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Mental Health

Insomnia

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Which symptoms do you have with insomnia?

Choose the closest type which you suffer from the symptoms

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SNS(Sympathetic Nervous system) Dominant Type - Due to hypersensitive SNS

Insomnia is typically caused by hyperactivity of Sympathetic Nervous system(SNS). SNS hyperactivity occurs in two situations. First, there is an exaggeration of the sympathetic nerve itself due to external stimuli such as stress. Second, the function of the parasympathetic nervous system(PSNS) that suppresses the sympathetic nervous system, is declined, and the SNS is relatively hyperactive. Sympathetic hyperactivity is easy to understand when we imagine confronting a bear in the woods. To fight or flight, we require a large amount of blood supply to the muscle tissues, and our heart rate goes up to pump more blood. Increased blood flow to the muscle tissues naturally reduces blood supply to the gastrointestinal system, because digesting food matters very little when we are in a life or death situation. Immediate judgment continues to be asked where to run. There is be no time for sleep. In real life, when the SNS is triggered by stress for a prolonged time, there will be confusion within the body in adjusting to daily situations properly. Thus, digestive issues arise such as palpitation, loss of appetite, heartburn, bloating and acid reflux altogether with sleep problem from being very alert to changes to surroundings.

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Book an Appointment
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bodyMap

SNS(Sympathetic Nervous System) Dominant Type - Due to hyposensitive PNS(Parasympathetic Nervous System)

Insomnia is typically caused by hyperactivity of Sympathetic Nervous system(SNS). SNS hyperactivity occurs in two situations. First, there is an exaggeration of the sympathetic nerve itself due to external stimuli such as stress. Second, the function of the parasympathetic nervous system(PSNS) that suppresses the sympathetic nervous system, is declined, and the SNS is relatively hyperactive. Again, bringing up the example of confronting the bear, when the bear leaves, the PSNS, which plays a role in restoring the heart rate to normal and relieving the tension in the muscles, does not function accordingly. Even when the bear is no longer around, our body feels as if we are still in the presence of a bear. The smallest sound, smell, stimulation, and stress will make your body react too quickly. Thus, the two SNS dominant types are similar, but characteristic manifestations are the opposite.

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Hyperactive Amygdala Type - Due to trauma-initiated hyperactivity of sympathetic systems

Over-activation of the amygdala is another reason to make anxiety by exciting sympathetic nerves. Amygdala is known to be responsible for the emotions associated with fear and avoidance. Amygdala detects fear and prepares for emergency events. For example, rabbits will perceive life threats when they encounter wolves. At this point, the amygdala is activated. It sends a danger signal to the hypothalamus, and the sympathetic nerves in the affected area are excited, accelerating the heart rate (chest pounding) and breathing rate because of the extra oxygen needed to make more energy that allows the rabbit to run away with all its strength. In modern society, it isn't common for humans to encounter such situations that activate the amygdala. Therefore, when an amygdala is over-activated due to a traumatic experience, it becomes difficult to stabilize on its own. PTSD after a robbery, assault, hostage incident, natural disaster, fire, motor accidents, war and similar traumas can quickly lead to this type.

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Hyperactive Hepatic type - Due to hyper-metabolism of liver

Our body temperature is mainly produced by skeletal muscle and liver. The liver generates heat through active metabolism and increases the deep, internal body temperature. Thus, when metabolism of the liver increases, the body temperature of our body also increases. If the metabolism of the liver is abnormally elevated and the body temperature increase excessively, symptoms such as insomnia, anxiety, depression and chest tightness will be experienced.

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Symptom Group A

  • Extroverted, active, expressive and talkative
  • Easily irritated and angry
  • Face gets red often when stressed or in an argument

  • Strongly competitive with high self-esteem
  • Hard to fall asleep
  • Sensitive skin
  • Experiences heartburn with strongly flavored and spicy food
  • Chest tightness and frequent palpitation
  • Extroverted, active, expressive and talkative
  • Easily irritated and angry
  • Face gets red often when stressed or in an argument

  • Strongly competitive with high self-esteem
  • Hard to fall asleep
  • Sensitive skin
  • Experiences heartburn with strongly flavored and spicy food
  • Chest tightness and frequent palpitation
Read more
bodyMap

SNS(Sympathetic Nervous system) Dominant Type - Due to hypersensitive SNS

Insomnia is typically caused by hyperactivity of Sympathetic Nervous system(SNS). SNS hyperactivity occurs in two situations. First, there is an exaggeration of the sympathetic nerve itself due to external stimuli such as stress. Second, the function of the parasympathetic nervous system(PSNS) that suppresses the sympathetic nervous system, is declined, and the SNS is relatively hyperactive. Sympathetic hyperactivity is easy to understand when we imagine confronting a bear in the woods. To fight or flight, we require a large amount of blood supply to the muscle tissues, and our heart rate goes up to pump more blood. Increased blood flow to the muscle tissues naturally reduces blood supply to the gastrointestinal system, because digesting food matters very little when we are in a life or death situation. Immediate judgment continues to be asked where to run. There is be no time for sleep. In real life, when the SNS is triggered by stress for a prolonged time, there will be confusion within the body in adjusting to daily situations properly. Thus, digestive issues arise such as palpitation, loss of appetite, heartburn, bloating and acid reflux altogether with sleep problem from being very alert to changes to surroundings.

Learn More
Book an Appointment
greenleaf-check greenleaf-dot

Symptom Group B

  • Introverted and prefers to be alone
  • Especially sensitive to caffeine
  • Easily tired from things like bright light, strong smell or loud sirens coming from nearby.

  • Require some relaxing time alone in a quiet spot or dark room alone after a busy day.
  • Easily shy(startled)
  • Gets very stressed, timid and anxious about having to compete or someone watching your work doing something.
  • Gets cold easily (even when the temperature isn't cold)
  • Introverted and prefers to be alone
  • Especially sensitive to caffeine
  • Easily tired from things like bright light, strong smell or loud sirens coming from nearby.

  • Require some relaxing time alone in a quiet spot or dark room alone after a busy day.
  • Easily shy(startled)
  • Gets very stressed, timid and anxious about having to compete or someone watching your work doing something.
  • Gets cold easily (even when the temperature isn't cold)
Read more
bodyMap

SNS(Sympathetic Nervous System) Dominant Type - Due to hyposensitive PNS(Parasympathetic Nervous System)

Insomnia is typically caused by hyperactivity of Sympathetic Nervous system(SNS). SNS hyperactivity occurs in two situations. First, there is an exaggeration of the sympathetic nerve itself due to external stimuli such as stress. Second, the function of the parasympathetic nervous system(PSNS) that suppresses the sympathetic nervous system, is declined, and the SNS is relatively hyperactive. Again, bringing up the example of confronting the bear, when the bear leaves, the PSNS, which plays a role in restoring the heart rate to normal and relieving the tension in the muscles, does not function accordingly. Even when the bear is no longer around, our body feels as if we are still in the presence of a bear. The smallest sound, smell, stimulation, and stress will make your body react too quickly. Thus, the two SNS dominant types are similar, but characteristic manifestations are the opposite.

Learn More
Book an Appointment
greenleaf-check greenleaf-dot

Symptom Group C

  • Developed sleep problem after certain incidents
  • History of traumatic experience
  • Fear of scary, horror movies

  • Startled and frightened easily
  • Frequent sighs and chest tightness
  • Often experiences palpitation
  • Dry lips and mouth
  • Developed sleep problem after certain incidents
  • History of traumatic experience
  • Fear of scary, horror movies

  • Startled and frightened easily
  • Frequent sighs and chest tightness
  • Often experiences palpitation
  • Dry lips and mouth
Read more
bodyMap

Hyperactive Amygdala Type - Due to trauma-initiated hyperactivity of sympathetic systems

Over-activation of the amygdala is another reason to make anxiety by exciting sympathetic nerves. Amygdala is known to be responsible for the emotions associated with fear and avoidance. Amygdala detects fear and prepares for emergency events. For example, rabbits will perceive life threats when they encounter wolves. At this point, the amygdala is activated. It sends a danger signal to the hypothalamus, and the sympathetic nerves in the affected area are excited, accelerating the heart rate (chest pounding) and breathing rate because of the extra oxygen needed to make more energy that allows the rabbit to run away with all its strength. In modern society, it isn't common for humans to encounter such situations that activate the amygdala. Therefore, when an amygdala is over-activated due to a traumatic experience, it becomes difficult to stabilize on its own. PTSD after a robbery, assault, hostage incident, natural disaster, fire, motor accidents, war and similar traumas can quickly lead to this type.

Learn More
Book an Appointment
greenleaf-check greenleaf-dot

Symptom Group D

  • Wakes up early in the morning(1am-5am) and hard to fall back asleep
  • Severe chest tightness (stuffiness)
  • Depressed AND anxious
  • Hard to express anger and holds it in often

  • Feels heat rising on the face (hot flash)
  • Often experiences dizziness
  • Consumes excessive alcohol OR cannot drink at all( or very little)
  • Heat sensation in local parts of the body such as hand and feet.
  • Wakes up early in the morning(1am-5am) and hard to fall back asleep
  • Severe chest tightness (stuffiness)
  • Depressed AND anxious
  • Hard to express anger and holds it in often

  • Feels heat rising on the face (hot flash)
  • Often experiences dizziness
  • Consumes excessive alcohol OR cannot drink at all( or very little)
  • Heat sensation in local parts of the body such as hand and feet.
Read more
bodyMap

Hyperactive Hepatic type - Due to hyper-metabolism of liver

Our body temperature is mainly produced by skeletal muscle and liver. The liver generates heat through active metabolism and increases the deep, internal body temperature. Thus, when metabolism of the liver increases, the body temperature of our body also increases. If the metabolism of the liver is abnormally elevated and the body temperature increase excessively, symptoms such as insomnia, anxiety, depression and chest tightness will be experienced.

Learn More
Book an Appointment

THE DIAGNOSIS OF INSOMNIA

When diagnosing insomnia, it is necessary to distinguish whether a problem is due to sleep itself or due to other physical conditions and symptoms. For example, we can have trouble sleeping if we are in any discomfort or pain (a headache, digestive pain, musculoskeletal pain, etc.) If you have an auto accident and your body aches, you will have to cure the pain instead of insomnia. Moreover, – it’s something many people overlook – the problem with the digestive system has a significant impact on sleep. Therefore, if the insomnia is caused by other physical symptoms, we need to rid of the origin of your sleep issue first.

On the other hand, when sleep is diagnosed as a sole problem, the symptoms appear in three forms. First, falling asleep is difficult. Thoughts bite the tail of another thought after another, and even when our body is tired, the mind cannot fall asleep. The second form is waking up frequently. Often, the sleep breaks every few hours with vibrant dreams. Fatigue accumulates since you never feel rested. Finally, the third is waking up too early in the morning (3-4am) and unable to fall back asleep again. You are lying down wide awake until you have to get up to start the day. After identifying which of these three forms of sleeping issues you have, the diagnostic treatment methods proceeds by categorizing into four different constitutional types of insomnia above (back to top)

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Why choose GreenLeaf Clinic?

For the past ten years, GreenLeaf Clinic has been successfully treating anxiety through the use of acupuncture and herbs. Although the western diagnosis is anxiety, the TEM diagnosis is far more specific and dimensional. Thus, our treatment protocol begins the diagnostics process through a customized patient history form and a detailed assessment of physical symptoms with each patient. The treatment requires three to six months of continuous care.

The role of medication in treating insomnia

Doctors often recommend taking sleep medicines only for a short time. They are not the first choice for treating chronic insomnia. Taking sleeping pills for a short time can help you get some rest, while behavior and lifestyle changes can help you over the long term. Many sleep medicines cause side effects, such as low blood pressure, anxiety, and nausea. These medications can become less effective when your body gets used to them and may cause withdrawal symptoms when you stop using them. Thus, many doctors actively suggest other therapies (ex. acupuncture, aroma, yoga, meditation, etc.) that aim for the cure.

What makes eastern medicine different?

Eastern medicine cures (yes, we said it) anxiety by treating physical symptoms that arose with and before anxiety. Anxiety is often associated with depression and insomnia, but according to the theory of eastern medicine, other physical symptoms such as chest oppression, indigestion, skin problems, acid reflux, nausea, constipation, diarrhea and irregular periods are also correlated to anxiety. Of course, some of these symptoms are common side effects of anxiety drugs, and yes, that means eastern medicine can treat drug dependency as well. To find out more about how eastern medicine treats anxiety along with your other health issues, click on the link below to read our case reports and testimonials!

Is it ok to continue pharmaceuical prescriptions with herbal medicine?

Many patients visit the clinic to treat anxiety as well as to wean off drug dependency. With your physician’s guide, you need to gradually reduce the dosage of drugs prescribed and give some time for the body to work by itself again. A combination of acupuncture and herbal medicine works in harmony to address physical symptoms and care for emotional well-being.

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