Book your Acupuncture at Shift Brisbane here.
Quality sleep is essential for overall health and helps to prevent a range of medical conditions, yet, more than half of Australian adults experience chronic sleep issues, impacting their ability to lead a happy and healthy life.
Many people experiencing sleep problems and insomnia symptoms will turn to doctors for treatment and are prescribed sedative-hypnotics, such as benzodiazepines. While they induce sleep, these medications can cause other health issues and have side effects such as drowsiness, dizziness, and digestive issues, making achieving overall wellbeing and health challenging.
Thankfully, there are other effective treatment options: acupuncture therapy and Chinese medicine. At The Shift Clinic Brisbane, we frequently help clients struggling with sleep disorders and insomnia symptoms using these therapies.
Book your Acupuncture at Shift Brisbane here.
Acupuncture techniques we use to help treat sleep disorders & insomnia
In Chinese medicine, insomnia reflects an imbalance between Yin and Yang, the two fundamental forces governing the body’s natural rhythms. Yin, associated with coolness, nourishment, and rest, dominates the night, while Yang, linked to warmth, energy, and activity, rules the day. When this balance is disrupted, the body struggles to transition between wakefulness and sleep, leading to insomnia. Acupuncture works to restore this harmony by rebalancing Yin and Yang, calming the mind, and relaxing the body—creating the foundation for deep, restorative sleep.
Clinical studies support acupuncture as an effective treatment for insomnia and chronic pain related insomnia. This systematic review of forty-six randomized controlled trials found that those in the acupuncture group with or without medications to assist sleep had improved sleep patterns, better sleep efficiency and the authors concluded that acupuncture was effective in the treatment of primary insomnia. Many of our patients report having a better nights sleep after their acupuncture appointment.
Our acupuncture treatment process for sleep disorders
At our Brisbane clinic, our acupuncturists use traditional diagnostic techniques, including pulse and tongue analysis, to assess your health and identify underlying causes of your sleep problems and/or insomnia. Treatment involves the insertion of thin needles at specific acupuncture points to restore balance, alleviate pain and promote better health. We then use specific points to work on balancing systems. Improving sleep involves more than just working on the primary insomnia - a holistic approach with acupuncture works best.
Acupuncture has been shown to:
Increase melatonin and serotonin levels, regulating sleep cycles.
Boost nitric oxide production, supporting brain function and relaxation.
Improve blood circulation and reduce sympathetic nervous system activity, calming the body.
Adjust brain chemistry to promote relaxation and reduce tension.
In addition to acupuncture, our practitioners may recommend Chinese herbal medicine and dietary adjustments to enhance treatment outcomes. This holistic approach ensures that sleep disturbances are addressed at their root rather than just managing symptoms. Jarrah also uses techniques such as cupping, gua sha and moxibustion alongside acupuncture.
Why choose Shift for insomnia acupuncture in Brisbane?
Our clinic is a place of healing and support and our experienced acupuncturists provide expert care in a supportive environment. Our team has extensive experience treating sleep disorders with a holistic approach tailored to each individual.
We offer:
Flexible appointment times, Monday to Friday 8am - 7pm
Easy street or onsite parking
Instant health fund rebates via HICAPS
1-1 Treatments in our gorgeous Brisbane sanctuary
Book your Acupuncture at Shift Brisbane here.
What to expect from your first insomnia Acupuncture session at our Brisbane clinic
An initial acupuncture appointment is $135 and follow up appointments are $125. This includes a full assessment of your sleep disorder and other symptoms, on-the-table treatment and dietary suggestions.
Please arrive 10 minutes before your appointment to enjoy a cup of tea and settle in before your session.
Your treatment will be with Jarrah Crabtree, a Bachelor-qualified Brisbane acupuncturist with a wealth of clinical experience in treating many patients with stress, sleep issues and insomnia, including chronic pain-related insomnia.
During your first acupuncture session, Jarrah will conduct a Traditional Chinese Medicine diagnosis using gentle techniques such as pulse and tongue analysis. Acupuncture treatments are designed to be comfortable and relaxing and thin needles are used for maximum comfort. of course, we only use sterile needles and follow strict hygiene practices at Shift Brisbane.
Jarrah takes a holistic approach to insomnia treatment, sometimes incorporating massage, cupping, moxibustion, and other traditional Chinese medicine techniques. Treatment is tailored to the specific type of insomnia and may also include herbal medicine, dietary adjustments, and lifestyle modifications.
After your initial consultation at The Shift Clinic Brisbane Jarrah will recommend a plan of action for ongoing care based on your first session and what will be best for your recovery and ongoing management of insomnia symptoms and sleep problems.
Once the treatment is completed, we will gently remove the needles and then talk about your personalised acupuncture treatment plan so you have a clear roadmap for improving your sleep and overall well-being. Other therapies may be recommended with other members of our team if it will help you get your sleep disturbances sorted out faster.
At Shift, education is a key part of what we do. Beyond acupuncture, we may recommend additional therapies or lifestyle changes to further support your sleep health.
What our clients say...
Megan Usher2024-03-27Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I can’t speak highly enough of Katherine and her team. Since my husband and I have been seeing Katherine, our physical and mental health has rapidly improved. Which has impacted our relationships and the general mood of our household. I have personally seen many doctors for my symptoms, but it wasn’t until I started to see Katherine that I truly began to understand my body and start the healing process. I have experienced a dramatic improvement after taking the herbal medicines. My husband had been told by every doctor and specialist that he was totally healthy, and yet he was severely struggling with his symptoms. Katherine was able to identify the reasons for his symptoms very quickly, and he too has experienced a big improvement. I know we still have a way to go, and changing habits can take time. But we are so grateful to have found the Shift Clinic and to finally feel like we are getting somewhere with our health. Katherine’s podcast ‘The Shift with Katherine Maslen’ is also an eye opener and very informative! I have learned so much about the women’s body through listening. Di Bailey2024-01-29Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. My daughter referred me to Vanessa Coben as I was experiencing gut issues and was unable to detect or remedy my problems. Vanessa advised me to take on challenges in gut testing and bloods to determine the direction I needed. Vanessa's regular appointments, diagnosis and herbal formulas have exhalted my confidence in a healthy gut. Vanessa is professional, caring, understanding and a very gentle soul. I recommend her to anyone experiencing same problems as I had. I also recommend Shift at Brisbane Natural Health as their staff and administration are warm and friendly inviting a welcoming atmosphere to clients. All the best to everyone at Shift. Michon van Staden2024-01-12Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Katherine and the team at The Shift Clinic were super supportive, friendly and welcoming. After 6 months of treatment with Katherine, my energy is back and my immunity is stronger! Vicki Machan2023-10-22Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I stumbled across Katherine Maslen and her aptly named Shift Clinic through a podcast by Shelly Craft of The Aging Project. Katherine spoke with passion about gut health, which was an area I have struggled with for over a decade. I looked her up and booked an appointment for an assessment and couldn’t get there fast enough ! I was excited and confident that this time I was going to see a change. I wasn’t wrong. The most amazing thing about the Shift Clinic is their team, who are embracing and supportive and work as a collaborative unit. I was ‘project managed’ through months of healing, both physically and holistically. I was introduced to a form of ‘therapy’ I’d never even considered when I met Jess, the clinics Intuitive Healer, who helped me unpack and resolve some personal issues that were roadblocking my emotional progression forward. This complemented my gut healing progress that was being managed so well by both Katherine and Vanessa. I would never have found Jess if not for Katherine, or entertained the idea of something so ‘left field’ for me. The whole experience of being with Shift has been healing, nurturing and uplifting. I’ve progressed on a physical and spiritual level, they’ve educated me on myself, and the team are now an integral part of my life I won’t be leaving behind. I enjoy immersing myself in the tranquility of the clinic, the genuine warmth of the girls at reception when I arrive, the soft music, the herbal tea brewing. It’s like a big, warm hug. I can’t thank them enough or recommend them to enough people. They have changed my life ! Nicole Ann2023-07-28Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. There probably isn't enough space to write the long review that Katherine and the whole team at The Shift Clinic truly deserve but I'll start with this. You saved my life. Words will never be enough to express how grateful myself and my family are for the journey that I continue to be on with my healing and growth. The Shift membership is one of the best health models on offer in the world and when things were incredibly dark at my lowest, I was able to receive the help needed from all of my practitioners at the clinic who all knew my history at every appointment without having to continually tell my story from the beginning. It is so beneficial as a patient that all of you work together to heal people. Not only have you all helped lead me towards the light of health, you've been giving me the tools needed to understand how to grow and heal myself. The added bonus I wasn't expecting is how I'm now healing my own home too. The work you all do is changing lives. Thank you for changing mine. I am eternally grateful. Xx Steven Creevey2023-04-18Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I started seeing Shift during the Covid pandemic and I was struggling with my overall health. I found the team to be very supportive and focused on the job of assessment, ongoing regular support and providing me with the best supplements and advice for my various health challenges. Thank you Shift and Vanessa for all of your help and guidance. Brendan Vasen2022-12-09Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Katherine is wonderful and helped me get on the right track with my diet and healthy eating definitely Recommend Izzy Tanzer2022-12-05Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I couldn’t recommend The Shift clinic and especially Dr Vanessa. After being diagnosed with an auto-immune disease my body felt like it was crashing and I needed help. I would not be where I am today without the help from Dr Vanessa and the knowledge she has passed onto me. She made the process easier and was always there for support when I needed it. The clinic is such a beautiful space and you feel calm as soon as you walk in. The receptionists were always so lovely and helpful and explained the membership process easily. Thank you so much Shift Team x Cath 712022-07-04Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. It would be fair to say that the last two years, in particular, have been a challenge for me personally. After battling with any number of illnesses over a long period of time, my partner of six years entered a period of rapidly declining health and was deemed a multimorbidity patient. As a result, our planned wedding happened much quicker than expected & I gave up my job to become his full-time carer before he passed away. During his decline my sole focus was him, in some ways to the detriment of my own health and whilst I acknowledge that grief played a major part in some of my weight gain, I also know that I’d developed bad habits over many years; snacking, emotional eating, convenience eating, living a mostly sedentary lifestyle to name just a few. If the loss of my husband taught me anything it is that life is too short and that our health matters! I needed to find something to help me rediscover joy in my life and to help me feel like my old self again. Following a personal recommendation and some google research of my own I came across The Shift Clinic. Having always been an advocate of natural therapies I thought this could be just what I needed to help me find my way back to lightness – physically and emotionally. I joined the 8-week weight loss challenge and I’ve not looked back. My appointments with Hypnotherapist, Rebecca and Naturopath & Nutritionist, Carolyn have provided me with the tools to; identify self-sabotaging behaviours, acknowledge all parts of me, start small, set realistic and achievable goals, feel supported, get back up when I fall, move – even if it’s only for 10 mins at a time, celebrate small wins, stick to the plan and remember that anything is possible. 8-weeks down the track I’m just under 10kg lighter physically. I’ve still got more weight to lose but for the first time in a long time, I know I’ll achieve it because the biggest ‘shift’ for me has been in how I think and how I feel, the routines & rituals I’ve put in place and the way I speak to myself. The Shift Clinic really can help you ‘shift’ you just have to be willing to let it.
Ready to book? Book online here.
Our expert team of acupuncturists in Brisbane that specialises in treating insomnia & sleep disorders
Acupuncturist and Doctor of Chinese Medicine

Georgie Smith
Acupuncturist and Doctor of Chinese Medicine
I'm here to help
Ask me a question
Acupuncturist and Doctor of Chinese Medicine

Jarrah Crabtree
Acupuncturist and Doctor of Chinese Medicine
I'm here to help
Ask me a question
Book your Acupuncture at Shift Brisbane here.
Insomnia Acupuncture FAQs.
Acupuncture treatment is a cumulative therapy that builds over time. While many clients feel the effects of acupuncture after their first treatment, significant changes in sleep quality and sleep efficiency typically develop within 4-8 sessions. The Sleep Foundation recommends allowing 2 months to start seeing meaningful changes in insomnia symptoms, including fewer wake-ups during the night and increased total sleep time.
There are hundreds of acupuncture points that may be used, though common acupuncture points for sleep disorders and insomnia include areas on the wrist, behind the ear, and the inner ankle. However, the exact points used depend on your unique condition and health needs.
Yes – you can claim your acupuncture for insomnia appointment through our HICAPS machine on the spot at our Brisbane clinic.
Not at all! We use ultra-thin Japanese-style needles designed for comfort, ensuring a relaxing experience. Many clients even feel so relaxed that they fall asleep during treatment.
Call us on 07 3367 0337 to make your appointment or book online here.
Book your Acupuncture at Shift Brisbane here.
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