Acupuncture
Sleep & Digestion
Not falling asleep, sleeping lightly, waking at three and not getting back. Or no appetite, bloating, an unpredictable gut. After pain, these are the two things people ask about most.
Why it happens
Sleep and digestion have many causes — hours, stress, diet, or another health problem showing itself. Acupuncture here is adjunctive; it does not replace finding out why with your family doctor. Anything new, persistent or getting worse should be seen by a doctor first.
Chinese medicine understands this through its own framework of circulation and organ function. That is not the same as a modern diagnosis, and neither replaces the other.
How we assess it
Qi Qi Pan asks about the whole picture: your hours, stress, diet, history, what you are taking, and which part bothers you most. Plenty of people are nervous about needles — say so. She explains how many, where, and what you may feel, and leaves the decision with you.
What may be worth considering
Acupuncture as assessed, often with the warmth of moxibustion — which is performed by a registered TCM doctor at the clinic. How often and how far apart depends on the person, and you agree in advance what to watch for and when to review.
In an emergency, call 911 or go to your nearest emergency department. Persistent insomnia with a marked low mood, unexplained weight loss, blood in the stool or black stools, difficulty swallowing, or ongoing abdominal pain — see your family doctor or go to emergency.
In their own words
YouTube · VideosAcupuncture Helped a Friend. Is It Right for You?Qi Qi Pan · 0:57 · Transcript Common questions
I am afraid of needles — can I just ask about it first?
Yes, and you should say so. She talks through the whole process and what you may feel, and you can stop at any point.
Does it have to hurt to be working?
No. How strongly you feel something is not a measure of anything. Sharp pain or dizziness means tell the practitioner immediately.
I take medication, or I am pregnant — can I still have it?
Tell us, always. Medicines (blood thinners especially), bleeding problems, skin infections, and pregnancy all affect whether and how it can be done.
Call and describe it. The practitioner will say whether to come in, or suggest you get other checks first. The call is free.