Two hundred cases of insomnia treated by otopoint pressure plus acupuncture

By: Peiwen, Shen

The author discusses his approach to the treatment of insomnia, discussing the management of 200 people (106 male and 94 female, ranging in age from 17 to 54 years) who were treated with ear point pressure plus acupuncture. The patients had disease durations varying from 2 to 245 days, and in 44 cases the insomnia was caused by other underlying conditions whereas in the other 156 it was simple insomnia. The main points selected were ear Shenmen, Heart, Shenshuai and Brainstem. Additional points were added according to the symptoms of the individual patients, for example for patients with liver disease, Liver was added; for those with gastric diseases Stomach was added. Seeds of Vaccaria Segetalis were taped to the points on one ear with adhesive plaster and the patients were asked to press the points daily, 3-4 times. 3 days later the treatment was performed on the other ear. 5 days constituted a course of treatment and good results were generally obtained after one course of treatment, but further courses could be given to consolidate the treatment effect. For patients who had been suffering insomnia for more than 2 months, acupuncture treatment was added. Where there was an underlying disharmony between the Heart and the Kidney, the following points were needled perpendicularly with reinforcing method where there was a deficiency, and reducing method for an excess condition: Sanyinjiao SP-6 (to a depth of 0.8-1 cun), Shenmen HE-7 (to a depth of 0.5-1 cun) and Shenshu BL-23 (to a depth of 1-1.5 cun). Where the insomnia was due to Stomach disorders, Weishu BL-21, Zusanli ST-36, Yintang (M-HN-3), Fengchi GB-20, and Shenmen HE-7 were used, puncturing Weishu BL-21 obliquely to a depth of 0.5-0.8 cun, Zusanli ST-36 to a depth of 1.5 cun, and the remaining points to a depth of 0.5-1 cun. Where there was deficiency, the clockwise twirling reinforcing method was used, and for excess conditions, reducing by lifting and thrusting was used. Puncturing Anmian (N-HN-54) at the same time could enhance the therapeutic effect. Where the insomnia was due to Heart and Spleen deficiency, Zusanli ST-36 was punctured to a depth of 1-1.5 cun using the reinforcing method and with retention for 20 minutes, with Yintang (M-HN-3), Baihui DU-20 and Anmian (N-HN-54) also needled for 2-3 minutes. As a result of these treatments, 75% of the patients were cured (i.e. able to sleep for 6 hours), 15% were much improved (able to sleep for 4-5 hours), 7% showed slight improvement and 3% saw no effect, giving a total effective rate of 97%. Patients with a shorter disease duration did better, and were generally cured after 1-2 courses of treatment. For patients with longer term insomnia, 3-4 courses of treatment were usually needed.