Why Can't I Sleep? Understanding Your Sleep Pattern Through Chinese Medicine
Not all sleep problems are the same. Some people struggle to fall asleep, others wake frequently throughout the night, while some sleep for hours yet still wake exhausted.
In Chinese medicine, these different sleep patterns can provide valuable clues about what's happening in the body. Rather than viewing insomnia as a single condition, treatment is based on identifying the underlying pattern contributing to your symptoms.
The framework below draws on Dr. Tan's Si Yuan Balance Method and offers a simple introduction to the different sleep patterns we commonly see, along with practical lifestyle suggestions to support each one.
Why Sleep Patterns Matter
One of the things I love most about Chinese medicine is that it recognises not all sleep problems are the same. Two people may both describe themselves as having "insomnia", yet the reason behind their sleep disturbance can be completely different. This is why treatment is never based on the symptom of poor sleep alone, but on understanding the underlying pattern contributing to it.
The framework below is based on the Si Yuan Balance Method developed by Dr. Richard Tan. It identifies common patterns of sleep disharmony according to the balance of the body's channel systems. While these patterns are a simplified introduction and don't replace an individual consultation, they offer an interesting way of understanding why your sleep may be affected and why different people require different approaches to treatment.
The Five Chinese Medicine Sleep Patterns
Jueyin/Shao Yang (JySY)- this person finds it hard to fall asleep because they’re tense. They hold on to past events and cannot let fo to relax. If they dream it’s often about the past.
Jueyin/Yang Ming (JyYM)- this person falls asleep, but its startled or awakened easily. They’re a light sleeper and they often require an eye mask and ear plugs to get to sleep. They often worry about future events causing them unable to sleep deeply.
Shaoyin/Shao Yang (SySY)- a) Hypersomnia. This person is always sleepy, awakes tired, hits the snooze often. Has none-regenerative sleep.
b) “Tired but wired”. This person lies down to sleep because they’re tired, but cannot sleep as they feel wired. In their dreams they may often feel powerless- for e.g they throw a punch and it doesn’t do anything.
Spleen/Heat/Shao Yang (SHSY)- This is related to the hormone cycle- can be menopause, menstrual cycle, and andropause. Often includes over-planning and thinking.
Heat- Restless sleep, toss and turn, often feel hot, sweats often, dreams nightmares.
Lifestyle Strategies to Support Better Sleep
Many people choose acupuncture as part of their approach to improving sleep. Following a comprehensive consultation, treatment is tailored to the individual's presentation and may be combined with lifestyle and dietary recommendations.
JySY Disharmony- stretch for 10 minutes before bed each night. Focus on the inner and outside areas of your leg. Some poses that do this include pigeon pose, low lunge, and forward fold. Mantra “I let go of the past and relax easily”, as you say this feel your shoulders relax.
JyYM Disharmony- meditate for 10 minutes before bed. Find home within yourself. Remove electronics 1 hr before bed, and have dim lighting and candles to create a relaxing atmosphere. The focus here is to minimise potential for overwhelm and decision. Mantra “I am in the right place at the right time doing the right thing”.
SySY Disharmony- Practice expansive breathing techniques where you imagine breathing in the universe, life and air deep down to your feet. Deep down into all your cells and the molecules of your being, and then breathing out and expanding that breath to reach first the opposite side of the room, then the other side of the house/town/state/country/world. Then breath the other side of the house/town/state/country/world into your cells, down your arms and legs.. repeat. Mantra “I am one with myself and the universe”.
SHSY- Write all your thoughts out on an A4 piece of paper before bed. Don’t worry about it making sense, just write everything that is on your mind. Google the practice “Morning Pages” (can also be done before bed too!). It is particularly important that this person seeks help to balance their hormonal state. Mantra “I am balanced and healed”
HEAT- Be kind to yourself. This is a stronger deficiency pattern and will require the help of a Chinese medicine practitioner to help combat. If you have nightmares focus on returning to your breath and bringing yourself back into the present moment. Massaging your feet before bed (especially with Magnesium cream) will help ground the Shen (your mind), while the magnesium can promote sleep. Mantra “I am grounded, I am Calm, I am enough”.
Looking for Support with Your Sleep?
Everyone experiences sleep differently, which is why Chinese medicine doesn't approach insomnia with a one-size-fits-all solution.
By understanding your unique sleep pattern and overall health picture, treatment can be tailored specifically to your needs. Alongside acupuncture, simple lifestyle practices and dietary recommendations may help support more restful, restorative sleep.
If ongoing sleep concerns are affecting your quality of life, it's important to seek advice from an appropriate healthcare professional. If you're interested in exploring whether acupuncture or Chinese medicine may be suitable for you, we'd be happy to discuss your individual situation.