Insomnia

Q Isn't treatment useless if my work stress isn't resolved?

A. Even if the source of stress persists, correcting the brain's arousal-response pattern clearly improves sleep quality.

Q Does the treatment for insomnia differ if I have anxiety or depression?

A. Yes, if depression or anxiety is present, sleep therapy and emotional therapy must be combined, and the composition of the prescription changes in Korean traditional medicine.

Q Can Korean medicine treatment help when I have sleep apnea?

A. Sleep apnea itself is primarily treated with CPAP, while Korean medicine treatment helps complementarily with accompanying insomnia, fatigue, and nasal congestion.

Q If I can't sleep, should I force myself to keep lying down?

A. No—if sleep doesn't come within 20 minutes, it is more effective to get up, do something simple in a dark room, and lie down again only when you feel drowsy.

Q Does taking a nap make it harder to sleep at night?

A. A late nap of more than 30 minutes (after 3 p.m.) can lower sleep pressure and interfere with nighttime sleep.

Q Why is long-term use of sleeping pills dangerous?

A. There are risks of tolerance, dependence, falls, and cognitive decline; in particular, the risk of fractures and dementia increases in the elderly.

Q Does herbal medicine put a burden on the liver?

A. Herbal medicine prescribed properly using genuine medicinal ingredients has a low risk of hepatotoxicity, and adjustments are made only after prior testing in cases of underlying liver disease.

Q I am taking sleeping pills; is it okay to take herbal medicine at the same time?

A. In most cases, co-administration is possible, but you must inform your doctor of Korean medicine that you are taking benzodiazepine drugs, such as Zolpidem.

Q Is a complete cure possible for insomnia?

A. Significant improvement is reported in over 70% of patients within 6 to 12 weeks when CBT-I is combined with Korean medicine treatment, even for chronic insomnia.

Q Does insomnia get worse if left untreated?

A. Yes—left untreated, the risk of accompanying depression and anxiety disorders rises 2–3 fold, and it can also lead to declines in cardiovascular and immune function.

Q What causes insomnia and what patterns does it follow?

A. Insomnia appears as difficulty falling asleep, difficulty staying asleep, or early-morning waking, all involving excess cortisol, an overactivated arousal system, and disrupted circadian rhythm.

Q Why is it harder to fall asleep when you worry a lot?

A. This is because anxiety and ruminating thoughts stimulate the brain's arousal system, interfering with the body temperature drop and melatonin secretion necessary for sleep onset.

Q Are there foods I should avoid before bed?

A. Caffeine, alcohol, and high-sugar foods disrupt sleep architecture, so it is recommended to avoid them starting 6 hours before bedtime.

Q Does looking at my smartphone really make it harder to sleep?

A. Yes—blue light suppresses melatonin and the stimulating content heightens brain arousal, delaying sleep onset by an average of more than an hour.

Q How often do I need to visit for insomnia treatment?

A. Twice a week for the first 2–4 weeks, then adjusted to once a week after stabilization, with a total course of 8–12 weeks being typical.

Q In what order does Korean medicine treatment for insomnia proceed?

A. The process proceeds in the following order: Initial diagnosis → Herbal medicine prescription + initiation of acupuncture (Weeks 1–4) → Evaluation and adjustment based on sleep diary (Weeks 5–8) → Maintenance treatment and conclusion (Weeks 9–12).

Q What examinations do I receive at the first visit?

A. Besides tongue diagnosis, pulse diagnosis, and an interview, you complete sleep-habit questionnaires (PSQI, ESS), and a referral for polysomnography (PSG) is offered if needed.

Q Is traditional Korean medicine actually effective for insomnia?

A. Yes, Sanjointang, Gyeobitang, and the like have significant clinical evidence for shortening sleep latency and improving sleep efficiency.