Brochures

Insomnia & Sleep Disorders

Overview

Sleep problems are widespread in the United States — the CDC reports that roughly 1 in 3 adults regularly get less sleep than recommended, and a large share of adults report symptoms of chronic insomnia, including trouble falling asleep, waking frequently during the night, or waking too early.

How Poor Sleep Affects Your Health

Poor sleep does not stay contained to the night — it affects mood, concentration, and immune function, and can worsen existing pain conditions and cardiovascular health over time. Many patients try sleep medication first, but are looking for an approach without next-day grogginess or dependency.

The TCM View

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, insomnia is generally linked to an imbalance among the Heart, Spleen, Liver, and Kidney systems — commonly described as Heart-Kidney disharmony, Blood deficiency failing to nourish the Shen (spirit/mind), or excess Heat disturbing the mind at night. Treatment is tailored to which pattern is present, rather than treating all insomnia the same way.

Research on Acupuncture for Insomnia

Multiple systematic reviews, including a 2025 meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials, found that acupuncture significantly improves subjective sleep quality — measured by tools such as the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index — compared with sham acupuncture, and is also associated with improvements in anxiety, depression, and fatigue that commonly accompany insomnia.

Researchers note that acupuncture's effect on objective sleep measures, such as data from sleep-tracking devices, is less consistently proven than its effect on how rested patients feel — an important distinction we discuss with patients when setting expectations. Across the available studies, acupuncture has shown a strong safety profile with minimal side effects.

How We Treat Insomnia at Dragon Phoenix

At Dragon Phoenix Acupuncture, insomnia treatment combines body acupuncture points selected to calm the Shen and address the underlying pattern (such as nourishing Blood or clearing excess Heat), often paired with auricular (ear) acupuncture, which many patients find especially calming.

What to Expect

Most patients notice improved sleep onset and fewer awakenings within the first few sessions, though a full course of 8–10 treatments is typically recommended to build a lasting improvement, alongside simple sleep-hygiene guidance.

Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); peer-reviewed systematic reviews and meta-analyses on acupuncture for chronic insomnia disorder.