July 2011 - Summer Heat Insomnia

In This Issue:
**Summer Heat Insomnia; Acupuncture Can Help!
**Pregnancy Related Insomnia
**Thanks for Tuning In! Book On-line Anytime!
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Summer Heat Insomnia; Acupuncture Can Help! 
Ever notice that as the summer months come, it becomes harder to sleep? Some of it is just the longer days and excitement of warm weather, but sometimes it feels like something more - an itching eye opening inability to get to sleep or to stay asleep that just can't be defined or seemingly conquered. The cause? Summer Heat and Acupuncture is here to help.

 There are many energetic factors involved in sleep according to Chinese Medicine, but one of the most central is the comfort of the Shen or spirit in the Heart. The Shen is essential to your wake sleep cycle, emerging upon waking to make you alert and present, and retreating to the heart at night to lull you to sleep. The Heart is the central Fire organ making it a warm and cozy place, but too warm and the Shen is not comfortable there. If the Shen won't sleep, neither will you!

 Acupuncture is a great way to calm the Shen and clear heat from the Heart in order to re establish a proper wake sleep cycle. There can be other energetic causes for insomnia, but during the summer months when the environmental heat can amplify an underlying heat syndrome lurking in the body, this is one of the most common. Proper assessment by a Licensed Acupuncturist can determine if this is the cause of your insomnia or not, and treat accordingly.

Pregnancy Related Insomnia
Insomnia is also a very common side effect of pregnancy that often has few resolutions from an allopathic perspective. Western sleep aids are generally not recommended during this time, and chamomile tea - while recommended and quite helpful - can only go so far at times. Acupuncture is a safe treatment during pregnancy that can help rebalance your yin, yang, qi and blood during the growth and change experienced during pregnancy that can affect your wake sleep cycle.

Thanks for Tuning In! 
As usual thanks again for tuning in! If you are interested in more information about Chinese Medicine to treat insomnia this summer, please don't hesitate to call or book on-line. Free 15 minute consultations in person or over the phone are always available which you can book via phone at (503)445-8888 or on-line as well if you have more specific questions. Looking forward to seeing you! ~Rebecca