Treatment of Anxiety and Insomnia with Acupuncture and Chinese Herbs: A Case Report

Anxiety and insomnia are common symptoms of perimenopause and affect many women, reducing their quality of life. Acupuncture is often overlooked as a safe and effective therapy for this transition. A 52 year-old female with chronic anxiety and insomnia had worsening of both symptoms when she went through perimenopause. She received 16 acupuncture treatments based on a Chinese medicine diagnose of Liver qi stagnation and Kidney yin and yang deficiency. After nine acupuncture treatments and prescription of Chinese herbal medicine, her anxiety severity was reduced by 60 per cent, she was sleeping twice the number of hours per night and her energy levels increased. This case report shows the effectiveness of acupuncture and Chinese herbs in the treatment of anxiety and insomnia.