Multiple studies have demonstrated that acupuncture can be an effective treatment for insomnia. Acupuncture lessens anxiety, stimulates melatonin production, induces sleep onset, and reduces sleep disruption during the night. All of these effects amount to an overall increase in total sleep time. 

Acupuncture also activates your parasympathetic system which is the part of your nervous system that encourages your body to rest and digest. In some instances, acupuncture is used as a treatment not for insomnia itself, but for pain from other physical conditions that in turn make it difficult to fall asleep at night.

The first step your acupuncturist will take is to try to assess why this may be happening to you at this time and whether they can help.  In some cases you GP will be involved in this assessment process to rule out any serious illness. Lets have a look at the most common causes of insomnia:

Common Causes of Insomnia

Adrenal  and  thyroid  disorders: Adrenal  and  thyroid  glands  are  responsible  for  producing  hormones  that  regulate  energy  levels,  metabolic  rate  and  sleep  onset  and maintenance.

Chronic pain: Chronic pain conditions such as fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis are  strong related to sleep disorders as the pain can prevent sleep onset and maintenance.  On that note – sleep deprivation has been found to increase pain sensitivity, leading to a vicious cycle, hence the importance of addressing causes and symptoms. 

Breathing  disorders: Sleep  apnoea  which  is  the  obstruction  of  airways  during  sleep may stop the airflow and cause the individual to wake up, often several times during the night.  Similarly,  inadequate  mouth  breathing,  asthma  and  snoring  may  interrupt  sleep cycles and prevent restorative sleep.   

Poor sleep hygiene: Irregular sleep schedule, stimulating activities (such as strenuous exercise,  smart  phones,  computers  and  TV  exposure,  nicotine,  alcohol,  recreational drugs  and  caffeine  consumption) .  Also an  uncomfortable  sleep  environment may affect circadian rhythm and disturb  sleep quality. 

Protein rich meal too close to bed time: An important raw material for the synthesis of  melatonin in the brain is the amino acid tryptophan. High-protein meals can decrease the  availability of tryptophan because other amino acids compete for absorption.

Imbalances  in  gut  flora: A  very  high  percentage  of  neurotransmitters  (also responsible  for  regulating  sleep  onset  and  maintenance)  is  produced  by  the  good  gut bacteria. Any conditions affecting the gut flora balance such as candida overgrowth and parasite infections may negatively affect neurotransmitters production, directly impacting sleep patterns.

Anxiety: Insomnia is frequently associated with depression and most anxiety disorders. The causes and effects are bidirectional – insomnia can lead to anxiety and depression, whereas chronic insomnia is often a symptom of depression and anxiety disorders

Therefore treatment for insomnia needs to follow a thorough assessment and treatment plan to eradicate as many causative factors as possible.  Acupuncture then works to settle the system back down and allow you to return to a normative sleep pattern.  At Restore our acupuncturists regularly care for patients with insomnia and other related issues such as anxiety and gut issues.  If you are struggling with insomnia book an appointment with us today.

I was very fortunate last night to attend a lecture by the team from the Resilience Project.  The Resilience Project was formed to help combat the rise in mental health disorders in Australian society. They provide evidence based, practical strategies to help build resilience – or the ability to weather lifes’ inevitable challenges.  They do this through emotionally engaging programs at schools and workplaces and lectures such as the one last night at the Seymour Centre.

Through the daily practice of feeling gratitude, showing empathy to others, and practicing mindfulness, research has shown that depression and anxiety are significantly reduced.  Other important factors are a healthy diet (particularly one low in sugar), regular exercise and reducing use of devices.  By taking small, daily steps to care for our mental health as much as our physical health we can assist our own mental resilience, and set a good example for our children.

I found the talk of great benefit as it is very important for Restores health practitioners to look after their own welfare in order to be at our best to care for our patients each day.  If you think that your community, workplace or school would benefit from listening to a talk by the Resistance Project, just go to their website click here and find out more about what they do.  For more information on building resilience in children you can go to the Beyond Blue website page about this issue here.

Low back pain is the single biggest cause of years lived with disability worldwide.  It is therefore also a major challenge to international health systems. In 2018, the Lancet Low Back Pain Series Working Group identified a global problem of mismanagement of low back pain.  The group documented the phenomenon of unnecessary care whereby patients receive health services which don’t follow international guidelines.  There was strong evidence that this unnecessary care, including complex pain medications, spinal imaging tests, spinal injections, hospitalisation and surgical procedures, were hazardous for most patients with low back pain.  

The first intervention for what we call “simple” lower back pain (no neurological signs and symptoms) should be conservative.  At Restore this is osteopathic treatment, rest, anti-inflammatories if appropriate, and ergonomic and exercise advice.  At Restore we have always found that conservative management, lifestyle changes, improvement in strength and osteopathic care have a significant improvement in symptoms of lower back pain, and in the majority of patients will resolve it entirely.

If neurological signs are present e.g. burning, numbness, we will always refer patients 

Scientists at the University of Nottingham have been researching how to trigger new bone growth in people with osteoporosis.  They have been using liquid bone tissue created from material containing stem cells. The technique could be used to target specifically weak and fragile bones in those who suffer from osteoporosis.  This would in turn help to prevent fractures.

  A representative for the University of Nottingham’s team, Dr Ifty Ahmed said he and his team aimed to provide a preventative treatment for fractures associated with osteoporosis.  The experimental treatment is yet to be trialed on humans, but if successful would aim to find people at risk and strengthen their bones. Previous attempts at regenerating weak bones in sufferers of osteoporosis have failed due to the fragile nature of the stem cells required to do the job.

What an amazing step forward in the fight against osteoporosis.  To read more about this research click here.