ACURA Acupuncture Clinic Newsletter, December 2002

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Year end is coming.  It's a hectic season in Japan - alot of Bonenkai (End of the Year Party), sending out Christmas Cards/New Year Cards, and for some getting ready to go back to your own country. Be sure to stay away from excessive drinking and eating. And while you're attending these parties, you may want to let your friends know about the this newsletter which gives you some pertinent  information about acupuncture and alternative health. This month, I have complied some information regarding sleeping disorder and some home remedy that I take for hang over and heart burn.

It is surprising to know how many people suffer from sleeping disorders around the world. World Federation of Sleep Research Societies (WFSRS)  reviewed the data collected in four European countries (France, Germany, Spain and England) through interviews conducted with approximately 2,000 people in each country. The survey revealed a mean prevalence of insomnia ranging from 30% to 46%. It also provided valuable insights into the attitude of insomniacs towards this disorder and its treatment.

First of all, the survey revealed that a considerable proportion of insomniacs, despite being fully aware of the adverse effects of their sleep disorder on their daily activities, had taken no medical steps to remedy this problem. Only 32% of the insomniacs questioned in this survey declared that they had consulted a physician, a further 10% had sought the advice of their pharmacist to try to find a solution to their problems and 37% had taken no action at all. Detailed analysis of the reasons why these patients had not seen fit to consult their physician revealed two principal explanations. In the first place, many of them did not " feel at ease with the idea of taking sleeping pills ", a statement reflecting their fear of becoming dependent on the medication taken. Secondly, most of them did not consider insomnia to be a sufficient motive for seeking a medical opinion, despite its repercussions on their daily activities.

Sleeping is a procedure of energy recovery from daily activities. Sleeping problems are not harmful if it is only occasional. However, regular or frequent occurrences can cause fatigue, memory loss, irritability, lack of concentration, and mental illness - hindering efficient work flow.

One form of  treatment is to use barbiturates or tranquilizing drugs. However, the long term of using such drugs as relief from frequent or recurring sleeping disorders can be harmful to the soporific qualities of the drug, necessitating more potent dosage; habitual use can lead to addiction.

Acupuncture is very effective for people with sleeping disorder. The ancient book of  Chinese medicine dating back more than 2,300 years mentions sleeping disorder in many different forms. In general, sleeping problems is related to the imbalance of YIN and YANG and is closely related to your heart and liver meridian. It is mentioned that people with heart meridian problem  experience difficulty falling asleep and dream much. People with liver meridian problem will sleep lightly, and wake up several times at night.

At ACURA, our  treatment focuses on improving your blood circulation,  harmonizing the flow of meridian throughout your body. We have treated many  people with sleeping problems who have tried many medications or treatments that did not work for them. Many of our patients regret not knocking on our doors earlier, as they  experience the effect taking place after only a few treatments.

Taiken Jo is Director of Acura Acupuncture Clinic in Omotesando, Tokyo. He is a 4th-generation acupuncturist.

ACURA Acupuncture Clinic

 -Relief can be immediate
 -Individual Assessment
 -Supportive rehabilitation
 -Drug Free/Disposable needles
  Fully accredited member, Japan Acupuncture Association

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