Quick answer: Acupuncture may help with trouble sleeping, though the research is still limited and low quality. At Key Element Acupuncture in Westminster, near Arvada, Autumn Jensen, L.Ac., treats sleep problems as part of the bigger stress picture, and sleep is usually the first thing patients say changes. It works best alongside the care your doctor recommends, not instead of it.
What kinds of sleep problems do people come in with?
- Trouble falling asleep because your brain will not switch off.
- Waking at 3am and lying there until the alarm.
- Sleeping through the night but still waking up exhausted.
- Sleep that fell apart during a stressful stretch and never came back.
These rarely show up alone. They usually arrive tangled up with stress, anxiety or low mood, which is why Autumn treats them as one picture. See acupuncture for stress and anxiety in Westminster for the wider view.
What does the research say about acupuncture for insomnia?
We would rather be straight with you. According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), a 2021 review of 11 studies and 775 people suggested acupuncture may help improve insomnia, but the studies were small, used different methods, and were judged to be low quality. A 2019 clinical guideline found not enough evidence to recommend for or against acupuncture for insomnia, with one exception: a weak recommendation for auricular (ear) acupuncture.
NCCIH also says the most strongly recommended treatment for insomnia is cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I). If you have not tried it, ask your doctor. Acupuncture can be one part of the plan, and if you use it, tell your health care providers.
Why ear points matter for sleep
Auricular (ear) points are among the most used points for stress and anxiety, and they are part of most treatments at Key Element. They are quick to needle and easy to tolerate, and many people feel the settling effect while still on the table. Ear acupuncture is also the one form a 2019 guideline gave a weak recommendation for insomnia.
What is a sleep-focused treatment like?
Your first visit starts with a real conversation about your sleep, appetite, energy and what is going on in your life. Then the needles go in, usually including ear points, and you rest for 25 to 30 minutes. Most people drift into what Autumn calls an acu-nap: neither properly asleep nor awake, while the body drops into deep rest. Plan for about an hour for your first visit.
Many patients say they sleep better that night. Between visits, Autumn may suggest Chinese herbs, supplements or lifestyle changes to help the effect hold, and you will agree on a treatment plan together.
When to see a doctor first
Some sleep problems need a medical evaluation before anything else. The NIH National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute lists these signs of sleep apnea: breathing that stops and starts, frequent loud snoring, gasping for air, and heavy daytime sleepiness. If that sounds like you, talk to your doctor; you may need a sleep study. Acupuncture is not a replacement for sleep medicine, therapy or medication, and Autumn will never suggest you stop care you already have.
If you are in crisis or thinking about harming yourself, call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, or go to your nearest emergency room. Acupuncture is not the right help in that moment.
How many treatments will I need?
Autumn generally suggests committing to six to ten treatments to know whether acupuncture is working for you, starting once or twice a week because the effect builds. Once things settle, most people move to every two weeks or monthly.
What does it cost?
| Visit | Price |
|---|---|
| New patient, includes full intake | $145 |
| Follow-up treatment | $95 |
| Acupuncture plus cupping | $110 |
Key Element provides a super-bill with diagnostic codes you can submit to your insurer. See the acupuncture price guide for insurance, HSA and FSA details.
Every treatment is given by Autumn Jensen, L.Ac., MSOM: a licensed acupuncturist in Colorado, a Diplomate of Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (NCCAOM), and a Nationally Certified Chinese Herbalist, with a Masters of Oriental Medicine from Southwest Acupuncture College, more than 3,000 hours of education, and over 1,000 hours of clinical practice.
Where is Key Element Acupuncture?
Key Element Acupuncture is at 9035 Wadsworth Pkwy, Suite 3450, Westminster, CO 80021, inside the Silo Office Building at 90th and Wadsworth, less than half a mile north of the Arvada city line. Without traffic it is about 5 minutes from the Arvada Center, 8 minutes from Olde Town Arvada and 11 to 14 minutes from Ralston Valley, Candelas and Leyden Rock (drive times from Arvada). Hours are Monday 11:00am to 5:00pm, Tuesday 9:00am to 1:00pm, Wednesday 1:00pm to 6:00pm, and Thursday 11:00am to 4:00pm. Call (720) 443-2248 if you cannot find a time online.
Frequently asked questions
Does acupuncture help with insomnia?
It may. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) describes a 2021 review of 11 studies that suggested acupuncture may help improve insomnia, but the studies were small and judged to be low quality. At Key Element Acupuncture in Westminster, sleep is usually the first thing patients say they notice changing, often after the first or second visit.
Is acupuncture better than cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia?
No. NCCIH calls cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) the most strongly recommended treatment for insomnia. Acupuncture can sit alongside CBT-I or other care from your doctor; it is not a replacement for it.
How many acupuncture treatments for sleep will I need?
Autumn Jensen, L.Ac., generally suggests six to ten treatments to know whether acupuncture is working for you, starting once or twice a week because the effect builds. Once things settle, most people move to every two weeks or monthly.
What if I snore or wake up gasping?
See your doctor first. The NIH National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute lists loud snoring, breathing that stops and starts, gasping for air and heavy daytime sleepiness as signs of sleep apnea, which needs a medical evaluation and often a sleep study.
How much does acupuncture for sleep cost near Arvada?
At Key Element Acupuncture in Westminster, a first visit is $145 including the full intake, follow-up treatments are $95, and acupuncture plus cupping is $110. Key Element provides a super-bill you can submit to insurance.
Where can I get acupuncture for insomnia near Arvada?
Key Element Acupuncture is at 9035 Wadsworth Pkwy, Suite 3450, Westminster, CO 80021, less than half a mile north of the Arvada city line and about 5 minutes from the Arvada Center.
More stress and sleep guides
- Acupuncture for stress and anxiety in Westminster
- Acupuncture for stress, anxiety and insomnia near Arvada
- Acupuncture for work stress and burnout near Westminster
This article is general educational information, not medical advice. It does not replace an evaluation by your own health care provider. If you have a medical emergency, call 911.