PSYCH X TCM
Insomnia & Stress Programme
Melt away stress & sleep soundly without pills
PULSE+ is at the forefront of integration of East and West medicine approaches, with the focus on helping clients achieve natural, holistic healing. You thus have the option of adding on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) to complement our psychologist services.
TCM treatments such as acupuncture and herbal remedies have been long used in China for insomnia and other mental health concerns. Research evidence from clinical trials has also supported TCM treatments to be effective for insomnia, but without the unpleasant side effects that sleeping pills usually come with.
Benefits
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) is a designated ‘gold standard’ insomnia treatment by medical authorities. It has been backed by research evidence as one of the most effective treatments for insomnia with long-lasting benefits.
Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medication have been supported by research as effective for insomnia, with comparable effects to Western medication.
Stress & Insomnia from A TCM Perspective
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) focuses on how disruptions in the flow of Qi (vital life force that flows through the body)
and organs functioning can contribute to sleep issues.
Based on TCM theory, various organs regulate different types of emotions and mental activity. Imbalances in the functioning of the liver, heart and spleen in particular usually play a role in insomnia and other emotional issues.
Liver Qi Stagnation
- Most common cause of insomnia
- Usually caused by stress or emotional upset which leads to blockage of Qi in the liver
Symptoms
- Disrupted sleep–waking in the middle of the night and unable to fall back asleep
- Mood swings
- Irritability
- Anxiety or depression
- Muscle tension
- Irregular periods
Heart and Spleen Deficiency
- Overthinking and overstimulation can weaken the functioning of the spleen and the heart
- The heart houses mental activity and the spirit. Its functioning is important for a peaceful and calm state of mind.
- The spleen is connected to thinking and worry.
Symptoms
- Difficulty falling asleep
- Excessive dreaming
- Overactive mind
- Overthinking & worrying
- Restlessness
- Fatigue
- Poor appetite
- Palpitations
Note that this list is not exhaustive and there are other types of imbalances that can also contribute to insomnia. Your physician will conduct a thorough assessment and examination to identify your own unique condition and health imbalances.
How TCM Can Help with Insomnia & Stress
For information on how psychotherapy can help with insomnia, please visit our main insomnia page.
Acupuncture & Chinese herbal medication have been used in China for millenia to treat insomnia.
Acupuncture can help by:
The effects of acupuncture treatment can be felt almost instantly. After sessions, patients have often reported feeling ‘reborn’ or ‘rejuvenated’, and as if their stress had ‘drained away’.
Chinese Herbal Medicine
Prescribed herbal formulas usually involve a combination of several herbs, tailored to target each patient’s unique symptoms and imbalances. They effective on its own or combined with acupuncture.
Price
PSYCH X TCM Trial Bundle
- Prices are exclusive of GST.
- Only applicable for first-timers to the programme.
- To enjoy this trial price, please notify our clinic that you are coming for a trial session upon registration. Otherwise regular pricing will apply.
- If acupuncture treatment is chosen as part of the package, additional charges would apply to herbal medication prescription or other additional treatments.
- Note that more than one TCM/Psychologist session is usually needed to adequately resolve the presenting issue (see FAQ). A-la carte pricing for TCM & Psychologist would apply for subsequent sessions.
- Discounted credit packages are available in-clinic. Consult with your physician to find one that suits your needs.
For questions about the programme, please contact psychologist@pulsegroup.health or 9831 9912 (Whatsapp)
Embark on a path of physical and mental well-being.
Book an appointment with us today.
Book appointment
FAQ
To book an appointment, complete the Appointment booking form above. Our team will get in touch with you to schedule your appointment with our psychologist and/or a TCM physician at your preferred clinic location.
As our psychologist and TCM physicians are based in different clinics, your psychotherapy and TCM sessions will be conducted in separate visits.
TCM Sessions
Each standard session consists of a consultation with our TCM physician and an acupuncture treatment (can be substituted with Chinese Herbal Medicine prescription) . Additional treatments or herbal prescriptions may be recommended. (Duration: 45 – 60 mins).
TCM sessions can be conducted at PULSE TCM clinics islandwide.
Psychotherapy Sessions
The psychotherapy sessions (Duration: 60 mins) are conducted at PULSE Allied Health clinic at Camden Medical Centre (by Orchard Blvd MRT), where our psychologist is based.
The number of sessions needed would vary person-to-person as it depends on many factors; from the severity of the presenting condition to external factors that can also affect the condition (e.g. lifestyle, stress level, etc).
Below is a general guide. Note that some people may need less or more.
TCM
- 5-10 sessions
- Once weekly (twice for serious conditions)
Psychologist
- 4-8 sessions
- Once weekly, fornightly at later stages
In general, patients with simple, mild conditions would require less frequent and fewer sessions. Those with more complex conditions with additional contributing factors (e.g. a highly stressful job or lifestyle, psychological factors) will require more frequent visits and a longer duration of treatment.
Yes, you can choose to consult just a TCM physician or our Psychologist. On the appointment booking form, simply follow the booking process for either clinician rather than selecting the option for both.
However, please be aware that we would still highly recommend combining both clinicians for faster symptom relief and the most effective overall results.
More complex insomnia that involve psychological and behavioural components (e.g. sleep anxiety, poor sleep habits) may not be fully resolved from TCM treatments alone and can especially benefit from psychotherapy to help make the necessary changes.
Because our psychologist and TCM physicians are based at separate clinics, this may not be possible. We can try to arrange the sessions on the same day but they will be at different locations.
TCM physicians and psychologists commonly see patients with comorbid conditions. They would be able to tailor the treatment accordingly. Our psychologist can also additionally help non-mental health issues such as relationship and self-esteem issues.
Acupuncture needles are extremely thin, and most patients do not find acupuncture to be painful. Many actually find the process calming or it is common to fall asleep during treatment.
However, if you still do not wish to undergo acupuncture simply inform your physician. He or she will use other TCM treatments instead such as Chinese Herbal Medication; which is just as effective; or cupping therapy and moxibustion
Acupuncture and CHM have often been used in conjunction with prescription sleeping pills and psychiatric medications (antidepressants, anxiolytics). For CHM, it is recommended to be taken two hours apart from other medications. However, do also check first with your prescribing physician on this.
Have more questions?
Visit our AskPULSE portal to ask our PULSE+ Allied Health specialists or PULSE TCM Physicians any questions about your health or our services.