I get asked pretty
frequently about alternative therapies to treat sleep problems. While drugs do
have their place in treating some types of sleep disorders, there’s something
to be said for the array of so-called alternative
methods that don’t entail pharmaceuticals but do, in fact, support restful
sleep.
- Acupuncture,
for example, has been used to treat insomnia for centuries in China, and
clinical studies have shown that acupuncture may have a beneficial effect on
insomnia compared with Western medication. And for those who need more solid
proof, a recent
study just confirmed this finding again.
- Accupressure,
which is based on acupuncture but does not entail needles (instead, physical
pressure is applied to the acupuncture points), also has shown promise in
helping people beat insomnia. And another
recent study confirmed this when it looked at the sleep-friendly effects
that acupressure had on people who live in long-term care facilities.
Acupressure on the HT7 point (a particular point on the body) may improve
insomnia for up to 2 weeks after the intervention.
- Aromatherapy: employing the power of scent to lull you to sleep.
- Sound
machines: employing the power of white noise.
- Taking a warm bath or sitting in a hot tub or sauna before bedtime.
And my favorite one of all:
quitting all forms of work and stimulating activities within an hour of bedtime
and just relaxing. And there’s
nothing “alternative” about that.
Sweet Dreams,
Michael J. Breus, PhD
The Sleep Doctor™
www.thesleepdoctor.com
Follow me on Twitter: http://twitter.com/thesleepdoctor
Click here to order Dr. Breus's book, Beauty Sleep, on Amazon or Kindle, or here to buy it for the Barnes & Noble Nook.
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