Transform phlegm, clear heat, open the orifices. Points may include ST-40 (Fenglong), CV-12 (Zhongwan), and PC-5 (Jianshi).

Each of these patterns describes a different root cause of insomnia. In clinic, I often see combinations of these, and treatment evolves as the patient’s balance shifts.

How Acupuncture Helps with Insomnia

Acupuncture works on multiple levels to improve sleep:

Calming the Nervous System
Research shows that acupuncture can regulate the autonomic nervous system, reducing stress hormones and promoting parasympathetic (“rest and digest”) activity. This helps calm the body before sleep.
Balancing Yin and Yang
By stimulating specific points, acupuncture restores the natural rhythms of Yin (rest, cooling, night) and Yang (activity, warmth, day). This supports the body’s internal clock.
Regulating Neurotransmitters
Acupuncture may influence serotonin and melatonin production, both vital for healthy sleep cycles.
Treating Root Imbalances
Most importantly, acupuncture addresses the underlying TCM pattern—whether that’s nourishing Yin, moving stagnant Liver Qi, or tonifying Spleen Qi—so improvements are long-lasting.

Many people notice changes after just a few sessions: falling asleep more easily, fewer night wakings, or deeper, more refreshing sleep.

Lifestyle Tips for Managing Insomnia

Acupuncture is powerful, but lasting improvement also comes from daily habits that support balance. Here are some TCM-inspired tips you can use at home:

Create a Sleep-Friendly Environment

Keep your bedroom cool, dark, and quiet.
Avoid screens for at least an hour before bed; the blue light overstimulates the mind.
Use calming scents such as lavender or sandalwood to settle the Shen.

Support Yin with Evening Routines

Engage in gentle activities before bed: reading, meditation, stretching, or a warm bath.
Sip calming teas such as chamomile, jujube seed, or chrysanthemum.
Avoid spicy foods, caffeine, and alcohol in the evening, as they create internal heat and disturb Yin.

Nourish Qi and Blood through Diet

Eat regular meals to support the Spleen.
Include foods that nourish Blood and Yin, such as dark leafy greens, berries, black sesame seeds, walnuts, and lean meats.
Avoid excessive raw, cold, or greasy foods that create Dampness and Phlegm.

Manage Stress and Emotions

Practice breathing exercises or meditation to calm the Shen.
Gentle movement like tai chi, qi gong, or walking can smooth Liver Qi.
Journaling before bed can help release worries that otherwise keep the mind busy.

Align with Natural Rhythms

Aim to go to bed before 11pm, when the Liver and Gallbladder begin their peak time for detoxification and repair.
Wake up with the light where possible, keeping a consistent sleep schedule.
Rest when your body asks for it—don’t push through exhaustion.

Final Thoughts

Insomnia is more than just a restless night—it’s a sign that the body and mind are out of harmony. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, sleep is deeply connected to the balance of Yin and Yang, the nourishment of Blood, and the calmness of the Shen. By identifying the root pattern, acupuncture helps restore this balance, making sleep more natural and restorative.

Alongside treatment, small daily practices—supporting Yin, calming the mind, eating nourishing foods, and creating a bedtime ritual—can make a profound difference.

If you’re struggling with sleep, acupuncture may be able to help you find the rest your body and mind need. At Jane Eaglesham Acupuncture, I offer personalised treatments in a calm, supportive space. Book a consultation today and take the first step towards more peaceful nights and brighter days.