Insomnia; Sleeplessness

Insomnia affects millions of people around the world, harming not only those who suffer from it but also their families and their day-to-day functioning. Some people struggle to fall asleep, others wake repeatedly during the night, and others wake far too early and cannot fall back asleep. As a result, many people with insomnia wake up tired and drained even after a full night in bed.

“Sleep is the best meditation” (the Dalai Lama)

How Insomnia Shows Up

Chronic insomnia is not just a passing inconvenience; it affects quality of life, mood, memory and cognitive function. People who suffer from it report reduced concentration, irritability and difficulty coping with simple tasks at work and at home. Over time, a lack of quality sleep can also affect the immune system and the body’s ability to recover and renew itself.

What Causes Insomnia

Insomnia can appear following stressful events, increased consumption of caffeine or alcohol, and as a result of pain or ongoing physical discomfort. Once the direct cause is addressed, many people experience significant relief in their sleep. In many cases, however, the problem continues even after the external trigger has been removed, which points to a deeper imbalance in the body.

Habits That Can Support Better Sleep

Alongside treating the root cause, a few daily habits can support better sleep and make it easier for the body to relax in the evening.

• Keeping consistent bedtime and wake-up hours, including on weekends
• Reducing caffeine and alcohol in the afternoon and evening
• Avoiding screens and bright light for about an hour before bed
• Building a steady wind-down routine, such as quiet reading or deep breathing

Conventional Treatment and Its Limitations

Western medicine commonly prescribes sleeping pills that affect neurotransmitters in the brain, but long-term use of them comes at a cost. Beyond the risk of physical and psychological dependence, these medications can cause daytime fatigue, cognitive impairment and reduced motor skills. Paradoxically, the result can be a return of the insomnia once treatment is stopped. Melatonin, the body’s own natural sleep hormone, is not free of side effects either; it can cause daytime grogginess, lower body temperature and an increase in vivid dreaming.

Insomnia From the Perspective of Chinese Medicine

According to traditional Chinese medicine, sleep occurs when the active yang energy of the daytime moves inward into the internal organs, into the quiet yin energy of the night. Yin energy cools and restores the body: the blood is cleansed in the liver, the body relaxes and recharges with fresh energy, and this is the time when we dream and process material in the unconscious part of the mind. When the balance between yang and yin is disrupted, the transition into sleep is impaired, leading to difficulty falling asleep, repeated waking, or shallow, unrefreshing sleep.

How We Treat Insomnia at Machat Ruach

Acupuncture treatment focuses on points that release excess heat from the body when present, and that calm the mind, body and spirit together. During treatment, we identify which meridians and organs are involved in the patient’s specific difficulty, and build a personalized treatment plan accordingly. In most cases improvement is felt as early as the first session, though it is also important to avoid habits that feed the problem, such as evening caffeine or intrusive pre-sleep thoughts. When insomnia stems from pain, we treat the root of the pain itself; and sometimes a formula of Chinese herbal medicine is recommended to strengthen and calm the weakened meridians.

Booking a Treatment

If you are struggling with insomnia and need professional guidance, Shai Davids and the Machat Ruach clinics in Jerusalem and Ramat Gan are here for you. Click here to book a treatment.