Sleepwalking in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Understanding different sleepwalking patterns according to TCM theory
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Condition Categories
Sleepwalking, also known as somnambulism or noctambulism, is a sleep disorder falling under the category of parasomnias. It involves performing complex behaviors while in a state of partial arousal from deep sleep, often with no subsequent memory of the activities.
Common behaviors during sleepwalking episodes include walking, talking, or performing routine tasks. The person sleepwalking usually appears awake, though they are in a sleep state and not fully conscious. Sleepwalking is more common in children and adolescents and can be triggered by various factors, including stress, sleep deprivation, and certain medications.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) approaches sleepwalking as a symptom of underlying disharmonies within the body's energy systems. TCM views sleepwalking as an indication of imbalance, particularly in the Heart and Liver systems, which are responsible for housing the mind and regulating emotions, respectively.
Unlike Western medicine that often focuses on neurological and environmental factors, TCM emphasizes restoring internal harmony and balance through various treatments, acknowledging that sleepwalking can be caused by different patterns of disharmony.
Herbal Formulas for Sleepwalking
Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas used to address sleepwalking