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Insomnia

We work with insomnia sufferers who have decided to take full ownership of their recovery. Who wants to discover the reconnection with life and relief that comes from regulating hyperactivity in their brain’s limbic system.

Most of our clients are people who understand that there’s more to insomnia treatment than medication. This is for people who believe in the value of self-care.

We believe that classic insomnia ‘treatments’ like medication are valuable tools. However, they don’t form a holistic approach to insomnia treatment. Self-care and self-healing are important aspects of every mental health journey. Insomnia is a complex issue that impacts the entire person, so a flexible and holistic approach to healing is often necessary.

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Learn More About Insomnia Care

Severn sessions are for people who want to reclaim their nervous systems. By taking a holistic approach to heal from stress. 

Most ‘healing journeys’ require us to be open to various perspectives and solutions. Especially if we want to truly free ourselves from stress in the longer term. 

This is an opportunity to learn more about what causes stress to get ‘stuck’ in our nervous systems and the modern treatment options that now exist.

Insomnia Overview
Insomnia Causes
Insomnia Treatment

The Science

If you have ongoing insomnia symptoms, you may have a persistent over-activation of your limbic system. The limbic system is the part of your brain responsible for the fight/flight/freeze response. Severn sessions use gentle high-frequency light to target hyperactive nerve cells deep in the limbic system.  

From a neurological (nerdy) perspective, the effects of insomnia are simply a nervous system that is starved of REM sleep. For many, this is caused by hyperactivity in the limbic brains’ fight/flight/freeze centres. 

The fight-flight-freeze response involves multiple brain centres and body systems. The central processors for this are all located deep in the brain’s limbic system. When the limbic system persistently signals the body that the environment isn’t safe, the body acts accordingly. As a result, physical and psychological symptoms like insomnia can eventuate. 

We are discovering more and more ways to reduce hyperactivity in the limbic system. As a result, great progress is being made in the effective treatment of insomnia. The rise of EMDR Therapy, Trauma & Stress Release Exercises, Mindfulness, CBT and Somatic Experiencing Therapy are all examples of that. We offer light therapy sessions as another breakthrough in self-care for insomnia sufferers.

Severn Brainwave Entrainment sessions enhance mental and emotional well-being by reducing fight-flight-freeze activity in the limbic system. Brainwave Entrainment leverages the fact that nerve cell clusters deep in the brain respond to light. Many of the brain’s deep nerve clusters are every bit as responsive to light as skin and eye cells.

High-frequency LED light is gently beamed straight into the brain through light-receptive pathways to reduce the over-activation of the brain’s fight or flight centres.

 

Insomnia FAQs

Insomnia is a sleep disorder that involves difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep or waking up too early and being unable to fall back asleep. The limbic system, which includes the amygdala and hippocampus, is involved in regulating sleep and wakefulness. 

In a pure sense, it is both useful and accurate to view insomnia as what happens when the brain is unable to down-regulate itself enough to go through full sleep cycles. Insomnia is the inability to ‘switch off’. The good news is that it’s almost unheard of for insomnia to be incurable as long as you are doing the right things. Sadly though, very few insomnia sufferers have access to the right tools and perspectives needed to reliably improve their sleep.

From a brain-based perspective, insomnia happens deep in the connections between the limbic system and the endocrine (glandular) system. Virtually every cell on the planet is set to a light-based 24-hour biological clock imposed by the planet’s rotation. This includes the inside of the human brain. The brain has a light-sensitive pathway that knows when to ‘power up’ and ‘power down’ the human being. When this system goes into disarray, we suffer from insomnia.

Insomnia can be caused by a variety of factors, including stress, anxiety, depression, emotional trauma, chronic pain, medications, addictions and medical conditions such as sleep apnea or restless leg syndrome. Trauma and stress can contribute to insomnia in long-standing and unseen ways. The limbic system’s amygdala, which is involved in processing emotions, can be overactive in people with insomnia, leading to increased stress and anxiety. Sleep issues are a common side effect of this.

Symptoms of insomnia can include difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, waking up too early, feeling tired or irritable during the day, and having trouble with concentration or memory. The hippocampus, which is involved in memory consolidation during sleep, can be affected by insomnia, leading to impaired memory and cognitive function. If you have bad insomnia, you will know that it can make life extremely difficult across everything from fitness, to work and close relationships.

Insomnia is typically diagnosed by a healthcare professional who will ask about sleep patterns, symptoms, and medical history. They may also conduct a physical exam or sleep study to rule out other medical conditions. The hypothalamus, which is involved in regulating the sleep-wake cycle, can be monitored during a sleep study. If you are struggling with your sleep and feeling tired a lot, it is safe to say you have some level of insomnia.

According to doctors, there are two main types of insomnia: acute and chronic. Acute insomnia is short-term and often caused by stress or life events, while chronic insomnia is long-term and may be related to underlying medical or psychological conditions. Most insomnia sufferers agree that the actual two types of insomnia are ‘can’t get to sleep’ and ‘can’t stay asleep’.

Insomnia can often be managed and improved, and there are certainly millions of people who have managed to resolve their sleep issues. Curing insomnia can be a bit like curing tooth decay; both can take lifelong care and work to maintain good outcomes. Treatment options can help to reduce symptoms and improve sleep quality. The thalamus, which relays sensory information to the brain, can be involved in the processing of sleep quality and responsiveness to treatment. Aside from treatment, self-care and ‘sleep hygiene’ are usually the real keys to the oh-so-wonderful sleep kingdom long term.

The obvious and popular approach to insomnia is the good (but very old-fashioned) sleeping pill. And while these have their place, most of us would prefer to find ways to ‘heal’ our sleep cycle rather than rely on yucky chemicals long-term.

Insomnia can be targeted through a variety of drug-free approaches, including cognitive-behavioural therapy, EMDR therapy, Brainwave Entrainment, meditation, hypnosis, sleep hygiene and lifestyle changes. Trauma-informed care can be especially helpful for addressing underlying trauma that may be contributing to insomnia. The amygdala and hippocampus, which are involved in emotional processing, sleep and memory consolidation, can be targeted in trauma-informed therapy approaches.

A range of herbal remedies worth trying for insomnia includes valerian root, hops, passionflower, lavender, ginseng and 5htp. Natural approaches to insomnia also include relaxation techniques, melatonin supplementation, meditation, breath work, reducing caffeine intake, establishing a consistent sleep routine, and sleep hygiene principles like less screen time. These approaches can help to activate the limbic system and parasympathetic nervous system, which are both involved in relaxation and sleep.

Medications used to treat insomnia may include sedatives, hypnotics, or anti-anxiety medications. However, it is important to consult with a healthcare professional before taking any medications for insomnia. Medications can affect the neurotransmitters in the brain, including GABA, which is involved in relaxation and sleep.

Lifestyle changes that can help with insomnia may include establishing a consistent sleep routine, avoiding stimulants such as caffeine and nicotine, and engaging in regular exercise. These changes can help to regulate the sleep-wake cycle and promote relaxation.

The most common lifestyle factor that causes insomnia is persistent stress, which can be both personal or professional. If you are struggling with sleep, it is important to take a careful look at which parts of your life could be causing some persistent stress. It is highly likely that any ongoing emotional pain points are an integral part of your sleep issues. Even the lifestyle we led yesterday can affect our sleep today. Many people suffer long-term with insomnia because of old stresses and old trauma’s that still hold ‘real estate’ in the nervous system, Like subtle forms of the post-traumatic stress soldiers go through. If you have some present-day stress or some old emotional wound that hasn’t healed, these could be the key to your insomnia issues. This is particularly likely if the issues relate to feeling safe in your environment. Some of us can’t sleep because there is a ‘sentinel’ in the brain that wants to keep watch and doesn’t feel safe to switch off properly.

The length of time it takes to treat insomnia may vary depending on the individual and the treatment approach. It is important to work with a healthcare professional to develop a personalized treatment plan. There is way more to resolving insomnia than simply throwing pills at it, so if that’s all your healthcare provider suggests, be suspicious of their assessment. Resolving bad cases of insomnia quickly usually means a combination of treatment and sleep hygiene principles.

Brainwave Entrainment, EMDR therapy, TRE and Peter Levine’s work on trauma or stress can be helpful in addressing underlying trauma that may be contributing to insomnia. These therapies can help to regulate the limbic system, which includes the amygdala and hippocampus, and promotes relaxation and sleep. However, it is important to note that the length of treatment will depend on the severity of the insomnia and any underlying medical or psychological conditions.

If you are experiencing difficulty falling or staying asleep, or you feel tired and unrefreshed after waking up, you may have insomnia. It is important to speak with a healthcare professional who can help you determine the underlying cause of your insomnia and develop a personalized treatment plan. This may involve addressing lifestyle factors, such as reducing caffeine and alcohol consumption, establishing a regular sleep schedule, and engaging in relaxation techniques, as well as considering medication or therapy. It is also vital to take some personal responsibility for learning about sleep. Watch some podcasts with Matthew Walker; he is a true sleep guru and probably knows a lot more about sleep than your family doctor.

Brainwave Entrainment, EMDR therapy, TRE and Peter Levine’s work on trauma or stress can be helpful in addressing underlying trauma that may be contributing to insomnia. These therapies can help to regulate the limbic system, which includes the amygdala and hippocampus, and promotes relaxation and sleep. However, it is important to note that the length of treatment will depend on the severity of the insomnia and any underlying medical or psychological conditions.

Sleeping pills may be effective for treating short-term insomnia, but they can also have side effects and may be habit-forming. It is important to speak with a healthcare professional who can help you determine the best treatment approach for your individual needs. In some cases, cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) may be a safer and more effective long-term treatment option.

Can insomnia be a sign of a more serious health condition?

Insomnia can be a symptom of an underlying medical or psychological condition, such as sleep apnea, depression, anxiety, or chronic pain. It is important to speak with a healthcare professional who can help you determine the underlying cause of your insomnia and develop an appropriate treatment plan.

Can insomnia affect mental health?

Insomnia can have a significant impact on mental health, as it can contribute to the development or exacerbation of symptoms of anxiety and depression. Chronic sleep deprivation can also impair cognitive functioning and reduce overall quality of life. It is important to address insomnia in order to promote both physical and mental well-being.

Brainwave Entrainment involves the use of high-frequency light to entrain brainwave patterns and promote relaxation and sleep. This technique can help to regulate the limbic system, which includes the amygdala and hippocampus and promote a state of calmness and relaxation. Brainwave Entrainment may also involve using sound frequencies that correspond to specific brainwave patterns, such as theta or delta waves, which are associated with deep relaxation and sleep. The most effective form of Brainwave Entrainment for insomnia is light-based because it is light that regulates our sleep.

EMDR therapy is a form of psychotherapy that involves the use of eye movements, sounds, or taps to help individuals process traumatic memories and alleviate symptoms of trauma. This therapy can be helpful for addressing underlying trauma that may be contributing to insomnia. The amygdala, which is involved in processing emotions, can be targeted in EMDR therapy to help reduce stress and anxiety and promote relaxation and sleep.

TRE, or tension and trauma-releasing exercises, involves the use of simple physical movements and exercises to help individuals release tension and trauma stored in the body. This technique can help to regulate the limbic system and promote relaxation and sleep. TRE may involve exercises that target the psoas muscle, which is involved in the fight-or-flight response and can become chronically tense in response to stress and trauma.

Take A Tour Of Our Wellington Clinic

Our team offers a wide range of treatments, helping you to achieve your recovery goals. 

Our Team

Tobias Hall

DC BSc. Hons. IIst Nat. Dip. NZCA

Kade Christensen

BHSc. (Paramedicine) EMT, CERT. ST

Zabad Michael

DPT (Doctor of Physiotherapy)
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