Effect of Needling at Anmian I (Ex-8) and Anmian II (Ex-9) Acupuncture Points on Quality of Sleep in Insomnia: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

If you've ever struggled to fall asleep, stay asleep, or wake up feeling rested, you're not alone. Insomnia is one of the most common health complaints in the modern world, and many people are searching for alternatives to sleep medications. A new clinical study published in Medical Acupuncture explored whether acupuncture could help — and the results are encouraging.

Researchers focused on two specific acupuncture points called Anmian I (Ex-8) and Anmian II (Ex-9), located behind the ear in the neck region. These points are traditionally associated with calming the mind and promoting restful sleep. What made this study unique is that researchers tested these two points on their own, rather than as part of a broader acupuncture treatment.

One hundred adults between the ages of 18 and 40 with primary insomnia were randomly divided into two groups. One group received 10 acupuncture sessions over 10 days, each lasting 20 minutes. The other group simply continued their normal daily routine. Before and after the study period, participants were assessed using three widely recognized sleep measurement tools: the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, the Insomnia Severity Index, and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale.

The results were striking. The acupuncture group showed significant improvements across all three measures compared to the control group. Not only did participants sleep better and experience less severe insomnia, but they also reported feeling less drowsy during the day — a major quality-of-life benefit for anyone who has felt foggy or exhausted after a poor night's sleep.

This research suggests that even a targeted, simplified acupuncture protocol focusing on just these two points can make a meaningful difference for insomnia sufferers. If you're curious about trying acupuncture for sleep issues, speak with a licensed acupuncturist who can assess your individual needs and create a safe, personalized treatment plan.

This randomized controlled trial (n=100) investigated the isolated effect of needling Anmian I (Ex-8) and Anmian II (Ex-9) on primary insomnia, without adjunctive point combinations. Participants aged 18–40 with primary insomnia were allocated to either an acupuncture group (10 daily sessions, 20 min each) or a no-treatment control group. Validated outcome measures included the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). Post-intervention analysis demonstrated statistically significant improvements across all three indices in the acupuncture group versus controls (p<0.001). Notably, this protocol demonstrates that Ex-8 and Ex-9 alone — without additional point prescriptions — can produce clinically meaningful reductions in sleep latency/quality impairment, insomnia severity, and daytime somnolence. The findings support incorporating these extra points as a focused, evidence-informed component of insomnia protocols, particularly in patients where a minimal needling approach is preferred.