Acupuncture for Insomnia in Brighton
Not being able to sleep can affect almost every part of your life. You might struggle to fall asleep, wake repeatedly during the night, wake far too early, or sleep for hours but still wake feeling exhausted.
I’m an acupuncturist and Chinese medicine practitioner with 16 years of clinical experience, now practising in central Brighton. Sleep has been a particular interest of mine throughout my career, and my Master’s research focused specifically on insomnia.
Rather than treating everyone with sleep problems in the same way, I look at what may be contributing to your individual pattern of insomnia and tailor each treatment accordingly.
Can Acupuncture Help With Insomnia?
Recent research into acupuncture for insomnia is encouraging. Systematic reviews have reported improvements in measures such as sleep quality and insomnia severity, although the studies vary in quality and more high-quality research is still needed.
In my own practice, I see many different patterns of poor sleep. You may:
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struggle to switch off and fall asleep
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wake frequently throughout the night
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wake at 3 or 4am and be unable to get back to sleep
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sleep very lightly
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find your mind starts racing as soon as you go to bed
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sleep for long enough but still wake feeling unrefreshed
The important thing is that I don’t simply treat “insomnia”. I look at what your particular sleep problem looks like and what else is happening alongside it.
For example, your sleep may be closely connected with anxiety or stress, physical tension, digestive symptoms, hormonal changes, pain or changes in your energy and mood.
All of that becomes part of how I approach your treatment.
How I Approach Insomnia in Chinese Medicine
Chinese medicine looks at sleep as part of the wider picture of your health rather than as an isolated symptom.
During your first consultation, I’ll ask quite detailed questions about your sleep: when you go to bed, how long it takes you to fall asleep, when and how often you wake, what happens when you wake, dreams, how you feel in the morning and how your sleep affects you during the day.
I’ll also ask about things such as your digestion, energy, emotional wellbeing, physical tension and, where relevant, your menstrual cycle or hormonal changes.
Alongside our conversation, I use traditional Chinese medicine diagnosis including pulse and tongue diagnosis and body palpation. Drawing on my Shiatsu training, I briefly palpate along the meridians to gather additional information about what is happening in the body.
All of this helps me build an individual picture rather than using the same set of acupuncture points for everyone who has trouble sleeping.
What Happens at Your First Appointment?
Your first appointment lasts approximately 60 minutes and includes both a detailed consultation and acupuncture treatment.
We’ll explore:
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your current sleep pattern
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how long you've been having problems
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anything that seems to trigger or worsen your sleep
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anxiety, stress and emotional wellbeing
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digestion, energy and other physical symptoms
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medication and relevant medical history
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lifestyle and sleep habits
I’ll also look at your tongue, feel your pulse and briefly palpate along the meridians before choosing your acupuncture points.
You will receive acupuncture during your first appointment. Where appropriate, we may also discuss whether Chinese herbal medicine could be useful alongside acupuncture.
What Happens at Follow-Up Sessions?
Follow-up appointments are also 60 minutes.
We begin with a short check-in and look at what has happened with your sleep since the previous session — for example, whether you’re falling asleep more easily, waking less often, getting back to sleep more easily or feeling different during the day.
This is followed by approximately 15 minutes of Shiatsu massage.
The Shiatsu gives me additional information about how your body is responding while also giving you time to settle and relax before the acupuncture.
I then tailor the acupuncture treatment according to both what you've told me and what I've observed during the session.
How Many Acupuncture Sessions Will I Need for Insomnia?
For most people, I recommend starting with 3–5 weekly sessions and then reviewing your progress.
You don't need to commit to a long course of treatment upfront. During those first few sessions, we'll look at whether your sleep is changing — including how easily you fall asleep, night waking, early waking, how rested you feel in the morning and how you're functioning during the day.
If you're noticing worthwhile changes, we can decide together whether to continue and how frequently you need treatment.
Long-standing or particularly complex sleep problems may need a longer course of treatment. If you're not seeing enough change, however, I don't believe in asking you to keep coming indefinitely.
What If My Insomnia Is Linked to Anxiety?
Anxiety and poor sleep very often feed into each other.
You may lie awake because your thoughts won't stop, or start worrying about sleep because you've had so many difficult nights. After a while, simply going to bed can become stressful.
When anxiety and insomnia occur together, I don't treat them as two completely separate problems. I look at the whole pattern — including your emotional state, physical tension and how your body responds to stress.
Can I Have Acupuncture While Taking Sleeping Medication or Antidepressants?
In many cases acupuncture is used alongside conventional treatment.
You should not stop or change prescribed sleeping medication, antidepressants or other medicines because you're having acupuncture. Any changes should be discussed with the clinician who prescribed them.
Please tell me about any medication you're taking during your first consultation so that I have a complete picture of your health and treatment.
What If I’ve Had Insomnia for Years?
Long-standing insomnia is something I’m particularly interested in.
My Master’s research focused on insomnia, and over the years I’ve worked with people whose sleep problems have persisted for many years — including people who can barely remember a time when they slept well.
One of my case studies follows a man in his late twenties who had struggled with sleep since childhood. His experience is individual and can't predict how somebody else will respond, but it gives a good example of how I approach a complicated, long-term sleep problem.
When Should I Speak to My GP About Poor Sleep?
Acupuncture does not replace appropriate medical investigation.
The NHS recommends speaking to your GP if you've had difficulty sleeping for months, changes to your sleep habits haven't helped, or your insomnia is affecting your daily life and ability to cope.
It is also important to seek medical advice if there may be another sleep disorder involved — for example, significant snoring or interrupted breathing during sleep.
You can still have acupuncture alongside conventional medical care where appropriate.
Is Acupuncture Painful?
Acupuncture needles are extremely fine and most people are surprised by how little they feel.
You may occasionally experience a brief sensation when a needle is inserted or a dull, heavy or tingling sensation around a point. Once the needles are in place, many people find the treatment deeply relaxing.
Fees
Initial consultation and acupuncture: £60
Follow-up appointment including Shiatsu and acupuncture: £60
Concessionary appointments
I want treatment to be accessible to people who need it, so I keep two appointment slots each week available at a concessionary rate for people who would otherwise find the regular fee difficult to afford.
Concessionary appointments are £30 per session and are available for up to 10 sessions, subject to availability.
If you feel you would benefit from the concessionary rate, please get in touch to ask about availability.
About Your Practitioner
I’m Inbal Sivan, an acupuncturist and Chinese medicine practitioner with 16 years of clinical experience.
I hold a Diploma in Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine from Campus Broshim following four years of full-time study, and an MSc in Advanced Oriental Medicine from Middlesex University.
My Master’s research focused on insomnia, and sleep has remained a particular clinical interest throughout my career.
I am a member of the British Acupuncture Council (BAcC) and the Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine (RCHM).
Patient Experience
“Inbal is incredibly caring and conscientious. My sleep is so much better after 5 sessions and I no longer experiencing a racing heart at night. I'm so grateful for her work!”
Keely B.
"Inbal is a genuinely caring human being and an excellent therapist. I thoroughly enjoyed our sessions, where I was left feeling relaxed and well nurtured. The quality of my sleep has increased a lot and my anxiety levels are diminished. Thank you so much Inbal."
Sousana P.
Considering Acupuncture for Insomnia?
If poor sleep is affecting your energy, concentration, mood or ability to cope with everyday life, you're welcome to come and talk to me about whether acupuncture might be something you'd like to try.
You can book a full first appointment, or if you'd rather speak to me first, you can book a free consultation with no obligation.
Brighton Acuclinic
57 Ship Street
Brighton BN1 1AF
Page reviewed by Inbal Sivan, MSc — September 2026