Break the Cycle of Restless Nights: Discover How Acupuncture Eases Stress and Insomnia

Hello, this is Harika from Ginza Treatment Room. Recently, a woman in her 30s came in. She works full-time and has two elementary school-aged children. From the moment we started the consultation, I noticed that she was slightly slouching, her gaze was lowered, and there was noticeable tension in her shoulders. While her main complaint was "chronic neck and shoulder stiffness, along with fatigue," as we spoke further, it became clear that the root cause was "insomnia due to stress and tension."

She spoke calmly, but her words carried a sense of urgency. "During the week, I can’t sleep because I’m always thinking about work, and when I do fall asleep, I wake up almost immediately. I often have bad dreams too..." Her voice revealed the exhaustion she was feeling. Though she could sleep a bit more easily on weekends, she has to wake up early to match her children's schedule, so there are hardly any days when she can truly rest.

Additionally, even though her doctor suggested sleeping pills, she said, "I was too scared to take them because if anything happened to my kids, I might not wake up in time..." and couldn’t bring herself to use them.

Not being able to sleep makes her anxious, leading to a racing heart, which only makes her more awake, and as negative thoughts spiral, she finds herself unable to sleep again. This vicious cycle has left her exhausted every day, unable to recharge, and she feels guilty for not being able to be as patient with her children.

Just listening to her made me deeply empathize with how tough things were for her.

Is insomnia caused by your body? Relaxation is the key! Release tension for better sleep

When I physically examined her, her body was tense from head to toe, especially her feet, which felt as cold as ice. This is a clear sign of a disrupted autonomic nervous system and poor blood circulation. For this treatment, the goal was to relax her body and create a state where she could feel at ease.

I began with acupuncture and oil massage to balance her autonomic nervous system, focusing on improving blood flow, especially in her feet. For people with particularly cold feet, an acupoint called "Shitsumin" (located at the center of the heel) is very effective. This point is known as a powerful remedy for insomnia, calming the nerves and promoting sleepiness. By applying moxibustion to this area, her circulation improved, helping her naturally relax and fall into a more restful state.

As the treatment progressed, I could feel her shoulders gradually relaxing. She appeared very calm during the session, with a peaceful expression, almost as if she had fallen into a deep sleep. After the session, I was a little worried that she might not be able to sleep that night due to being so relaxed, but a few days later, she happily reported, "After the treatment, I was finally able to sleep soundly for the first time in a while!"

Of course, work-related stress didn’t disappear overnight, and her insomnia wasn’t completely resolved, but she did mention, "I never realized how tense my body had been before."

The deep connection between mind and body

In traditional Chinese medicine, there’s a phrase: "Shinshin Ichinyo" (心身一如), which means "the mind and body are one and influence each other." In this case, her mental stress manifested physically, and by working on her body, her mind seemed to become lighter as well.

When we’re busy, it’s easy to overlook how tired our bodies are. Especially for those who prioritize their family and work, self-care often gets pushed aside. But when the body is under constant strain, it inevitably affects the mind, leaving little room for relaxation.

"Pain" and "heat" are misconceptions? Experience deep relaxation through acupuncture

It might surprise you, but acupuncture is actually incredibly relaxing. Some people associate it with pain or heat, but it’s the exact opposite. With acupuncture, circulation improves, and you can feel a soothing sense, much like after a warm bath.

It’s normal to feel a little drowsy after a treatment or even have some lingering fatigue the next day. But that’s a sign that your body has been working hard to recover. I hope this treatment serves as a reminder to connect with your body.

If you’ve been struggling with sleep issues like "I can’t sleep deeply" or "I wake up several times during the night," please feel free to reach out. I’d be happy to help.