Psychiatry Clin Neurosci. 1995 May; 49(2): 119-20.

Acupuncture treatment for insomnia and acupuncture analgesia.

Lin Y.

Department of Physiology, Shanghai Second Medical University, China.

Acupuncture is a simple and useful treatment for insomnia, with a success rate of around 90%. The acupuncture points applied vary depending on the doctor and on the case, but the usual points are Shenmen (HT7) and Anmien (extrapoint). The mechanism of this treatment has not been well elucidated. Acupuncture analgesia may be used as a great indicator, because in both practices needles are inserted in deep tissues as the common stimulation. The possible neuronal integration and transmitter effect in the acupuncture treatment for insomnia are discussed.