Elderly woman laying on massage chair with woman holding her head

From Sharp Health News, a publication of Sharp HealthCare

Millions of American adults struggle to fall and stay asleep. While being poked by needles may not be what you had in mind when you think about improving your sleep, studies show that acupuncture can help.

Manual, electro and auricular (ear) acupuncture can be effective in treating insomnia. Identifying the underlying causes of insomnia can be the key to treatment. 

Three common causes of sleeplessness include:

  • Stress and anxiety. Acupuncture can help quiet the mind, increase relaxation and decrease stress to promote sleep. The treatment can also help increase the release of natural melatonin in the body to help improve sleep.
  • Chronic pain. Sometimes pain can keep you from getting comfortable and drifting off to sleep. Resolving or lessening the pain with acupuncture may help in getting a good night’s rest.
  • Sleep apnea. By helping a person lose weight, even by as little as 10%, sleep apnea may be reduced. Acupuncture has been shown to help with weight loss and improve energy.

We all function better after a good night’s sleep. If you have sleepless nights, you may want to give acupuncture a try.


The VEBA Resource Center offers Auricular (Ear) Acupuncture. The ear’s complete microsystem, close proximity to the brain, and rich supply of blood vessels make it powerful for treating human illness. Come on in for a 30-minute group session, where you’ll relax in a massage recliner while our acupuncturist inserts the needles. Then sit back and enjoy a 20-minute guided meditation. Check out our calendar to sign up for an upcoming session.