InsomniaTheTraditionalChinese

MedicineCure

TradeinthePills…theNaturalApproachtoBetterSleep

RememberThis?Itcan beYou

InTonight’sTalk,We’llgoOver

• WhatIsInsomnia?

• Theepidemic-likenumbers

• Causes

• HealthDangers

WhatTraditionalChineseMedicineBringstotheDiscussion

• Adrug-freemind-body-spiritapproach

• Natural,effectivemodalitieslikeAcupuncture

• HolisticadviceformoreSatisfying,Long-TermSleep

NaturalHealingModalities

SleepLinkedWithCircadianClock

Mind-BodyConnection

TheHeart’saStar

InTCM,theHeartistheseatofthesould andplaysapivotalRoleinSleep.Thisblood-pumping,Qi-transportingorganneedsaQuietRestingPlaceatnighttoRecoverandRejuvenate.

ImportanceofQualitySleep

PhysicalHealthHeartVessel RepairWeightControl (Leptin decreases)ImmunityMuscle andCellularRepairHormonalBalance(growthhormone)

MentalHealthAnxiety,StressRestlessnessDepressionAnger

SafetyHumanError,likePoorDriving

ProductivityImprovesLearningatWorkPrivateLives– hobbies, projects

SafeDrivingafteraGoodNight’sSleep!

3TypesofInsomnia

• DifficultyFallingAsleep

• DifficultyGettingBacktoSleep

• DifficultyStayingAsleep

CausesNational SleepFoundation

NasalandSinusAllergies

Gastrointestinalproblemssuchasreflux

Endocrineproblemssuchashyperthyroidism

Arthritis

Asthma

NeurologicalconditionssuchasParkinson'sdisease

MoreCauses

ChronicPain

Lowbackpain

RestlessLeg

SleepApnea

FrequentNapping

PrescriptionDrugs

TCMandInsomnia

UnlikeWesternMedicine,whichdoesrecognizetheroleofdepression,anxietyandPTSD,TCMisalwaysemphasizingthemind-bodyconnection.

InTCM,GoodSleepnourishestheorgansandouroverallQi theopportunitytorestinalignmentwiththeseasonsandtheCircadianClock.InsomniadisturbstheQi flow,leavingthebodyimbalancedandultimatelydeficient.

TCMandInsomnia

TraditionalChineseMedicineassignspersonalitiestoeachorgan,someofwhichplayabiggerroleinSleepthanothers.Withinsomnia,theenergyofsomeorgansistooweak– Deficiency - ortoostrong- Excess.

WhatisExcess?

• Yin-YangBalance…YinCoolsYangHeat

Yin-YangImbalance…HeatTakesOver

InsomniaDisturbstheCircadianRhythms

PrimarySleepOrgans

ExcessorDeficiency

PeoplewithQi orBloodDeficiencywillhavetroublefallingasleep

ThosewithDeficiencypatternswillhaveaneasiertimefallingasleepbutaremorelikelytowakeupduringthenight(often1-3a.m.)andstruggletogetbacktosleep.

Liver

StoresBloodandRegulatesQi flow

ResponsibleforPlanningandAbilitytoLetGo– PronetoStress

TheWoodElement…SeasonisSpring

DislikesWind

LikestheSourTaste

EmotionsareAngerandDepression

PressuretoPlanandAccomplishTasksisVeryDifficult…NoSurprisemanyPeopleWakeUpbetween1-3a.m.

LiverBloodiseasilyDepleted,leadingtoDeficiencyHeat.CanstealEnergyfromtheKidneys.

HeartSeatoftheSoul

KingOrgan- RulestheBlood

TheFireElement

TasteisBitter

EmotionisJoy

AsSeatoftheSoul,theHeartfiltersallEmotions.

StrongHeartQi andBloodareCrucial

TheSoulneedsaComfortableRestingPlaceatNight.ButHeartisVulnerabletochaosfromotherOrganDisharmonies,leadingtoExcessandDeficiency.

HeartDisharmonies

• ButHeartisVulnerabletochaosfromotherOrganDisharmonies,leadingtoExcessandDeficiency.

• ResultisSleep-DisturbingemotionslikeAnxiety,Restlessness,AngerandDepression.OftencomeswithPalpitations.

Kidneys

ConstitutionalandReproductiveEnergy.

GovernBonesandNervousSystem

SeasonisWinter

LovesSalt(nottoomuch)

• PrimaryEmotionisWill

• PronetoFear

• CanBecomeWeakandDepressed.

• YineasilyDepleted,leadingtoDeficiencyHeat

Lungs

GovernthePhysicalHealthoftheBody

Spread“Central”Qi …BreathisLife

ElementisMetal

EmotionsareSadness,GriefandOverthinking

ThemostSensitiveandSuperficialOrgan.PronetoCongestionAndStagnation

OurGoal

RestoreHarmonytotheimbalancedOrganssothattheMind-Body-Spirit allowsHealingSleeptoFlowNaturally

CommonAcupuncturePoints

DU20Heart7andPericardium6ShenmenLargeIntestine4/Liver3Stomach36Kidney3and6Ren 4and6Ren 17

Herbs

AnMian Wan

Suan Zao Ren

BuZhong YiQi TangorJinGui Shen Qi Wan

BuFei Tang

Probiotics,FishOil,GABA,Melatonin,5-htp,EssentialOils

RegularHabits

SameTimeBed…SameTimeRise

StickwithRelaxationTechniques,suchasReading,ashower/bath,Meditationor,forsomePeople,exercise

BreaktheElectronicVortex…shutoffDevicesatleast1hourbeforebed

DietisImportant

It’sdifficulttoachieveproperQi flowwithouteatingright

Cooked,Plant-baseddietWithcleanproteinandaLow-glutencarbohydrateload

ThiscanbeYou!

ThankYou!