INSOMNIA & SLEEP

Acupuncture for Insomnia & Sleep in Colorado Springs

It's 2 a.m. and you're awake again. Your body is exhausted, but your mind won't stop. Or maybe you fall asleep fine and then wake at 3 a.m., wide awake and watching the clock. In the morning you push through with coffee and willpower, and the whole cycle starts over.

Schedule Appointment

New patients $110 · up to 90 minutes

Sleep Concerns Acupuncture Can Help

Poor sleep isn't a character flaw, and you shouldn't have to just live with it.

A mind that won't shut off at bedtime
Waking between 1-4 a.m., can’t fall back asleep
Light, restless, or unrefreshing sleep
Waking tired after a full night’s sleep
Night sweats or hot flashes

Sleep problems tied to anxiety, stress or PTSD
Pain that keeps you up
Shift-work, deployment, or travel disruptions
Relying on sleep aids
Daytime fatigue, brain fog, and irritability from poor sleep

Good sleep depends on several body systems working in rhythm.

A wired nervous system. Chronic stress can keep you stuck on high alert.
Cortisol and blood sugar. An off-rhythm cortisol cycle or overnight sugar dip can wake you early.
Shifting hormones. Menstrual cycles, perimenopause, and menopause often change how you sleep.
Gut, pain, and nutrients. Digestion, inflammation, or low magnesium or iron can disrupt deep rest.

In Chinese medicine, your unique pattern guides your treatment.

Why Sleep Is a Whole Body Issue

How Acupuncture Can Help You Sleep

Research suggests acupuncture may help your body rest more deeply.

Better sleep quality. Reviews of many trials found improved sleep-quality scores.
A calmer stress response. It may help your body shift into rest mode.
Support alongside other conditions. Studied with menopause, pain, and anxiety, with encouraging results.
Progress you can feel. Many patients notice changes within the first few weeks.

Research note: A 2024 review of 56 trials found benefits were more consistent with a course of roughly 12 or more sessions than with just a few visits.

What Your Visit Looks Like

1

Your Story, Fully Heard
We talk through your sleep, stress, digestion, hormones, pain, and medications.
2

Finding Your Pattern
A Chinese medicine assessment shows what's keeping you awake.
3

Gentle Acupuncture
Ultra-fine, sterile needles help calm your nervous system and increase circulation.
4

Soothing Bodywork
Tui Na, acupressure, or myofascial work eases tension and pain.
5

Your Plan
Nutrition, herbs, and simple daily steps to keep you feeling better between visits.

Nearly 20 years of experience helping thousands of patients.

Certified Functional Medicine Clinician (CFMC), trained to look for root causes rather than just symptoms.

Conveniently located at 6885 Tutt Blvd, Suite 100, in northeast Colorado Springs.

Why Patients Choose Dr. Dawna Ara

Doctor of Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine (DACM) and Registered Nurse. Eastern medicine grounded in Western clinical training.
NCCAOM board certified. Licensed in Colorado & California.

Rated 4.8 on Yelp (56 reviews)

“Dawna gave me my first true night’s sleep in many years. My face, jaw, and neck actually felt like they had rested. I had forgotten how good morning could feel!”

~ SUMMER K., YELP

Frequently Asked Questions

Everyone is different. Research suggests a course of treatment works better than one or two visits. Many patients start with weekly or twice-weekly visits for several weeks, then space them out as sleep improves. We'll check in on your progress at each visit.
Please don't stop or change any prescription on your own. Many patients use acupuncture alongside their current care. If your goal is to reduce medication, talk with your prescribing provider, and we'll coordinate with your overall plan.
Many people report feeling very relaxed after a session, and some sleep noticeably better that night. Others notice gradual changes over several visits. Both are normal.
Most people are surprised by how little they feel. The needles are about as thin as a hair. You may notice a brief pinch, a dull ache, warmth or tingling, and then most patients relax deeply.
It's one of the most common reasons women come in. Research on acupuncture for menopausal symptoms, including sleep, is encouraging though mixed. We combine it with nutrition and hormone-supportive care. See our Hormones & Women's Health page.
A new patient visit is $110, and follow-up visits are $80. Ask about packages if you're planning a series of treatments. We accept HSA and FSA cards.

Ready to Sleep Better?

You don't have to keep white-knuckling your way through the night. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Dawna Ara to talk about your sleep, find what's keeping you awake, and build a plan to help your body rest and recover.