September is insomnia awareness month. In this month’s blog post we are going to explore what insomnia is, identify the symptoms and uncover some natural treatments.

What is insomnia?

Insomnia is the habitual inability to sleep or chronic sleeplessness. Some of the things that cause insomnia can be things such as:

  • Underlying medical conditions like sleep apnea or restless leg syndrome
  • Mental or emotional issues
  • Disruption of your circadian rhythm (your body’s natural 24-hour clock which tells you when to wake and when to sleep)
  • Lifestyle habits that do not promote a regular sleep schedule

Some of the symptoms you may experience as a result of insomnia include things like:

  • Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
  • Feeling exhausted
  • Experiencing intestinal distress
  • Suffering from tension headaches
  • The inability to focus
  • Encountering dizziness
  • Feeling “on edge”

Without the proper amount of sleep, your body will suffer. You may begin to get sick more often due to your immune system becomes compromised when you haven’t had sufficient sleep. Your susceptibility to depression increases According to an article written by Dr. Mercola, your body can experience severe side effects even with just 1 night without substantial sleep. One of those side effects can be your impairment level. Without a good night’s sleep, your impairment level may be in line with someone who is drunk which could lead to accidents, the inability to focus and the inability to control emotions.

Below are some things you can do at home to help you fight insomnia:

Avoid These Things:

  • Daytime naps
  • Eating, reading and watching TV in your bedroom
  • Heavy meals before bed
  • Caffeine, alcohol, and tobacco at night

Try These Strategies to Promote Sleep:

  • Only use your bed for sleep
  • Adjust light and sound for sleeping
  • Do at least 20 minutes of exercise during the day
  • Create a relaxing bedtime routine – include things like meditation or a relaxing hot bath

If you are unable to get your insomnia under control on your own, it may be time to enlist the assistance of professional treatment. Acupuncture may be just the therapy to help you! Did you know that acupuncture may help you fall asleep faster at night, reduce stress and anxiety, and increase the production of nighttime melatonin which a hormone that promotes sleep?

Visit our facility in Palm Harbor and discover how acupuncture may be able to help you with your sleep related problems.

marie perkins acupunture specialist in palm harborDr. Marie Perkins, OTR/L, LMT, DOM, Dipl. Ac. is one of the most recognized practitioners in Palm Harbor as a “non-pharmaceutical” pain specialist.

Born and raised in Quebec City Canada, Dr. Perkins received her Bachelor Degree in Occupational Therapy from University Laval in 1993.

Her passion led her to leave everything behind and immigrated to Florida in 1995. She proceeded with acquiring her Massage Therapy license from Bahkti Academy in 1999 and her Master’s Degree in Oriental Medicine from the Florida Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine in 2004.

Her goal for founding East West Healing Solutions was to be a pioneer in the community working at bridging the gap between Eastern and Western Medicine. She has established strong partnership with Medical Doctors, Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine, Orthopedic Surgeons, Neurologists, Pain Management Physicians, Doctors of Chiropractic, Rehabilitative Specialists, Athletic Directors, Coaches and Personal Injury Attorneys in the community proving not only that it can be done but also that a cohesive team approach is often the most efficient way to help a patient.

“Over the years I have continued to add to my knowledge in order to be able to help as many patients I possibly could. Most of the time, a joint effort from Western and Eastern Medicine is required to obtain optimal health. For that reason, patients should proactively seek a team of highly trained professionals in various fields, all working toward one common goal; the PATIENT’S best interest. Your health portfolio should be built with the same concepts as your financial portfolio; diversification is the key!,” Dr. Marie Perkins tells her patients.

East West Healing Solutions is located at:
34876 US Highway 19
Palm Harbor FL 34684

Phone: 727-216-3972
Fax: 727-216-3982
Email: drmarie@eastwesthealingsolutions.com/pp3
Web: eastwesthealingsolutions.com/pp3