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.
New patients $110 · up to 90 minutes
Common Sleep Concerns We Support
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 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
Why Sleep is a Whole Body Issue
Good sleep depends on several systems working in rhythm:
The nervous system. To fall asleep, your body has to shift out of "fight or flight" and into "rest and digest." Chronic stress can keep you stuck on high alert.
Cortisol and blood sugar. A cortisol rhythm that is out of sync, or a blood-sugar dip overnight, can jolt you awake in the early morning hours.
Hormones. Shifts in estrogen and progesterone during the menstrual cycle, perimenopause and menopause often affect sleep.
The gut-brain connection. Digestion and the microbiome help shape serotonin and melatonin pathways.
Pain and inflammation. Discomfort makes deep, continuous sleep hard to reach.
Nutrient status. Low magnesium, iron or B vitamins can contribute to restless sleep.
In Chinese medicine, sleepless nights are often understood as a disharmony between the Heart, Liver and Kidney systems, a mind that can't "settle." Your specific pattern guides your treatment.
How Acupuncture can Help you Sleep
Acupuncture has been studied for insomnia in many clinical trials. Research suggests it may help:
Improve overall sleep quality. Systematic reviews pooling dozens of randomized trials have found that acupuncture improved sleep-quality scores compared with sham acupuncture, usual care, and in some studies sleep medication.
Calm the stress response. Acupuncture appears to influence the autonomic nervous system and stress hormones, which may help your body shift into rest mode.
Support sleep linked to other conditions. Studies have looked at insomnia alongside menopause, chronic pain, anxiety, high blood pressure and recovery from stroke, with encouraging results.
What the research says about how many sessions you'll need: A 2024 review of 56 trials found that benefits were more consistent with a course of treatment, roughly 12 or more sessions, than with just a few visits. Many patients notice changes, such as falling asleep more easily or waking less, within the first few weeks. We'll set a realistic plan together.
What Your Visit Looks Like
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1
A Through Conversation
Sleep hygiene, stress, indigestion, hormones, pain, and medications.
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2
Assessment
Traditional Chinese Medicine assessment and reasoning for your ailments.
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3
Acupuncture
Ultra-fine, sterile needles are placed to calm the nervous system and increase blood flow.
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4
Bodywork
Gentle Tui Na, acupressure, or myofascial work to relieve pain and tension.
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5
Your Plan
Nutrition, herbs, targeted supplements, and lifestyle guidance to support your health.
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 nights 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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
New patient visit: $110 · 6885 Tutt Blvd, Suite 100, Colorado Springs, CO 80923
For educational purposes only and isn't a substitute for medical advice. Individual results vary.