Hi, I haven't but apparently acupuncture is used commonly to treat insomnia in China.

However, I would also say be cautious because acupuncture, like any other artificial method to induce sleep, is only treating the symptom. I think it's far better to try and identify the true root of the sleeping difficulty, and treat that instead.

But if you were looking for some drug-free alternative to help you sleep, while working on those root causes, acupuncture might be worth looking into. If you can afford it, of course. I don't think most health insurance covers it.

If you do try this, please keep us posted. I'd like hear if it helps.

I agree with you sleep trail, that I should get to the root of the problem, I'm trying to convince the doctors it's my medicines, but they don't believe me. The timing of the change in medications correlates to the onset of insomnia also.
I am being careful withe the acupuncture.

Nice blog! Good info.

I have tried acupuncture without any success. That doesn't mean that it might not work for you. I would get what they call Punch drunk after the procedures and could hardly drive home, so you know that it does something to you, but sadly it didn't work for me. Give it a try though, it might work for you. For me, I have learned that the only way I'm going to get sleep is to work on my problems in my life and how I deal with them. I'm a high anxiety person. so I have to learn to let go. I'm starting counseling in a few weeks and also have joined a group at church called Balancing Your Emotions. Hopefully, I will learn how to deal with life a little better.

I, too, was unsuccessful with relieving my insomnia with acupuncture. I tried it 2-3 times a week for 2 months with little to no positive effect. Having said that, my acupuncturist had not had much experience treating insomnia. Possibly, you can pre-qualify your practitioner and thus have a better outcome.

Hey

I haven't tried acupuncture itself, but what I have tried and found very helpful was an acupressure mat. This is something which is getting rave reviews on the internet - for example on Amazon the one I bought gets an average of 5 stars from hundreds of customers - pretty rare for Amazon! Of those people, most say it is helpful for back pain, muscle tension and general relaxation. But loads also say it helped them sleep because it relaxes their body and mind so much.
I bought one and found this was exactly what happened. It took some getting used to - as there are over 6000 little plastic points on the mats - kind of like a bed of nails! But once you get used to it, the warm relaxing feeling you get from the blood flow stimulation does help you relax.
I wrote a review of the one I bought on my website recently because I was so impressed with it I believe it is worth recommending to people. If you are interested in finding out more, have a read of my article. Otherwise just Google 'acupressure mat' and you'll find other reviews and sites selling them:-)
Ethan
http://www.nosleeplessnights.com/product-reviews/spoonk-acupressure-mat/

To help with your insomnia, create your sleep schedule, set exercise plan on regular basis and prefer morning exercises. Avoid eating late and eat only a light snack before bedtime, if hungry. Quit alcohol, smoking and caffeine.
Libertyville Chiropractic

To help with your insomnia, create your sleep schedule, set exercise plan on regular basis and prefer morning exercises. Avoid eating late and eat only a light snack before bedtime, if hungry. Quit alcohol, smoking and caffeine.
http://atkinsonchiropractic.com/libertyville-chiropractic/

"To help with your insomnia, create your sleep schedule, set exercise plan on regular basis and prefer morning exercises. Avoid eating late and eat only a light snack before bedtime, if hungry. Quit alcohol, smoking and caffeine."

????

So you think folks who have insomnia serious enough to join a support group never THOUGHT of these things? You forgot to mention warm milk and keeping the bedroom dark and cool .

I have actually tried acupuncture twice a week for a couple of months and found no relief in my insomnia; however, it was very therapeutic and relaxing. I always left feeling distressed.

I wouldn't necessarily say use caution with acupuncture, especially when you're comparing it to addictive sedatives like Xanax and Ambien, it seems innocuous in comparison. I give a lot of credit to anyone who is willing to try this and would definitely like to hear more success stories :) Seems like a sleep study would be important to rule out apnea, otherwise, what could be the harm in trying it?

I use acupuncture and find it excellent. I always get a good night's sleep after a session, I just wish I could afford more of it! I agree we need to work on finding the root cause of our insomnia, but acupuncture helps to balance and ground you while you do that (I am in group therapy too)