About Insomnia

Insomnia is too little or poor-quality sleep. Insufficient rest can cause problems during the day, including fatigue, difficulty staying focused, and feeling depressed or irritable. Do to hormonal factors, women are twice as likely to suffer from insomnia than men.

There are three main types of insomnia: Transient (short term) insomnia lasts from a single night to a few weeks. Intermittent (on and off) insomnia is usually short term, and episodes occur sporadically. Finally, Chronic (on-going) insomnia occurs at least 3 nights a week for over a month. Chronic insomnia is severe and often requires the attention of a medical professional.

There are several ways in which mild to moderate insomnia can be alleviated. Relaxation therapy such as meditation or deep breathing allows the mind is able to stop "racing" and muscles to relax. Keep your bedroom dark, quiet, and cool by controlling elements such as light, noise and temperature as much as possible. Items such as sleeping masks, earplugs, fans or “white noise” machines can all be utilized effectively to control your bedroom environment. Practice healthy living throughout the day by avoiding caffeine, nicotine and alcohol, and by exercising 5-6 hours before bedtime. Establishing a routine to go to sleep at the same time each night and get up at the same time each morning can also prove beneficial. In severe cases, sleeping pills may be a viable addition to treating insomnia. As with any medication, it is important to discuss the risks and benefits of sleeping pills with your doctor to ensure proper diagnosis, and monitoring of your condition.

Pain Relief Clinic offers acupuncture, shiatsu, biofeedback, herbs and Qi Gong physiotherapy for insomnia.  If you book an appointment with us, we will recommend the best method for you based on your individual condition.