The Lingshu (The Vital Axis) states: "When yang qi is at its limit and yin qi is abundant, one's eyes are closed. When yin qi is at its limit and yang qi is abundant, one is awake." TCM holds that if yin and yang are in harmony, one's sleep is normal. Sleeping problems are related to the state of protective qi, as well as internal harmony of the body. Under normal circumstances, the body's protective qi flows along the yang meridians in the daytime which enables the organs to function actively and thus remain awake. On the other hand, protective qi flows along the yin meridians at night, thus the body becomes inactive and needs to sleep. When the internal harmony is disturbed, the stability of Shen (spirit) inside the heart is affected and insomnia will then occur.
| 1. |
Press and knead the center of the crown of the head (Du20), 30 times. |
| 2. |
Thumb-knead the inner sides of the eyebrows (Bl2), 30 times. |
| 3. |
Put the thumbs on the temple area and use the middle knuckles of the index fingers to press the inner canthi of the eyes, then scrape apart along the upper and lower orbits, 30 times. |
| 4. |
First rub the hands together to get them warm, then put them over the closed eyes for 30 seconds; slightly rub the eyeballs, 10 times or more. |
| 5. |
Thumb-knead the depressions below the occipital bone (Gb20), at the bottom of the skull, 30 times. |
| 6. |
Cross the hands and put on the abdomen, rub the upper abdomen, first clockwise and then counterclockwise 30 times; then rub the lower abdomen clockwise and counterclockwise 30 times. |
| 7. |
Press and knead the front of the forearm, 2-finger-breadths above the midline of the wrist (Pc6), 30 times on each side. |
| 8. |
Press and knead the lateral side of the wrist (Ht7), 30 times on each hand. |
| 9. |
Press and knead 1-finger-breadth below the anterior crest of the tibia (St36), 30 times on each leg. |
| 10. |
Press and knead 3-finger-breadths above the inner malleolus of each ankle (Sp6), 20 times. |
| 11. |
Rub the center of the sole of the foot (Kl1), 30 times on each side. |
For individuals with associated signs, add the steps below:
| Fatigue, dream-filled sleep and palpitations |
 |
Rub heavily along the sides of the upper and middle spinal column, 30 times. |
|
| Dizziness, ear ringing, lumbar soreness and seminal emission |
|
Knead heavily the kidney area, 30 times. |
|
Knead the depressions behind the inner ankle malleolus of each ankle (Ki3), 30 times. |
|
| Blood-shot eyes, irritability and constipation |
|
Rub first along the side of the ribs, then the lower abdomen, 30 times. |
|
Knead both sides of upper back, about mid-chest level (Bl18), 30 times. |
|
Knead the dorsum of the foot, depression between the big toe and the second toe (Lr3), 30 times on each side. |
|
Nip and knead the middle part of the palm web, between the thumb and the index finger (Li4), 30 times on each hand. |
|
 |
| Massage to relieve insomnia |
|
|
