Introduction
Escape the cycle of sleepless nights and discover why alternative medicines hold the key to conquering insomnia and suppressing the limitations of conventional treatments. It is no secret that insomnia remains one of the most common sleep disorders worldwide. One-third of adults experience occasional insomnia, which is chronic for 10% of people (Mutchler, 2022). Insomnia is categorized as either primary if there is no known cause or secondary in the case of medication and substances interfering with the sleep pattern. People who suffer from insomnia are less productive, have safety concerns, and have a lower quality of life (Ng & Parakh, 2021).
Today, many inexpensive and clinically proven alternative therapies are available. Alternative medicine to treat sleeplessness existed long before the discovery of conventional medicine. Although most Western people prefer the standard medical care in the mainstream, complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is the best choice for people with insomnia. CAM interventions have proven effective in improving sleep quality and duration (Verma et al., 2022). Unlike conventional medicine, alternative medicine helps people get better relief from insomnia.
Opposing Viewpoint
In many cases, conventional medicine is better than alternative medicine. Alternative medicine is primarily dangerous because it creates the illusion of an alternative to scientific medicine. The effectiveness of most methods of alternative medicine needs to be better studied, and there needs to be clinical evidence. Any clinic offering non-traditional medicine promises to get rid of all ailments. Still, patients have to seek help in such centers practically at their own risk since such activity has no normative regulation. It is not uncommon not only to be disappointed but also to cause damage to health, especially if one sees a charlatan who recommends another miracle remedy or methodology.
Variety of Alternative Treatment Options
The essential fact is that, unlike traditional medicine, alternative medicine offers various treatment solutions that patients can select from at their convenience for quick recovery: homeopathy, acupuncture, chiropractic, and herbal medicines. Some effective CAM therapies for insomnia usually include acupuncture, melatonin, ayurveda, yoga, and valerian (Ng & Parakh, 2021).
It has been proven that acupuncture and acupressure help to restore a normal sleep cycle but require administration by experienced practitioners (Ng & Parakh, 2021). Individuals can choose to use herbs and diet to help combat insomnia and its effects. There is proof that taking protein supplements containing L-tryptophan is an effective treatment for insomnia (Verma et al., 2022).
Many people know the relaxation techniques used in alternative treatment such that if a person feels drained, even their family members can help. The patient and their family have a chance to understand insomnia better (Mordeniz, 2019). Insomnia patients who opt for alternative medicine have many practical solutions.
Acupuncture
A wide range of alternative treatment options involves a unique, individualized approach to alleviating sleep problems, cumulatively considering a person’s physical, mental, and emotional well-being. For instance, a person with anxiety and irritability is recommended to use acupuncture, a direct alternative medicine that affects the human body through thin needles and particular skin points. A practitioner inserts thin needles and twisting movements into the points’ projections responsible for sleep and sedation. Acupuncture is a painless method, and already, during the session, there is a feeling of calmness and drowsiness. Specialists work on acupoints such as Shenmen (HT 7) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6) to treat insomnia effectively (Wu et al., 2020).
Acupressure
An equally effective alternative treatment method is acupressure based on finger pressure on body points. This non-invasive technique benefits insomniacs by physically pressing specific acupuncture points on their hands, feet, or ears (Pei et al., 2021). Generally, using acupressure and acupuncture gives excellent results in normalizing sleep patterns and defeating insomnia.
Herbs
In addition to the practices outlined above, people can make herbal drinks, soothing the nervous system to fall asleep faster and more soundly. Medicinal plants are accessible to everyone and have been proven by thousands of years of use. Mainly since nowadays, tinctures to improve and normalize sleep are sold in every pharmacy.
Experience in treating sleep disorders with the help of folk recipes based on plants has been counted for centuries. Today, these methods are recognized as official science. Herbal medicine, as part of alternative treatment, modulates gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and 5-hydroxytryptamine receptors, affecting brain enzymes to achieve the desired outcome (Yoon et al., 2021). Thus, herbal teas created within the framework of traditional East Asian medicine help to reduce symptoms of mild to moderate insomnia and improve the quality of life (Mun et al., 2019).
Most management techniques were passed down through mentorship and oral tradition from generation to generation. This treatment’s retention is partly due to successful outcomes with previous generations. Some evidence from word of mouth from patients who benefited from the program is sufficient proof of the effectiveness of such alternative medicine.
Safety and Holistic Benefits of Alternative Treatments
Promoting Harmony Between Body Systems
Unlike mainstream medicines, which have adverse reactions and side effects, alternative options are safe and have a holistic benefit to the body. Notably, comorbid conditions such anxiety, depression, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease are common in patients who suffer from insomnia (Ng & Parakh, 2021). Complementary therapies address the body as a whole, not simply sleeplessness. For instance, consuming supplements and maintaining a healthy diet can assist restore heart health and treat insomnia. Additionally, therapies like acupuncture successfully reduce anxiety and despair. (Verma et al., 2022). The main benefit is that the body doesn’t retain any chemical residues, which could cause further health problems.
The basic idea behind alternative methods is to stimulate the body’s natural reserves and maintain harmony between different body systems instead of just relieving symptoms. It is important to remember that when choosing alternative therapies, one should consult reliable and qualified professionals, such as functional medicine doctors or naturopaths. Together with them, one can evaluate alternative methods’ potential benefits and risks and their compatibility with other medications or procedures.
Ensuring Safety Through an Individualized Approach
There are guiding principles that people are encouraged to follow while using alternative treatment to ensure there are no risks. One of the general rules is to individualize treatment based on the whole person perspective (Cacho & Lum, 2021). The implication is that some interventions are only suitable for children, the elderly, women, men, those with chronic diseases, and people with general insomnia.
The type of alternative medicine recommended for one person differs entirely from another. For example, acupuncture may be effective in improving sleep among cancer patients. The exact mechanism may raise safety concerns for infants. An alternative medicine practitioner must inform clients which method is safer depending on the patient’s demographics and symptoms.
Empowering Patients by Shifting Responsibility from Doctor to Patient
In addition, alternative treatments ensure that patients are actively involved in treating insomnia and better understand their well-being. Entrusting a person to their welfare is advantageous because it gives them a sense of responsibility and shifts the power from a doctor to a patient (Cacho & Lum, 2021). Before an herbalist provides any intervention, they ask the person to record their sleeping pattern, monitor the outcomes, and adjust the herbs accordingly.
Compared to modern medicine, the alternative interventions recognize that people are biopsychosocial and spiritual beings, so difficulties sleeping is not an isolated problem. When using herbs, a specialist explains the source and the name, which draws attention to the spiritual aspect. Resultantly, a person gets drawn to the spiritual part of their identity and recognizes that there is a higher power who can offer supernatural help. An individual is compelled to start praying and thanking God and gets a sense of peace and safety, which further reduces insomnia complications caused by stress. Hence, even if an herbalist provides medicine, a patient can explore other possible sources of strength to help with their illness.
Cost-Effectiveness and Accessibility of Complementary Treatments
The complementary therapies are reasonably priced, and some are easily accessible. Information and testimonials from patients who have used the treatments are readily available to them (“Complementary therapies,” 2021). There is a variety of food that promotes relaxation and sleep hormones. People struggling with sleep disorders can search the internet for the necessary information. Furthermore, various non-traditional therapies including breathing techniques, mindfulness, and meditation are beneficial and cost-free. The patients must commit to consistently doing the activity until they retain a regular sleeping routine.
Therefore, people who do not have the finances to use pharmacological treatment can take advantage of alternative solutions, such as exercise, meditation, and mindfulness. However, it is essential to remember that each person is unique and responds differently to different treatments. For some people, traditional medicine may be more effective with its drugs and consultations with doctors. Therefore, it is recommended that one consult with qualified professionals so that they can help one choose the most appropriate and effective treatment method.
Meditation and Breathing
Alternative medicine is a cost-effective substitute for conventional therapies that do not require significant out-of-pocket costs for appropriate medications and services. Traditional medicine can be costly to consult doctors and purchase expensive pills, whereas specialized breathing exercises, physical activity, and simple meditation techniques are available to almost everyone. For example, meditation and breathing exercises can be learned through YouTube, free apps, or other online resources, providing accessibility and ongoing support for people with insomnia. Meditation and breathing exercises promote relaxation and improve mind control, while physical activity promotes fatigue and improves sleep regularity.
Meditation involves stopping thoughts and concentrating on the process of breathing and serves to harmonize the inner state. To turn off the “inner dialog,” some people need to say the words of a prayer or mantra, and some focus on the body’s sensations. People who meditate daily have better sleep, less anxiety, and worry about the future. Combining different treatments allows patients to choose the most effective way to manage their symptoms and restore regular sleep patterns.
Healthy Nutrition
Furthermore, the problem can be solved by simply adjusting the diet without taking sleeping pills. A healthy night’s sleep is necessary for relaxation and “resetting” all body functions. Without it, individuals’ concentration deteriorates, their immunity drops, and all internal body systems suffer. People sleep better and start the day stronger when they eat right. However, if people do not limit themselves to eating chocolate, fast food, and fatty food, especially at night, they often cannot fall asleep early and wake up tired. If it is an “emergency,” there are a few healthy foods: bananas, almonds, redfish, peas, and milk. These foods promote the production of melatonin (sleep hormone).
Conclusion
Insomnia affects many people who can experience it briefly or become chronic. Numerous health hazards and a decline in quality of life are brought on by the condition. People can improve their sleep patterns by using alternative treatment options. The holistic health of an individual is the focus of many complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) solutions. These can be acupuncture, acupressure, herbal teas, meditation, exercise, or eating foods that stimulate melatonin production.
Most of the complementary treatments have no adverse effects or chemical residues. They offer cheaper and readily available solutions to the people. Consequently, the many advantages make alternative treatment for insomnia better than conventional medicine.
References
Cacho, V., & Lum, E. (2021). Integrative sleep medicine. Oxford University Press.
Complementary therapies. (2021). Better Health Channel. Web.
Mordeniz, C. (2019). Traditional and complementary medicine. Books on Demand.
Mun, S., Lee, S., Park, K., Lee, S. J., Koh, B. H., & Baek, Y. (2019). Effect of Traditional East Asian Medicinal herbal tea (HT002) on insomnia: A randomized controlled pilot study. Integrative Medicine Research, 8(1), 15-20. Web.
Mutchler, C. (2022). Insomnia facts and statistics: What you need to know. Verywell Health. Web.
Ng, J. Y., & Parakh, N. D. (2021). A systematic review and quality assessment of complementary and alternative medicine recommendations in insomnia clinical practice guidelines. BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies, 21(1), 21-54. Web.
Pei, M., Chen, J., Dong, S., Yang, B., Yang, K., Wei, L., Zhai, J., & Yang, H. (2021). Auricular acupressure for insomnia in patients with maintenance hemodialysis: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 12, 1-9. Web.
Verma, K., Singh, D., & Srivastava, A. (2022). The impact of complementary and alternative medicine on insomnia: A systematic review. Cureus, 1(1), 1-13. Web.
Wu, P., Cheng, C., Song, X., Yang, L., Deng, D., Du, Z., Chen, X., Zou, T., Qiao, L., Li, N., Zhou, P., Du, L., & Zhu, Y. (2020). Acupoint combination effect of Shenmen (HT 7) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6) in treating insomnia: Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Trials, 21(261), 1-9. Web.
Yoon, J., Kim, E. H., Park, S. B., Lee, J. Y., & Yoon, S. W. (2021). Traditional herbal medicine for insomnia in patients with cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 12(1), 1-11. Web.
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