Acupuncture is a widely known practice and is often considered a complementary option when it comes to improving one’s sleep. Especially when compared to other practices and medications, the adverse and risks of acupuncture are relatively low. That said, acupuncture can absolutely be part of the solution but not necessarily the whole solution. Limited studies have been published regarding this topic and the results continue to vary from person to person. However, it is still perceived as a great treatment to consider.
In this blog, we'll explore how acupuncture may help improve sleep, what current research says, and what you can do alongside acupuncture to support better sleep.
Brief Introduction on acupuncture.
Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medicine practice that revolves around the belief of Yin and Yang and that the human body contains ‘qi’. This ‘qi’ flows through meridians and can have blockages, stagnation and imbalances, which is believed to be the source of bodily pains and other issues. Thus, to address these issues, acupuncture needles are inserted in specific (acu)points of the body to stimulate the qi and restore the yin & yang balance.
Acupuncture and Sleep
Many integrative health clinics offer acupuncture as a treatment to help with sleep difficulties, including insomnia, as well as anxiety, depression, and other mental health concerns. As these troubles are more often than not interconnected, it is common to address these issues together.
During these treatments, acupuncturists will aim at a particular set of points with either acupuncture needles or acu-pressure.
According to Villines 2025, these points may include An Mian, Shen Men (HT7), San Yin Jiao (SP6), Tai Chong (LV3), Taixi (KD3), Yin Tang. On the other hand, a systematic review by A 2024 systematic review by Lu et al identified Shen Men (HT7), San Yin Jiao (SP6), Baihui (GV20), Zusanli (ST36), and Neiguan (PC6) among the most frequently used acupoints for treating insomnia, particularly in older adults (Lu et al., 2024). The research suggests that when these points are stimulated via acupuncture, it may subsequently influence the nervous system and brain regions involved in emotion, cognition, and stress regulation, although the exact mechanisms are still being studied.
Another study further discusses its effects through a randomized controlled trial published in Sleep Medicine. The trial had two groups, one which received the actual acupuncture treatment while the other was stimulated a sham acupuncture treatment. The results found that there was a significant improvement in insomnia, sleep efficiency, sleep time and depressive symptoms with the group that received acupuncture compared to those who received the sham treatment.
Thus, these findings suggest that acupuncture is still a great and safe treatment to consider, especially for those who prefer a low-risk option or seemingly do not respond positively towards medication. However, responses to treatment can vary, and acupuncture should not replace medical advice or treatment when needed.
What else can a person do for better sleep?
To maximize the acupuncture treatment, what also certainly helps is creating better sleeping habits.
Have regular hours.
It's widely understood that the body runs on a circadian rhythm. Thus keeping the same sleeping hour every day, will certainly help regulate the body and give it a sense of when to fall asleep and when to wake naturally.
Keep your sleep environment tidy.
Creating a good environment to sleep in is what helps support a better quality of sleep and to help stay asleep. An ideal room would be cool, dark with limited noise and reduced exposure to bright lights.
Limit stimulating activities before bed
Avoid large meals, caffeine, alcohol, and excessive screen time in the hour or two before sleeping. Instead, try relaxing activities such as reading, gentle stretching, or meditation.
In conclusion
Overall, the secret to better sleep stems from how one can regulate their anxiety, nervous systems and to create better habits. Acupuncture is a practice that can help address these issues by restoring the balance of qi and yin & yang. While acupuncture is not the cure, research suggests it may have a positive effect on sleep quality for some individuals. When combined with healthy sleeping habits, acupuncture is still an option worth considering for those who wish to improve their sleep naturally.
Sources:
Villines, Z. Pressure Points to Help Someone Fall Asleep. Medical News Today. Updated May 23, 2025. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/327274
Yin, X., Gou, M., Xu, J., Dong, B., Yin, P., Masquelin, F., Wu, J., Lao, L., & Xu, S. Efficacy and safety of acupuncture treatment on primary insomnia: A randomized controlled trial. Sleep Medicine, 37, 193–200 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sleep.2017.02.012
Lu, G., Chen, F., Guo, C., & Wu, J. Acupuncture for senile insomnia: A systematic review of acupuncture point. Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics, 127, 105586 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.archger.2024.105586