Apnea Treatment Center

  • Sleep Apnea
    • All About Sleep Apnea
      • What is Sleep Apnea?
      • Sleep Apnea Causes
      • Sleep Apnea Symptoms
      • Sleep Apnea Side Effects
      • Sleep Apnea on Lighter Notes
      • Celebrities with Sleep Apnea
    • Types of Sleep Apnea
      • Central Sleep Apnea
      • Mixed or Complex Sleep Apnea
      • Children’s Sleep Apnea
  • Diagnosis
    • How to Diagnose the Cause of Your Sleep Apnea
    • Just Diagnosed With Sleep Apnea
    • Sleep Apnea Tests
      • Online Tests
      • At-Home Tests
      • Sleep Study
      • Sleep Studies for Sleep Apnea: Are We Paying Too Much?
  • Treatments
    • Selecting Your Treatment
      • How To Select The Best Treatment
      • Ultimate List of Treatments
      • 20 Home Remedies
      • Herbs for Sleep Apnea
        • 12 Proven Herbal Treatments for Sleep Apnea
        • Herbal Treatments for Sleep Apnea: Pros and Cons
      • 13 Foods That Crush Sleep Apnea
    • Sleep Apnea Exercises
      • Mouth and Throat Exercises
        • Mouth and Throat Exercises for Sleep Apnea
        • Mouth & Throat Exercises for Sleep Apnea: Try These 4 Simple Exercises
      • Breathing Exercises
        • Yoga Breathing Exercises
        • Try These 3 Yoga Breathing Exercises for Sleep Apnea
        • Buteyko Breathing Technique for Sleep Apnea
      • Singing Exercises
      • Didgeridoo Therapy
        • Didgeridoo for Sleep Apnea: How This Ancient Australian Instrument Can Cure Your Sleep Apnea
        • Where to Buy a Didgeridoo for Sleep Apnea (and How to Make Your Own)
    • Traditional Chinese Medicine
      • Acupuncture
        • Acupuncture Therapy for Sleep Apnea: Can Prickly Needles Cure My Apnea?
        • Acupuncture & Sleep Apnea: 3 Common Questions Answered
      • Acupressure
    • Lifestyle Changes & Weight Loss
      • Lifestyle Changes
        • Best Diets for Sleep Apnea: What You Should (and Should Not) Eat!
        • 6 Best Diets for Sleep Apnea
        • Sleep Hygiene
        • Sleep Apnea Pillows
        • Positional Therapy
      • Weight Loss
        • Weight Gain and Sleep Apnea: What’s the Connection?
        • Why is Weight Loss Important?
        • Weight Loss and Sleep Apnea: How Much Weight Do I Need to Lose?
        • One Proven Tip to Overcome Your Weight Loss Challenge
    • Best Sleep Aids & CPAP
      • Best Sleep Aids
        • Sleep Apnea Pillows: A Review of the Best Brands
        • Chin Straps for Sleep Apnea and Snoring
        • Mouthpiece for Sleep Apnea
        • Bumper Belts for Sleep Apnea
        • Nasal Strips for Sleep Apnea
      • CPAP
        • What Is CPAP?
        • Types Of CPAP
        • CPAP Pros and Cons
        • CPAP Problems
        • CPAP Alternatives
    • Dental Appliance
      • Appliance Types
      • Appliance Benefits
      • Buying Online
    • Surgery
      • Nasal Surgery
      • Mouth and Throat Surgery
      • Bariatric Surgery
  • Related Conditions
    • A to Z
      • B, D, F, H
        • Bruxism
        • Best Types of Home-Based Business for a People With Sleep Apnea?
        • Daytime Fatigue
          • Sleep Apnea and Fatigue: What Happens In the Night Impacts What Happens In the Day?
          • What’s Causing Your Daytime Fatigue? Two Main Causes
          • Should I Treat My Daytime Fatigue With Stimulants
        • Depression
        • Diabetes
        • Food and Sleep Apnea
        • Heart Disease
        • High Blood Pressure
      • I
        • Do You Know the Short- and Long-Term Side Effects of Insomnia?
        • Insomnia and Sleep Apnea – How The Two Are Related
        • Do You Know the 5 Main Causes of Insomnia?
        • How to Tell (For Sure) If You Have Insomnia
        • 10 Scientifically-Proven Quick Fixes for Insomnia
        • Insomnia Relief Without Addiction: The 5 Best Natural Supplements for Insomnia
        • Kicking the Habit: How to Get off Addictive Insomnia Medication
        • The Importance of Being Regular When You Have Insomnia (No, Not THAT Kind of Regular!)
      • N, O, P, R, S, T
        • Narcolepsy
        • Overweight
        • Obesity & Sleep Apnea
        • Overweight
        • Panic Attacks
        • Restless Legs Syndrome
        • Snoring
        • TMJ & Sleep Apnea?
        • TMJ Causes
    • Misc.
      • Can Self-Tracking Help Improve Your Sleep?
      • Obstructive Sleep Apnea Increases Risk of Preemie Babies?
      • Provent Goes out of Business(?)
      • Why Do Some People Need Less Sleep?
  • Store
    • Cure Your Sleep Apnea Without CPAP
    • The Singing for Sleep Apnea Program
    • The Acupuncture for Sleep Apnea Program
    • Cure Your Sleep Apnea with Herbs
    • Food, Allergies and Sleep Apnea
    • Yoga Breathing for Sleep Apnea
    • Buteyko Breathing for Sleep Apnea
  • Get Support
    • Free Course: Sleep Apnea Exercises
    • Just Diagnosed Support
    • Insurance
    • Disability
    • Experiences
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
  • (855) 502 1893

Acupuncture & Sleep Apnea: 3 Common Questions Answered

acupuncture for sleep apnea

One of the most common alternative treatments for sleep apnea is acupuncture. But a lot of patients are still skeptical about this "oriental" therapy because it seems unbelievable that tiny, painless needles strategically inserted into the body can actually help cure a condition of such magnitude.

But the fact is, acupuncture has helped thousands of people overcome their OSA. Here are three frequently asked questions by patients interested in acupuncture as an alternative sleep apnea treatment:

Quick Navigation
■ Does Acupuncture for Sleep Apnea Really Work?
■ Who Is It For?
■ How Does Acupuncture Cure Sleep Apnea, Exactly?
■ Learn More About Acupuncture for Sleep Apnea

■ Does Acupuncture for Sleep Apnea Really Work?

According to an increasing amount of scientific evidence, yes, acupuncture can cure (or significantly reduce) obstructive sleep apnea.

Study 1:

In one study consisting of 26 people afflicted with moderate sleep apnea, researchers compared the results among three groups: the acupuncture group, the placebo acupuncture group (where the participants were pricked with needles but without the proper technique or knowledge of acupuncture), and a control group.

It was found that participants in the acupuncture group, after 10 weeks of treatment, showed major improvements (around 50%) compared to the other two groups. Read more on this study here.

Study 2:

In another study which compared manual acupuncture and electro-acupuncture and their immediate effect on sleep patterns of patients with sleep apnea, it was found that both type of acupuncture methods contributed significantly in helping patients sleep better and prevent hypopnea (shallow breathing) episodes. You can learn more about the study here.

While these studies only involved a small group of subjects, their results give hope to sufferers of sleep apnea that acupuncture can help alleviate its symptoms.

■ Who Is It For?

Not all patients with sleep apnea should try acupuncture as an alternative treatment. Generally, patients with the characteristics below can be considered a good candidate for acupuncture:

  • Patients with mild or moderate sleep apnea who are not overweight or are actively losing weight.
  • Patients who do not have sleep apnea caused by physical obstruction of the airways (such as those caused by a deviated septum, etc.).
  • Patients who do not have other major health conditions such as diabetes, hemophilia, heart disease, and cancer.
  • Women who aren’t pregnant or breastfeeding.
  • Adults and adolescents (children may feel uncomfortable and restless during acupuncture).

The points above only serve as guidelines; it is up to your acupuncturist to decide if you are a good candidate for the treatment.

■ How Does Acupuncture Cure Sleep Apnea, Exactly?

Acupuncturists believe that the body is one with nature, and thus everyone has streams and rivers within the body, similar to Mother Nature. Instead of water though, the body’s “streams” (known as meridians) contain energy (known as “qi,” and pronounced as “chee”) which flows in a particular way through the body. If this flow encounters resistance or is interrupted, illness ensues as the body’s balance is thrown off.

Acupuncture restores the patient’s healthy sleep patterns by relaxing the nervous system and increasing the production of serotonin by the body, a substance that promotes better sleep.

Acupuncture also helps keep the upper airways open by stimulating and strengthening the muscles of the airway that usually collapse when the patient has an episode of sleep apnea.

■ Learn More About Acupuncture for Sleep Apnea

You should never undergo a sleep apnea treatment without preparing yourself first. To learn everything you need to know about acupuncture therapy for sleep apnea, please check out this essential guide: Cure Your Sleep Apnea With Acupuncture.

Interested in learning more about acupuncture therapy for sleep apnea? Please click here to get “Acupuncture for Sleep Apnea Program”.


Related Posts:

  • Acupuncture Therapy for Sleep Apnea: Can Prickly Needles Cure My Apnea?Acupuncture Therapy for Sleep Apnea: Can Prickly…
  • Do You Know the Short- and Long-Term Side Effects of Insomnia?Do You Know the Short- and Long-Term Side Effects of…
  • Weight Loss and Sleep Apnea: How Much Weight Do I Need to Lose?Weight Loss and Sleep Apnea: How Much Weight Do I…
  • Insomnia and Sleep Apnea – How The Two Are RelatedInsomnia and Sleep Apnea – How The Two Are Related
  • Best Diets for Sleep Apnea: What You Should (and Should Not) Eat!Best Diets for Sleep Apnea: What You Should (and…
  • How To Select The Best Treatment For Your Obstructive Sleep ApneaHow To Select The Best Treatment For Your…

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Popular Articles:

  • Acupuncture Therapy for Sleep Apnea: Can Prickly Needles Cure My Apnea?Acupuncture Therapy for Sleep Apnea: Can Prickly…
  • Do You Know the Short- and Long-Term Side Effects of Insomnia?Do You Know the Short- and Long-Term Side Effects of…
  • Weight Loss and Sleep Apnea: How Much Weight Do I Need to Lose?Weight Loss and Sleep Apnea: How Much Weight Do I…

Sleep Apnea

  • About Us
  • Free E-Course

Support

  • Contact Us
  • FAQs
  • Disclaimer

*Disclaimer: Content provided on Apnea Treatment Center is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. There's no guarantee of specific results mentioned on Apnea Treatment Center. Results may vary. Full disclaimer here.

©2018 All Rights Reserved. Apnea Treatment Center | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use

ApneaTreatmentCenter.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.