It can be overwhelmingly frustrating when you can’t get a good night’s sleep. Among the many sleep disorders, insomnia is the most common with roughly 1 in 3 adults experiencing symptoms. About 10% to 16% of the world’s population suffers from a diagnosable, chronic insomnia disorder. In this article, we define insomnia, outline what it looks like, and discuss what you can do about it, including a new evidence-based treatment that’s already helping Haligonians sleep better.

What is insomnia?

Insomnia is characterized by the persistent inability to fall asleep, stay asleep, or get restful sleep, despite having the time and environment to do so. It often drains energy and affects mood, health, and work performance. Causes of insomnia often include stress, poor sleep habits, the wrong food choices, hormonal changes, chronic pain, and health challenges such as sleep apnea, anxiety, and depression. It can also be a side effect of some medications.

Many people with insomnia go to bed and lay awake for hours before finally falling asleep. Others fall asleep relatively quickly only to wake up frequently through the night, or wake up too early unable to get back to sleep. Some people sleep for the recommended 7-9 hours, but still wake up feeling drained, and others have a combination of these sleep troubles.

It takes a toll on your health and quality of life when you don’t sleep well over the course of weeks, months, or years. It’s typical to become irritable, dejected, and exhausted on a regular basis. Without restorative sleep, your body creates inflammation and doesn’t repair easily. It also accentuates the experience of pain, and you become more susceptible to illnesses like colds and flus. While mental illness can lead to insomnia, insomnia can also lead to mental illness including anxiety and depression.

How to manage insomnia

There are several things you can do to improve your sleep. Something that everyone should do is practice good sleep hygiene. Basic sleep hygiene rules include going to bed and waking up at the same time each day, using the bedroom only for sleep and intimacy, and putting screens away at least one hour before bed. This readies your brain and body for good sleep.

Some people don’t realize that sleep apnea can be an underlying problem causing poor sleep. This is a potentially serious disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts while you sleep. It prevents you from getting enough oxygen and interrupts restorative sleep, leaving you chronically tired even after a full night in bed. If you suspect that sleep apnea is an underlying problem, it’s important to speak to a primary care provider about next steps.

Probably the most common line of defense against insomnia is the occasional use of sleeping medication. While this can help short-term sufferers feel better, it often doesn’t address the root issue, and it can come with risks such as long-term dependency and drug interactions. There can also be side effects including next-day grogginess, dizziness, and cognitive impairment.

The medical community holds Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) in high regard for many things, including insomnia (CBTi). A common criticism, however, is that it requires hard work with strict adherence to sleep schedules. It also takes steady practice and time. Even after CBT, many people still don’t sleep well enough.

Exomind TMS is an exciting new treatment for insomnia. This drug-free solution is emerging as a highly effective treatment, even for people who have tried everything else. Patients typically enjoy better sleep within 1 to 2 weeks after starting treatment.

Exomind TMS for insomnia

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a method of stimulating the neurons in the brain using gentle magnetic energy. It enhances neural pathways that may have stopped working optimally to improve brain function and health. Approved by Health Canada and the FDA, it’s best known as a treatment for medication-resistant depression. However, advances in technology and research show that TMS can also be an effective treatment for insomnia.

Exomind is an optimized TMS device with a specific protocol for treating insomnia and improving sleep. It’s like a reset for the brain without pain, memory loss, or long-term side effects. The program is supervised by a psychiatrist (medical doctor and mental health expert) at Body Works Med Spa & Wellness.

“It’s powerful enough to change the brain, but safe and convenient enough to fit into real life,” says Dr. Christine McClelland. “The initial research is impressive, and many of our patients describe their sleep improvements as life-changing,” the psychiatrist adds. In addition to better sleep, patients enjoy improved mood, mental clarity, and emotional balance.

In general, patients are surprised at how easy it is to do Exomind TMS. Most find the 20 to 25-minute treatments comfortable and there is no downtime before or after treatments. Body Works is the only Exomind TMS provider in Atlantic Canada.

The team at Body Works has been working hard to improve access to this emerging insomnia treatment. The program accepts self-referrals as well as doctor’s referrals, and there are no lengthy wait times. Treatment plans are often tax-deductible and financing is available.

Is Exomind TMS right for you?

For more information about Exomind TMS, contact Body Works for a free in-person or virtual free consultation. Call 902-405-0858, email info@bodyworksmedspa.ca, or click here to book online. A representative will help determine if Exomind TMS is a fit.

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