SLEEP and You: A Chinese Medicine Perspective

Are you having trouble sleeping?
Do you lie awake at night, unable to wind down?
Do you wake up frequently or too early, only to stare at the ceiling in frustration?
Or perhaps you sleep through the night but wake up feeling just as exhausted as the night before?

Sleep issues come in many shapes, and in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), how you don’t sleep tells us a lot about your internal balance. At your initial visit, we often ask detailed questions like:
– Do you struggle to fall asleep?
– Do you wake in the night and can't fall back asleep?
– Do you wake far too early in the morning?
– Do you dream excessively or have restless sleep?
Each pattern gives your practitioner clues about which organs or substances need support.

The Shen and the Blood: The Spirit Needs a Place to Rest

In TCM, restful sleep depends on the ability of the Shen—your spirit or mind—to quiet down and return inward. At night, the Shen is meant to “nest” within the Heart, settling into the Blood like a bird into a tree. If the Blood is deficient or disturbed, the Shen can’t settle. This often presents as trouble falling asleep, a racing mind at bedtime, or waking up frequently.

This doesn’t mean your bloodwork from the doctor will show anything unusual. TCM “Blood” is different from biomedical blood. It refers more to the nourishing, moistening, anchoring aspects of the body. Women, especially in their 30s–60s, may experience Blood deficiency due to menstruation, stress, overwork, perimenopause, or childbirth. You may also feel dizziness, dry skin, anxiety, or palpitations—all signs that the Shen’s bed is no longer cozy.

The Role of the Liver and the Yin

Waking in the night between 1–3 am often suggests Liver Qi stagnation, especially if paired with vivid dreams, irritability, or tight shoulders. The Liver stores Blood and governs the smooth flow of Qi—if it’s disrupted, sleep will be too.

For those who wake too early (think 4–5 am), this might indicate declining Yin. Yin is the cooling, calming, restorative energy—think of it like the moonlight to Yang’s sunlight. Without enough Yin, the body gets restless and overheated, pushing you awake before it’s time.

Acupuncture for Better Sleep

Acupuncture works by restoring balance to your organ systems and regulating the nervous system. We often use calming points like Anmian (translated as "peaceful sleep"), which helps anchor the Shen and support deeper rest. Other common points include Heart 7 (Shenmen) at your wrist, Spleen 6 close to your ankle, Liver 3 on the top of your foot, and Yin Tang located between your eyebrows (your Third Eye)—all known to calm the mind, nourish the Blood, and ease tension.

Acupuncture is gentle, natural, and highly personalized. If your sleep issues stem from Blood deficiency, we may focus on building and nourishing. If the root is stress or emotional unrest, treatment may focus on moving Liver Qi and calming the Heart.

Sleep Hygiene—The TCM Way

Alongside acupuncture, I encourage clients to develop nighttime rituals. Shut down screens at least an hour before bed, sip a warm herbal tea, and dim the lights to signal to your Shen that it's time to return home. A warm foot soak with Epsom salts can help draw energy downward, away from an overactive mind.

Let’s work together to reclaim your rest. Sleep is not a luxury—it’s your foundation for good health. And in Chinese medicine, better sleep is just a few needles away.