Acupuncture for Insomnia and Better Sleep in Denver
What brings people in with insomnia
Trouble falling asleep because the mind will not stop
Waking at 2 or 3 a.m. and lying there
Light, restless sleep and waking up tired
Insomnia that has lasted for years
Night sweats and hot flashes that break up sleep
Pain that wakes you at night
Reflux or an overactive bladder that interrupts sleep
Sleep trouble that comes with anxiety or stress
Cutting back on sleep aids, with your prescriber's guidance
How acupuncture treats insomnia
Insomnia is usually a nervous system that will not stand down, and acupuncture gives it a direct instruction to do so. It helps in four ways. In a 2017 trial of 72 adults, real acupuncture beat sham on insomnia scores at every check-in and the gains held through follow-up, and a 2016 review of 30 trials found better sleep quality than sham or sleep medication, though many trials were small.
It calms a nervous system on alert
In many people with insomnia the nervous system stays in a state of alert, so the heart rate and breathing never fully slow at night. Points on the ears, wrists, ankles and the crown of the head slow both within minutes. Many people fall asleep within ten minutes of the needles going in, which shows the body how to drop into rest.
It treats what is waking you
Sleep is rarely broken by a single cause. Pain, night sweats, reflux and an overactive bladder can each pull you out of sleep, while a busy mind at bedtime, waking at 3 a.m. and light sleep with daytime fatigue each call for different points. I choose points for your pattern and treat the other complaints in the same visit.
It supports the body’s sleep chemistry
Research suggests acupuncture increases the body’s own melatonin production and influences calming brain chemicals such as GABA and serotonin. These are the signals that tell the brain it is night and time to sleep. For patients who want it, I add an evening Chinese herbal formula, which supports sleep without the morning grogginess of a sleep aid.
It retrains the rhythm of sleep
Repeating the experience of deep rest each week teaches the body to drop into it more easily at home. Falling asleep takes less time, the 3 a.m. wake-ups get shorter and then rarer, and mornings feel less heavy. Most people see a change in the first week or two.
What to expect
What to wear and bring
Wear loose, comfortable clothing. Eat a light meal beforehand, go easy on coffee close to your visit, and bring a list of your medications, including any sleep aids.
Your first visit
Plan on 90 minutes. We go through your sleep in detail: when you go to bed, when you wake, what wakes you, caffeine, alcohol, screens, pain and stress. I take your pulse and look at your tongue, then you get a full treatment. I will refer you out first if you snore heavily, stop breathing in your sleep or fall asleep during the day without meaning to, because those need a sleep study, not needles.
What it feels like
Most people feel a brief tap and then a heavy, drowsy calm. You rest for 25 to 30 minutes on a heated table in a quiet room, and many people fall asleep. Often the night after the first treatment is the best sleep in weeks.
How many visits
I recommend weekly visits for the first four to six weeks, then every two to four weeks, then stop. If your sleep problem is older than a year, plan on a longer course.
Add-ons that fit
For patients who want it, I add a Chinese herbal formula to take in the evening. If you are on a prescription sleep aid, keep taking it as prescribed and talk to the prescriber before changing anything.
Book Your Appointment
Why choose The Subtle Point
One practitioner, every visit
You see me, Michael Sugiura, L.Ac., Dipl. TCM (NCCAOM), at every visit. I am a Colorado licensed acupuncturist and have treated patients since 2017, the year I became licensed.
A private room, no rush
Every treatment is one-on-one in a private room on a heated table. You stay dressed for most treatments, and the visit is long enough to talk through what is going on.
Five-star reviews
Patients have left more than 500 five-star reviews across Google, ClassPass and Groupon, and the clinic holds a 5.0 rating on Google.
Easy to reach
3600 South Beeler Street, Suite 150, in Hampden Town Center at Hampden Avenue and I-25, with free parking at the door. Open until 7 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, and Friday and Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
500+ five-star reviews across Google, ClassPass and Groupon
124 Five Star Reviews
If you’ve found your way here just go ahead make that first reservation, you won’t regret it. I have been seeing Michael for over a year now, first for my anxiety and PTSD and then for continued gut health issues. Now I regularly see him for both acupuncture and cupping to help maintain my mental and physical wellness. He really tries to find the root cause, has many recommendations, and talks through the treatment with you. I often show up a stressed out, anxious, and in pain mess and leave feeling incredible relaxed.
—Liz Solorio
247 Five Star Reviews
Michael was very knowledgeable and professional. It was a very nice experience. We discussed regarding healthy food I am eating He recommended some food to try to help me with my weight and stress. It was a very productive discussion about stress, food. He also told me about cupping and what he’s doing next and if I was comfortable. I really recommend him.
—Mitsuko
146 Five Star Reviews
“Mike is so thorough and knowledgeable. Best acupuncture experience I have ever had. I will definitely be going back!”
“The owner Michael was super nice and very knowledgeable! I had a great experience!”
“This is the first time I’ve ever had acupuncture and cupping, and it was great. Definitely recommend.”
Prices
Payment
We accept cash, check, all major credit cards, and HSA/FSA cards. We don’t bill insurance directly, but we can provide a superbill you can submit to your insurance company for possible reimbursement.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Rarely, and never the way an injection does. Acupuncture needles are about the width of a human hair. Most people feel a brief tap, then a dull, heavy or warm sensation that fades in a few seconds. If any point feels sharp, tell me and I will adjust or remove it.
-
Many people sleep better the night of the first treatment. For the change to hold, plan on four to six weekly visits, then spacing out. Insomnia that has lasted for years usually takes a longer course.
-
Acupuncture stimulates specific points with very fine needles. That signals the nervous system to release endorphins, increases local blood flow, calms the stress response and reduces inflammation. In Chinese medicine terms it restores smooth movement of qi and blood where it has stalled. I choose points from your symptoms, history, pulse and exam, so no two plans are identical.
-
Do not stop a prescription on your own. Many of my patients do reduce or stop sleep aids over time, but that decision belongs to you and your prescriber. Acupuncture is safe to use alongside any sleep medication.
-
Most insomnia patients do, often within ten minutes of the needles going in. That is a good sign. It means your nervous system can still drop into rest, and the treatments make that easier to do at home.
-
Yes, this is one of the most common sleep complaints I treat. Early-morning waking is often tied to stress and to the body running hot at night, and the point selection for it is different from trouble falling asleep.
-
Book online at acusimple.com/access/4476, or call or text (720) 285-6251.