Sleep disorders

Sleep disorders are widespread and affect many people to varying degrees. They can impair both the quality and duration of sleep, leading to significant consequences for overall well-being and quality of life. Sleep disturbances may be temporary or chronic.

Lack of sleep affects concentration, memory, and the ability to handle complex tasks, which can lead to mistakes at work or in everyday life. Sleep disorders also increase the risk of mental health issues such as anxiety disorders and depression. Insufficient sleep weakens the immune system, making the body more vulnerable to infections. Chronic sleep deprivation is also associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension, stroke, and heart attack. Moreover, the risk of metabolic issues such as weight gain and diabetes rises, as sleep deprivation disrupts hormones that regulate appetite.

This condition can manifest as difficulty falling asleep, frequent waking during the night, or an inability to fall back asleep, all the way to persistent insomnia throughout the night.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the causes of sleep disorders are diverse and involve several organ systems. Since the spirit is said to reside in the Heart (Xin), the Heart is always implicated in sleep disorders. However, other organs such as the Liver (Gan), Gallbladder (Dan), Spleen (Pi), Stomach (Wei), and Kidneys (Shen) are also often involved.

The nature of insomnia may be classified as either a deficiency syndrome—such as that caused by menopause, chronic illness, or psychological stress—or an excess syndrome, including conditions like anxiety, fright, anger, or improper diet. In deficiency syndromes, there is often a lack of Yin Blood, which fails to nourish the Heart (Xin). In excess syndromes, hyperactivity of internal Fire, phlegm-heat, food stagnation, and Qi stagnation are more common.

Therefore, before treatment begins, it is essential to distinguish clinically between a pattern of deficiency and a pattern of excess. Once identified, Chinese herbal medicine and acupuncture are used to bring the spirit and body back into balance.

We would be happy to advise you on your individual symptoms and the possible therapies.