Is Acupuncture an Effective Treatment for Insomnia - Dissertation Example

Insomnia is the inability to fall asleep or to remain asleep for an adequate length of time, so that tiredness is virtually permanent (Oxford Concise Medical Dictionary 2007, p.370). According to the British United Provident Association (2011), primary and secondary insomnia are the two classifications of insomnia. Primary insomnia has no noticeable grounds while secondary insomnia is caused by an underlying problem, such as stressful events, psychiatric problems, medical conditions, drug and substance abuse, certain types of medication, and psychological problems such as grief and depression.

Moreover, the National Health Service (NHS) described insomnia as either short-term insomnia which lasts for one to four weeks, and long-term (or persistent) insomnia, which persists for more than four weeks.According to the NHS (year), if a person has been diagnosed with short-term insomnia, their GP will generally advise them on good sleep hygiene, and if the insomnia is affecting him/her during the day, then the GP may prescribe sleeping tablets. Moreover, if a person has been diagnosed with long-term Insomnia, their GP will recommend the same as short-term Insomnia, along with cognitive and behavioral treatments (CBT).

Additionally, if the patient is over 55 years old, the GP may consider prescribing Melatonin.Kaptchuk (2000, p. 191) describes insomnia in Chinese texts as “Yang unable to enter Yin”. This typically suggests that Blood or Yin or both are insufficient and not able to sustain the Spirit in the Heart. There is therefore a relative oversupply of the Yang, which is not in equilibrium and is unable to calm down in balance. An oversupply of the Yang or Fire in any other organ can also be a reason for insomnia.

The persistent desire to sleep, or oversleeping, is often a sign of Deficient Yang, Deficient Qi, or Dampness.