Sleep should be a sanctuary, but for many people across the Bass Coast region, it’s a nightly struggle. Whether you struggle to fall asleep, wake up too often, or feel unrested in the morning, insomnia can affect every aspect of your life, including your energy, mood, relationships, and even your immune system.

According to the World Sleep Society and World Health Organization (WHO), 30–45% of adults globally report short-term insomnia symptoms at some point in their lives and around 10–15% of adults experience chronic insomnia disorder — meaning their sleep issues occur at least three nights per week for three months or more and impact daytime functioning.

Globally, an estimated number of between 840 million and 1.2 billion individuals are affected by insomnia. Insomnia is more common in women and older adults, as well as people with chronic illness, stress, or mental health conditions. Insomnia rates have also increased since the COVID-19 pandemic, especially among healthcare workers and young adults.

What is insomnia?

Insomnia is a sleep disorder characterised by difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking too early, despite having the opportunity to sleep. It can be either short-term (acute) or long-term (chronic), lasting from a few weeks to several months. Insomnia isn’t just a nighttime issue. It affects daytime performance, concentration, memory, mood, and overall quality of life.

What are the symptoms of insomnia?

People experience insomnia differently, but common symptoms include:

• Difficulty falling asleep despite feeling tired
• Waking up during the night and struggling to fall back asleep
• Waking up too early in the morning
• Feeling unrefreshed after sleep
• Daytime fatigue, irritability, or anxiety
• Trouble focusing or remembering things
• Reliance on caffeine or naps to get through the day

How is insomnia diagnosed?

In most cases, insomnia is diagnosed based on your symptoms and sleep history. A practitioner or GP may ask:

• How long does it take you to fall asleep
• How often do you wake during the night
• How rested do you feel in the morning
• Your stress levels, lifestyle, and bedtime routine

In some cases, a sleep diary or overnight sleep study may be used to rule out conditions such as sleep apnoea.

What are the causes of insomnia?

Insomnia is often multifactorial, meaning it can arise from a combination of lifestyle, emotional, and physiological factors. Common causes include:

• Stress, anxiety, or trauma
• Hormonal changes (e.g., menopause)
• Chronic pain or medical conditions
• Poor sleep habits or irregular routines
• Medications or stimulant use
• Environmental factors (noise, light, temperature)

In Traditional East Asian Medicine (TEAM), we also consider underlying energeticimbalances, such as Liver Qi stagnation, Heart Yin deficiency, or excess Heat disturbing the Shen (spirit).

What does the research say about acupuncture and insomnia?

Acupuncture has been studied as a complementary therapy for insomnia with increasing scientific interest and positive results.

Several systematic reviews and meta-analyses suggest that acupuncture can:

• Improve sleep quality and duration
• Reduce the time it takes to fall asleep
• Be more effective than some sleep medications, with fewer side effects
• Enhance the effects of cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBT-I)

For example, a 2021 review published in Sleep Medicine Reviews concluded that acupuncture significantly improved sleep quality in people with primary insomnia and may have longer-lasting effects than conventional treatments.

How does acupuncture work for insomnia?

From a biomedical perspective, acupuncture is believed to:

• Modulate the nervous system
• Increase melatonin production
• Reduce stress hormones like cortisol
• Promote relaxation and parasympathetic (rest-and-digest) activity

From a TEAM perspective, insomnia reflects a disruption in the balance of Yin and Yang, and often involves the Heart, Liver, and Kidney systems. Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine treatments are tailored to the individual but may aim to:

• Calm the Shen (spirit)
• Nourish Heart and Kidney Yin
• Clear Heat or reduce internal tension
• Regulate Qi flow and harmonise emotions
• Harmonise the five elements

Treatments are gentle, relaxing, and cumulative — most people experience a shift in their sleep after a few sessions, and many report a more profound sense of calm even after the first visit. You may find our article on sleep hygiene helpful, too.

If you are considering acupuncture for migraines, here are some details about your local AHPRA-registered practitioner.

Book your appointment today or reach out with any questions that you might have.