Bu mei (sleeplessness)
Insomnia
Trouble falling or staying asleep. Look at the routine, stress and constitution behind poor sleep, then plan care.
When people come in
- Lying awake for a long time
- Waking in the night or too early
- Tired and unfocused during the day
The Chinese medicine view
In TCM, sleep comes when yang settles into yin. Worry, emotion or depletion keep the spirit (shen) unsettled.
Common patterns
Heart and Spleen deficiency
Dream-disturbed, palpitations, forgetful
Liver fire disturbing the Heart
Hard to fall asleep, irritable, bitter taste
Heart and Kidney not communicating
Restless, hot at night, lower-back ache
Phlegm-heat
Chest oppression, bitter taste, many dreams
Patterns are identified by a practitioner through all four examinations. They are here to explain the thinking, not for self-diagnosis.
The medical view
Insomnia can relate to stress, routine, caffeine, pain, hormonal change or mood, and sometimes to sleep apnoea, thyroid problems or medication. Long-term insomnia, snoring with pauses in breathing, or persistent low mood should also be discussed with a doctor.
If you have thoughts of harming yourself, call 999, or The Samaritans Hong Kong on 2896 0000.
What the consultation covers
Elizabeth asks when you fall asleep, how often you wake, about dreams, daytime energy and diet, then discusses acupuncture, herbs or acupressure alongside realistic sleep habits.
Therapies that may be discussed: Acupuncture, Herbal medicine
What to bring
- A one- to two-week sleep diary
- Coffee, tea and alcohol habits
- Sleeping pills or other medication
Questions
Can I stop sleeping pills and switch to TCM?
Do not stop on your own. Agree any reduction with your prescribing doctor; TCM care can run alongside.
Do vivid dreams mean something is wrong?
They are read as part of the whole pattern, such as Heart–Spleen deficiency or Liver fire; one symptom alone is not enough.
Related reading
Common Acupressure Points for Relaxation & Sleep Support
Modern lifestyles, stress, anxiety, and irregular sleep schedules can all affect sleep quality. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), gentle acupressure is believed to help relax
Ear Acupressure Therapy in Chinese Medicine: Sleep, Gut, Pain
Ear Acupressure Therapy, also known as Auricular Therapy or Auriculotherapy, is a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) method that stimulates specific points on the external ear to s
Chinese Medicine Organ Body Clock
Ever find yourself waking up at the same time every night? Or feeling a dip in energy, focus, or mood at the same hour each day?
TCM Body Clock⏳
Each 2-hour interval of the day is governed by a different organ system. When an organ is at its peak energy, it’s the best time to support its function — or notice if something