Insomnia Flashcards
A variety of different symptoms associated with disturbed sleep.
- -inability to sleep
- -difficulty falling asleep
- -frequent waking
- -restlessness at night
- -disordered sleep cycle
- -dream disturbed sleep
Insomnia
A Shen Disturbance…
–In TCM: inability or agitation of the Shen
–The Shen is not adequately anchored and secured due to
Deficiency of Blood or Yin
–Overstimulation and agitation by Heat prevents the Shen from
settling quietly
–The Shen is “ locked in “ and agitated by constraint from Qi
and/or Blood Stagnation.
Insomnia
When a person lies down and cannot sleep…
The yin organs are injured …..
The essence has no residence and it’s not quiet and the
person can not sleep
Insomnia
- worry……………………………………..Heart Fire
- anger……………………………………..Liver Qi, Heat Fire
- overwork………………………………..HT Blood, SP Qi Def.
- “Gallbladder Timid”…………………Personality type
- irregular diet……………………………Stomach Disharmony
- childbirth ……………………………….LV Yin, Blood, Jing Def
- Residual Heat…………………………Phlegm Heat
- Excessive Sexual Activity…………Kidney Def; Jing Def.
Insomnia Etiology
Shen
-Rooted in Essence and Qi, Heart
-The most rarefied density of Qi, it must be anchored by the Jing
or Blood and Yin
Hun
-The Ethereal Soul controls Dreaming and is rooted in Liver Blood
and Yin
-Sleepwalking (Hun likes likes to wander and get up and sleepwalk
They are not grounded)
Zhi
-“Will Power” controls memory and sleep; Kidneys
Insomnia
External or Temporary Causes; Environment
- Sudden Weather changes, jet lag, bedroom temperature, noise,
Lighting, drinking tea or coffee, emotional upset or worry
- Medical Condition: Asthma, pain or itching.
Physiological decline of Qi and Blood in older people requiring
Less sleep.
Best Sleeping position
- lie on right side, legs slightly bent, right arm bent and resting on
front of the pillows and left arm resting on left thigh
- Heart is in high position so that Blood circulates freely; Liver is low
to collect Blood and root the Hun to promote sleep; Stomach
and duodenum in a position that facilitates downward movement
of food.
Insomnia
Sleep
- Difficulty falling asleep = Blood Deficiency
- Difficulty staying asleep = Yin Deficiency
- Waking early = Heart and GB Deficiency
- Waking frequently, often feeling hot = Yin Deficiency
- Repeated waking around 2-4 am, worse when stressed = Liver Qi
Stagnation, heat, fire
- Chronic Insomnia, feverishness at night but no sweating = Blood
Stagnation
Insomnia Diagnosis
