Fall Series Webinars with Karen Allen CCH Adjuncts In Constitutional Care: Insomnia
Roadmap for Our Training Session Today Normal sleep and it's impacts on health Sleep disturbance: Maintaining Causes Supportive options for clients Life style and environment choices Help getting to sleep and staying asleep Homeopathics Breathing exercises Gemmotherapy Foot reflexology Herbal support: teas, aromatherapy and Bach Flowers
Sleep: The Goal is Regeneration Normal sleep: 7-10 hrs/day You are getting enough when you wake without an alarm Regenerative function on all body systems Concept of sleep bank account Insufficient sleep: common chronic health complaint 30% of adults experience insomnia 3 rd most common complaint after colds and headaches Concept of sleep bank account Contributes to weight gain, chronic pain, poor immune function Chronic insomnia: 3 nights/wk or 16 nights per mo
Insomnia: Who are We Talking About? Increasingly common with age During aging, melatonin levels from the pineal gland can fall and make sleep harder to achieve / maintain Women are more than twice as likely to experience insomnia as men especially around menstrual period in perimenopause/ menopause
Insomnia: Likely Terrain and Diagnoses Any pain condition Acid reflux / GERD Restless leg syndrome Urinary issues with frequent nocturnal urination Overactive thyroid / restless / can't settle Stress / worry / anxiety / overwork Effects of many medications Women are more than twice as likely to experience insomnia as men especially around menstrual period and in perimenopause/ menopause
Conventional Diagnosis and Therapeutics Diagnosis based on: Client report Sleep study THERAPEUTICS: Anti- anxiety medications (Xoloft, Xanax) Anti-depressants (Welbutrin, Prozac) Sleeping meds: Ambien, Lunestra, Rozerem CPAP machine for apnea related sleep disturbance
Hey, Wait A Minute! Is this Constitutional? Well, it could be... Is insomnia life-long for the client? Is there a family history? Is the onset since some major life event? Or maybe not so much? Lifestyle issues (diet, exercise, caffiene, work) Prescription meds that disrupt sleep Sleep issues as fall out from other symptoms
Insomnia: Lifestyle Choices Diet with protein / carb balance, and healthy fats Reduce / avoid caffeine and alcohol Reduce / avoid light/stimulation in the hour before bed, including television, ipad, computer Exercise, but not in the evening Create good sleep hygiene Regular routine for bedtime and sleep Prepare for bed: warm bath, food with tryptophan, stretching, tea Comfortable environment, 70 degrees or less Limit ambient light in the room White noise / air flow / fan Manage issues with bed companions
Insomnia: Homeopathic Support Organ support for the endocrine system Pineal gland 6c or 12c nightly before bed for 3-5 days OR Anterior pituitary 12c 2-3 times weekly, especially for women with menstrual or menopausal issues OR Hypothalamus 12c 2-3 times weekly, especially after hormonal insult Gemmotherapy to quiet nervous system and stimulate melatonin release, taken 15-30 minutes before bed Linden (Lime Tree) Fig
Insomnia: Reflexology
Insomnia: Breathing and Mind Games Teach clients 'Belly Breathing' The abdomen should rise and fall, not the chest Breathe in to a count of 6, out to a count of 6 10 breaths then start over Teach clients to break thought patterns by thinking of unrelated words: frog aspirin elbow table banana etc Try using a mental mantra one word said over and over in the mind like 'one' or 'calm' Try listening to quiet music or a familiar books on tape story
Insomnia: Aromatherapy and BFR Aromatherapy: Lavendar and Chamomile Use an infuser or drop a few drops into a piece of cloth and put it inside the pillow case Use scented oil to massage feet / reflexology Bach Flower Remedies can help Rescue Remedy and Rescue Sleep Impatience (irritable about not sleeping) White Chestnut (repetitive churning thoughts) Vervain (overexcitement) Mimulus (afraid to go to be because of not being able to sleep)
Naturopathy has so much to offer Magnesium 5HTP Herbal formulas Insomnia: Nutritional Supplements and Teas Teas before bed (use a small cup!) Chamomile Oat grass Valerian
SO... are you ready to begin? Review Your Cases If you have past cases with clients who had insomnia, review their cases Investigate options and select a plan for the practice case, regardless of whether you are still seeing the client Try it Yourself If you have a sleepless night, try some of these yourself You can speak authentically about what you have experienced Your Questions?
November 18, 2014 Webinar: Adjuncts In Constitutional Care Insomnia This document serves as verification that : has completed 1 hour of training with Karen Allen CCH in homeopathic therapeutics and client management. These hours can be used to meet the pre-requisite formal training or continuing education criteria for the Council for Homeopathic Certification. Please print and keep as your record of attendance.