When you're exhausted, but your mind won't quit at night

Poor sleep affects everything: your mood, your patience and your energy. Many people come to us after trying the usual advice and still waking tired and irritable.

How Chinese medicine sees it

Insomnia has many possible causes, including stress, diet, pain, illness, caffeine, medications and sleep habits. Chinese medicine looks for the personality, or pattern, behind your sleeplessness. Trouble falling asleep, waking at night and waking too early can each point to something different.

Treatment is aimed at that underlying cause. If pain wakes you, we work on the pain. If your mind can't switch off, we focus on calming stress and anxiety.

How we treat it

• Acupuncture chosen for your sleep pattern and what's driving it.
• Custom herbal formulas prescribed by Scott Paglia, L.Ac.
• Dietary therapy, including a look at caffeine and evening habits.
• Practical advice for coping with stress and winding down.
• Ear seeds to press at home in the evening.

What to expect

• A relaxed consultation and a full health history. We'll ask about how you fall asleep, when you wake, and what's on your mind at night, and about your sleep, digestion, energy and stress too.
• A traditional Chinese medicine exam, including your pulse and your tongue.
• A clear explanation of what we found and how Chinese medicine understands it.
• A treatment plan made for you, with time for all your questions.
• Sleep care usually takes several sessions, especially if stress or pain also need attention. We'll recommend a plan after your first appointment.

Things you can try at home

• Keep your bedroom cool and dark.
• Put screens away for a while before bed.
• Watch how much caffeine you have, and how late in the day.

If you take a sleep medication or have a sleep condition, keep working with your physician and don't change medication without them.

Common questions