Posts Tagged ‘insomnia’
October 28th, 2011
When I do not get enough sleep I am sensitive and emotionally reactive.
The connection between sleep deprivation and post-partum mental illness was the theme of a presentation by Dr. Eileen Sloan, Staff Psychiatrist and Mount Sinai Hospital (Toronto) this morning.
Dr. Sloan works at the Perinatal Mental Health Clinic where she sees women who are suffering from emotional problems during pregnancy or after childbirth. Her research has found that there is a definate link between sleep deprivation and post-partum mental illness.
This is known through experience by many women who suffer from exhaustion and depression postpartum. It is also a surprisingly common theme in my work as an acupuncturist.
From a Chinese Medicine perspective, insomnia is often related to “Blood Deficiency” (see other articles on insomnia in this site for more discussion on the causes of “Blood Deficiency”). It is also unfortunately common that new mom’s lack sufficient support to allow them to rest immediately postpartum. As adherents of our “go, go” culture, women often feel inclined to get up and get busy quickly. This does not allow their bodies time to recuperate. Nursing women also need extra nutrition and rest time.
The most difficult part for many women is not being able to sleep even after creating conducive conditions. This may be due to racing thoughts or a fidgety body – or both! In these cases, I recommend an acupuncture housecall. The focus of the treatment is on supporting the body to relax and increase blood production which then allows the woman to unwind and sleep. Most women are able to think clearer and feel calmer once their sleep is restored.
March 14th, 2010
For most postpartum women sleep is more valuable than gold!
Commonly women are advised to “sleep when the baby sleeps!”. It’s great advice if you can do it. Some women find that even though they are exhausted and their little sweetie is sleeping soundly, they are unable to sleep. At first it may feel ok. There is laundry to do, people to email, thank you cards to write…but soon the new mom will be exhausted. There is nothing quite as frustrating as wanting to sleep, desperately needing to sleep, and not being able to. This is a much more common concern than most women realize.
Acupuncture can help postpartum women to sleep, heal and cope better with breastfeeding and caring for their infant. Many acupuncturists are happy to visit you in your own home for this type of treatment. In my acupuncture practice in Toronto, ON I encourage women to take advantage of housecalls and to rest as much as possible postpartum. Women benefit greatly from treatment around 3-4 days postpartum. This type of preventive care can help them to avoid later problems such as insomnia and mood swings as her breast milk comes in and helpful hormones head out.
Most women find the treatment to be relaxing and to bring immediate benefits and a sense of well being.
Who wouldn’t like to sleep like a baby?
For more details about the causes and treatment for insomnia in Chinese Medicine see http://acupuncture-pregnancy.com/2010/03/12/insomnia-in-pregnancy/
March 12th, 2010
Do you remember being a child and not wanting to go to sleep?
It’s different now, isn’t it? Ah elusive sleep…
Insomnia in Chinese Medicine
It is said in Chinese Medicine, that sleep occurs when “the mind goes to rest in the heart”. For this to happen, the “heart” must be a comfortable bed. Difficulty falling asleep and/or staying asleep are signs that the heart bed is either “too hot” or “not padded enough”.
A Hot Heart
Heat in the heart reflects “yang rising” (often related to stress and/or anger) or “yin deficiency” (often seen alongside anxious exhaustion, feelings of heat and thirst). An experienced acupuncturist treats the root cause of the imbalance to bring relief of all symptoms and improved sleep.
A Hard Bed
When there is not enough “blood” or “yin” in the heart it is difficult for the mind to stay settled. These issues are addressed in Chinese Medicine with acupuncture, lifestyle adjustments, dietary therapy, and occasionally herbs.
Deep sleep is essential for the well being of mother and child. Insomnia is a common concern in pregnancy, especially when exacerbated by the need to get up to pee frequently and difficulties finding a comfortable position. I always reassure pregnant women that they have entered the zone of “guilt free napping”. Women need a lot of sleep in pregnancy and as they prepare for labour and the sleep-deprived early postpartum days ahead. In my experience, acupuncture is very effective in breaking negative sleep cycles and helping women get the rest they deserve and so greatly need.
December 20th, 2009
This blog is dedicated to sharing information for pregnant women and health practitioners about the usefulness of acupuncture in pregnancy, labour, and postpartum.
This blog has been created by Dawn Aarons, an acupuncturist and teacher, based in Toronto, Canada. You are welcome to contact Dawn by email at dawn@dawnaarons.com or visit her website at www.dawnaarons.com
