Integrative care for all types of insomnia — addressing the root pattern through acupuncture, herbal medicine, naturopathy and kinesiology so you can sleep deeply again.
Book a Sleep Consult About AcupunctureInsomnia is the most common sleep disorder in Australia, affecting an estimated one in three adults at some point in their lives, with one in ten experiencing chronic insomnia that significantly impairs daily function. Poor sleep is not a trivial inconvenience — chronic insomnia is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, depression, impaired immune function, cognitive decline and reduced life expectancy.
Yet insomnia is often undertreated — or treated with sleeping medications that address the symptom without the underlying cause, creating dependency without resolution. Integrative medicine offers a genuinely different approach: identifying and treating the root pattern driving the insomnia, whether it is emotional, constitutional, hormonal, nutritional or structural.
At Health Therapies Clinics in Lane Cove, we approach insomnia with the full breadth of our practitioner team. Clients from Artarmon, Chatswood, North Sydney and St Leonards access a coordinated approach that combines the precision of TCM pattern differentiation with the evidence-base of naturopathic sleep medicine and the somatic support of kinesiology.
Initial Consultation: $200 / 90 minutes
Follow-up: $175 / 60 minutes
Herbal/Telehealth: $95 / 30 minutes
Hours: Monday – Sunday, 9am – 9pm
Location: Suite 1, Level 1, 141 Longueville Road, Lane Cove NSW 2066
Private Health: HICAPS — Medibank, BUPA, HCF, NIB, HBF, AHM
Book OnlineTraditional Chinese Medicine does not treat all insomnia the same way. The pattern of sleep disruption — when it occurs, what accompanies it, the nature of dreams, associated symptoms — points to a specific underlying disharmony that guides treatment precisely.
Difficulty falling asleep; easily startled; palpitations; poor memory; pale complexion; anxiety. The Heart houses the Shen (spirit/mind) in TCM — when Heart Blood is insufficient, the Shen has no stable home and becomes restless. Treatment nourishes Heart Blood and calms the Shen with herbs such as Suan Zao Ren Tang and acupuncture at HT-7, SP-6, BL-15.
Difficulty falling asleep; waking between 1–3am; vivid or disturbing dreams; irritability; headaches; red eyes; constipation. Liver Fire rises and disturbs the Shen, preventing the descending of consciousness into sleep. Treatment clears Liver Fire and settles the mind — herbs such as Long Dan Xie Gan Tang; acupuncture at LV-2, LV-3, GB-44, HT-7.
Waking repeatedly or early; night sweats; feeling hot in the evening; anxiety; tinnitus; low back ache; menopausal insomnia. Deficient Yin fails to cool and anchor the Yang, which rises at night and disturbs sleep. Treatment nourishes Kidney Yin and quiets the Empty Fire — formulas such as Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan; acupuncture at KD-3, KD-6, HT-7, Yin Tang.
Located at the wrist crease on the ulnar side, HT-7 is the primary acupuncture point for calming the mind, nourishing Heart Blood and settling the Shen. It is used in virtually every insomnia protocol regardless of pattern, and has been studied in clinical trials for sleep disorder with promising results.
Located between the eyebrows at the point commonly called the "third eye", Yin Tang is a powerful calming point with a particularly immediate effect on anxiety, racing thoughts and restlessness. Many clients feel a wave of relaxation within seconds of this point being needled. It is an essential addition to any sleep-focused acupuncture treatment.
An Mian is a pair of extra points behind the ear — not on the classical meridian maps but well established in clinical practice for insomnia, anxiety and hyperactive mind. Their precise location varies slightly between traditions but their sedating effect is consistently observed. Used alongside HT-7 and Yin Tang, they form a core sleep protocol.
Suan Zao Ren Tang (Sour Jujube Decoction) is a classical Chinese herbal formula that has been used for insomnia and anxiety for over 1,800 years. Its central ingredient, Suan Zao Ren (sour jujube seed, Ziziphus spinosa), has been the subject of modern pharmacological research confirming its sedative, anxiolytic and neuroprotective properties — including effects on GABA-A receptors and serotonin pathways similar in mechanism (though different in intensity) to conventional sleep medications.
The formula nourishes Liver Blood, calms the Shen and clears mild Heat — making it most appropriate for the Heart Blood or Liver Blood deficiency pattern of insomnia. It is typically prescribed alongside other herbs tailored to the individual's specific pattern. Chinese herbal prescriptions for insomnia are customised at each consultation and adjusted as the pattern evolves with treatment.
Our naturopathic approach to insomnia includes magnesium glycinate for nervous system relaxation and GABA support; specific B vitamins for cortisol regulation; sleep hygiene optimisation; assessment and correction of caffeine metabolism, blood sugar instability at night, and cortisol curve disruption. Where indicated, testing of melatonin, cortisol and thyroid function provides additional precision.
We encourage clients with insomnia to keep a sleep diary for two to four weeks before and during treatment — noting sleep onset time, wake times, total sleep, dream activity, mood upon waking and daytime energy. This data is invaluable for identifying patterns, tracking progress objectively and refining the TCM diagnosis as treatment proceeds.
Sleep tracking devices and apps can provide useful objective data on sleep stages and heart rate variability — a marker of autonomic nervous system balance. We welcome clients who bring this data to consultations, as it adds another dimension to our assessment alongside TCM pulse and tongue diagnosis.
Most clients with chronic insomnia notice meaningful improvement within three to six weeks of consistent acupuncture and herbal treatment — both in subjective sleep quality and in objective measures such as sleep onset latency and frequency of nocturnal waking. Acute insomnia (stress-triggered) often responds within two to four sessions.
Yes. We work alongside conventional insomnia management and do not ask clients to stop prescribed medications. As sleep improves with integrative treatment, we work with your GP to gradually reduce dependence on sleep medications where appropriate and safe to do so. Stopping sleeping tablets abruptly can cause rebound insomnia — any reduction should be gradual and supervised.
Acute insomnia often responds within two to four sessions. Chronic insomnia — present for months or years — typically requires a six to ten session course before stable improvement is consolidated. After an initial intensive phase, monthly maintenance sessions are often recommended to prevent relapse, particularly during stressful periods.
Chinese herbal formulas for insomnia are generally safe for extended use when prescribed and monitored by a qualified practitioner. Unlike pharmaceutical sleep medications, they do not cause dependency or morning drowsiness at therapeutic doses. Formulas are reviewed and adjusted at each follow-up appointment as your pattern changes with treatment.
Very commonly, insomnia is secondary to another underlying condition — anxiety, depression, menopause, chronic pain or stress. We address the underlying condition as well as the sleep disruption itself. If anxiety or menopause is a significant driver, we will coordinate your treatment across our psychotherapy and women's health practitioners as appropriate.
Integrative insomnia care at Health Therapies Clinics, Lane Cove. Open seven days, 9am–9pm. Serving the North Shore including Artarmon, Chatswood and St Leonards.
Book a Sleep Consultation