Calming the Mind: Three-Point Combinations for Anxiety and Insomnia
Anxiety and insomnia are extremely common patient presentations encountered in the clinic – undoubtedly even more so in today's challenging times. Often these patients are also apprehensive or sensitive to needling sensation; or blatantly afraid of acupuncture needles in general.
Let's discuss three of my favorite acupoint prescriptions that offer a minimalist approach for patients suffering from general anxiety and insomnia. These prescriptions use only three points apiece, yet provide highly effective results, allowing apprehensive patients to experience the benefits of acupuncture with minimal invasiveness.
This is perhaps my favorite point prescription for anxiety and insomnia in all patients; however, this three-point formula is particularly applicable for patients who are anxious about using acupuncture points on the hands or feet. All points are located on the scalp, and work quickly and effectively to calm the mind in cases of anxiety and insomnia. It is extremely effective for patients who suffer from anxiety / insomnia and/or chronic headaches, chronic nasal allergies, poor memory, poor concentration, mild to moderate depression, tense shoulders, and visual fatigue / eye strain due to daily work with computer screens.
Use of the GB point allows this acupuncture prescription to drain excess from the liver meridian that can accumulate due to liver depression qi stagnation; while the Du and Extra points target any symptomology expressed in the head area, both physical and symbolic. Each of these three points is named with shen in the title, connecting the points to important therapeutic implications in dealing with anxiety, insomnia or even stress over needling. If symptoms are particularly strong, the point yintang (EX-HN 3) or the ear points could be added to help.
These three points do not require excessive or extreme needle manipulation and can easily be inserted in a painless manner. Once patients experience the effectiveness of this gentle three-point combination, they will often be open to trying points on the hands and feet.
This prescription is highly effective for calming the mind and resolving anxiety / insomnia due to such patterns as liver depression, heart fire and yin deficiency. It is also convenient for patients who are needle sensitive and request minimal needling.
The chronic nature of such symptom patterns tends to deplete the kidney yin and heart blood, and cause liver depression qi stagnation. These points supplement the kidney yin, nourish heart blood and course the liver qi.
If, after needling these three points, the patient experiences a sense of calmness, often another point can be added if the patient is receptive. I often add Du 20 (baihui), the meeting point of the governing vessel with the bladder, gallbladder, san jiao and liver channel. Du 20 pacifies wind, subdues yang, benefits the head and sense organs, nourishes the Sea of Marrow, benefits the brain, and calms the spirit. All these diverse actions are a wonderful complement to this simple three-point prescription.
Point Prescription #3
Anmian (EX-HN 16) + Shenmen (HT 7) + Taixi (KI 3)
This point prescription is highly effective for heart / kidney yin deficiency and "failure of the heart and kidney to communicate." I have found it to be one of the most effective acupuncture protocols for issues such as acute / chronic insomnia, poor concentration and focus, anxiety, and chronic worry. Over time, these symptoms deeply drain the yin reserves of the heart and kidney.
This prescription can also be easily modified if the patient feels open to other points; Du 24, Du 20 and yintang (EX-HN 3) can be added to help calm the mind and provide the patient with quick relief from the constellation of stress-related symptoms. Ear points can also be added if the patient is open to more points, with excellent clinical results in my experience.
Clinical Takeaway
I hope this short article inspires you to create your own three-point protocols for patients who may be hesitant or apprehensive about the use of many acupuncture points; and to also provide efficient and effective relief from stress-related symptoms that can cause emotional disturbances. Never forget the simple power of two-to-three acupuncture points in calming the minds of patients suffering in an increasingly stressful world.
As modern medical standardization continues, the field of traditional Chinese medicine has the advantage of comprehensive personalization. For rare or complex cases, deeper consideration of constitution is invaluable. Proper constitutional assessment, especially with first-time clients, can guide desirable and predictable outcomes. This leads to a higher rate of return, and greater trust between you and your patient.
Though the creation of a financially sustainable, health-promoting model feels far away today, we are casting a vision for a full return on health, believing that this compels us to keep one foot firmly rooted in caring for the sick and the other foot firmly founded in maintaining health. Shifting from a fee-for-service model to value-based care using a phased approach is paramount.
Laser therapy has emerged as a powerful tool in the realm of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). This new modality fits beautifully into the toolbox of the modern acupuncturist, as it can be used as a hybrid form of stimulation to acupuncture points, meridians, organs, nerves, and symptomatic areas in a new way that blends both moxa and energetic needle-like responses.
