Insomnia

Insomnia Treatment & Sleep Health Solutions

Understanding Insomnia: When Sleep Won't Come

Insomnia affects millions of people worldwide, leaving them lying awake at night wondering why their body won't cooperate with their need for rest. If patients find themselves staring at the ceiling, watching the clock tick by, or waking up multiple times throughout the night, they're not alone—and more importantly, there's hope for better sleep ahead.

At Rebis, our multidisciplinary team understands that insomnia isn't just about having trouble falling asleep. It's a complex condition that affects every aspect of a person's health and wellbeing, from their immune system to their relationships. That's why we don't just treat symptoms—we uncover the root causes and create personalized treatment plans that address each patient's unique sleep challenges.

What Is Insomnia?

Insomnia is persistent difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking too early, despite having adequate opportunity and desire to sleep. Unlike occasional sleepless nights that everyone experiences, chronic insomnia occurs at least three times per week for three months or longer. This ongoing sleep disruption prevents the body from completing its essential nightly restoration processes.

When sleep is fragmented or inadequate, stress hormones like cortisol remain elevated throughout the night. This elevation disrupts the body's natural healing processes and prevents the brain from clearing metabolic waste through its unique nighttime cleaning cycle. The result is more than just fatigue—it's a cascade of health effects that impact every system in the body.

The Hidden Health Impact of Chronic Insomnia 

Many people don't realize how deeply sleep problems affect their overall health. Recent research has shown that chronic insomnia creates a domino effect throughout the body, contributing to conditions that might seem completely unrelated to sleep.

Cardiovascular Health Consequences

A comprehensive 2024 analysis confirmed that chronic insomnia significantly increases the risk of serious heart conditions. People with persistent sleep problems face higher rates of atrial fibrillation, heart attacks, and high blood pressure. The connection occurs because poor sleep keeps the cardiovascular system in a state of stress, never allowing it to fully rest and recover.

Metabolic and Weight Challenges

Sleep disruption throws off the delicate balance of hormones that control hunger and fullness. When people don't get enough quality sleep, their bodies produce more ghrelin (the hunger hormone) and less leptin (the fullness hormone). This hormonal imbalance makes it much harder to maintain a healthy weight and increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Mental Health and Cognitive Function

The brain uses sleep time to process emotions and consolidate memories. Without adequate rest, people often experience increased anxiety, depression, and difficulty concentrating. Many patients report feeling like they're living in a fog, struggling to make decisions or remember important information.

Immune System Suppression

Quality sleep is essential for a strong immune system. During deep sleep, the body produces infection-fighting cells and antibodies. People with chronic insomnia get sick more often and take longer to recover from illnesses.

The Rebis Approach: Beyond Quick Fixes

At Rebis Health, we believe that lasting solutions come from understanding each patient's unique story. Rather than simply prescribing sleep medications or offering generic advice, our team uses Dr. David McCarty's innovative Five Finger Approach to explore all possible contributors to sleep difficulties.

  • Every patient's journey begins with a thorough evaluation that goes far beyond asking "Do you have trouble sleeping?" Our sleep specialists examine five key areas that can impact sleep quality:

    Circadian Rhythm Analysis: We assess whether a patient's internal body clock is aligned with their desired sleep schedule. Many people struggle with sleep because their natural rhythm doesn't match their lifestyle demands.

    Medication and Substance Review: Our team carefully examines all medications, supplements, and substances that might interfere with sleep. Sometimes, medications prescribed for other conditions can paradoxically worsen sleep problems.

    Physical Health Factors: We look for underlying medical conditions that might disrupt sleep, including hormonal imbalances, chronic pain, or breathing difficulties.

    Sleep Environment and Behaviors: Our specialists evaluate sleep hygiene practices and environmental factors that might interfere with quality rest.

    Psychological and Stress Factors: We assess anxiety, depression, trauma, and stress levels that can keep the mind active when it should be winding down.

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I)

    CBT-I is considered the gold standard treatment for chronic insomnia. This structured program helps patients identify and change thoughts and behaviors that interfere with sleep. Our certified CBT-I specialists guide patients through proven techniques including:

    Sleep Restriction Therapy: This involves temporarily limiting time in bed to consolidate sleep and rebuild the association between bed and sleep.

    Stimulus Control Therapy: Patients learn to use their bed only for sleep and intimacy, strengthening the mental connection between their bedroom and rest.

    Cognitive Restructuring: Our therapists help patients identify and challenge worried thoughts about sleep that can keep them awake.

    Relaxation Training: Patients learn specific techniques to calm their mind and body before bedtime.

    Proactive Wind-Down Protocols

    We teach patients how to create effective pre-sleep routines that signal to their body that it's time to rest. These aren't generic suggestions—they're personalized protocols based on each patient's lifestyle, work schedule, and individual needs.

    Circadian Rhythm Optimization

    For patients whose internal clocks are misaligned with their desired sleep schedule, we offer carefully timed light therapy and chronotherapy programs. These interventions help reset the body's natural rhythm without relying on medications.

  • For patients seeking a comprehensive approach that addresses underlying health imbalances, our integrative medicine team offers advanced testing and natural treatment options.

    Advanced Laboratory Assessment

    Our functional medicine specialists may recommend specialized testing to identify hidden contributors to sleep problems:

    Comprehensive Hormone Panels: We assess cortisol rhythms, thyroid function, and reproductive hormones that can significantly impact sleep quality.

    Nutrient Status Analysis: Deficiencies in magnesium, vitamin D, B vitamins, and other nutrients can interfere with sleep regulation.

    Inflammatory Markers: Chronic inflammation can disrupt sleep patterns and prevent restorative rest.

    Gut Health Assessment: The gut-brain connection plays a crucial role in sleep regulation, and imbalances in gut bacteria can affect sleep quality.

    Natural Treatment Options

    Based on testing results, our integrative team may recommend targeted nutritional supplements, herbal medicines, or lifestyle interventions to address underlying imbalances. These approaches work alongside behavioral therapies to support the body's natural sleep processes.

  • Understanding that stress and physical tension often prevent quality sleep, we offer several complementary therapies:

    Craniosacral Therapy: This gentle, hands-on technique helps calm the nervous system and release physical tension that can interfere with sleep.

    Breathwork Training: Patients learn specific breathing techniques that activate the body's relaxation response.

    Mindfulness and Meditation: Our team teaches practical mindfulness skills that help quiet racing thoughts at bedtime.

Conditions We Treat with Airway-Focused Dentistry

One of the most important things patients learn at Rebis is how their sleep problems connect to other health challenges they may be experiencing. This understanding helps explain why addressing sleep often leads to improvements in seemingly unrelated symptoms.

Chronic Pain and Sleep

There's a bidirectional relationship between sleep and pain. Poor sleep lowers pain tolerance and increases inflammation, while chronic pain makes it harder to achieve deep, restorative sleep. Our multidisciplinary approach addresses both sides of this cycle.

Hormonal Health and Sleep Disruption

Sleep problems often worsen during major hormonal transitions like menopause, pregnancy, or andropause. Our team understands these connections and can provide targeted support during these challenging periods.

Digestive Health and Sleep Quality

Many patients don't realize that gut health significantly impacts sleep quality. Our integrative approach often includes strategies to support digestive health as part of comprehensive sleep improvement plans.

Advanced Sleep Testing When Needed

While many cases of insomnia can be addressed through behavioral and lifestyle interventions, some patients benefit from comprehensive sleep testing to rule out underlying sleep disorders that might masquerade as insomnia.

Home Sleep Testing

For patients who may have undiagnosed sleep-disordered breathing that's contributing to their insomnia, we offer convenient home sleep testing. This allows patients to be evaluated in their natural sleep environment.

Comprehensive Sleep Studies

When more detailed evaluation is needed, our sleep laboratory provides comprehensive overnight testing that can identify subtle sleep disorders that might be missed with simpler testing methods.

What Patients Can Expect from Treatment

Recovery from chronic insomnia takes time, but most patients begin seeing improvements within the first few weeks of treatment. Our approach focuses on sustainable, long-term solutions rather than quick fixes that might work temporarily but don't address underlying causes.

Timeline for Improvement:

  • Patients typically begin implementing new sleep hygiene practices and learning relaxation techniques. Some may notice initial improvements in how quickly they fall asleep.

  • As new habits become established and any underlying health imbalances are addressed, patients often experience more consolidated sleep and fewer middle-of-the-night awakenings.


  • Most patients achieve significant improvements in sleep quality and duration. Energy levels, mood, and cognitive function typically improve during this phase.


  • Patients develop confidence in their ability to maintain healthy sleep patterns and have tools to address any future sleep challenges that might arise.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • If sleep difficulties occur three or more nights per week for more than a month, or if daytime functioning is significantly impacted, it's time to seek professional evaluation. Many people struggle unnecessarily with sleep problems that can be effectively treated.

  • While medications can be helpful in certain situations, our goal is to help patients achieve quality sleep through sustainable, natural methods. Many patients find they can reduce or eliminate sleep medications as they develop better sleep skills and address underlying health factors.

  • Most patients begin noticing improvements within 2-3 weeks of starting CBT-I, with significant improvements typically occurring within 6-8 weeks. The benefits of CBT-I tend to be long-lasting because patients learn skills they can use throughout their lives.

  • While there's no single "cure" for insomnia, the vast majority of patients can achieve significant improvements in their sleep quality and duration. Many people go on to enjoy consistently good sleep for years after completing treatment.

  • Yes, sleep is often the first thing affected by stress. However, having good sleep skills and understanding how to support your sleep during challenging times can minimize the impact of stress on sleep quality.

  • Diet plays a significant role in sleep regulation. Our integrative medicine team can provide specific guidance on foods and eating patterns that support quality sleep, as well as identifying any dietary factors that might be interfering with rest.

  • Regular exercise can significantly improve sleep quality, but timing and intensity matter. Our team provides personalized guidance on how to use exercise as a tool for better sleep without accidentally interfering with rest.

  • Sometimes sleep disorders like sleep apnea can present as insomnia. Our comprehensive evaluation process can identify whether underlying sleep disorders are contributing to sleep difficulties, ensuring patients receive appropriate treatment.

  • While melatonin can be helpful in certain situations, it's not appropriate for everyone and doesn't address the root causes of chronic insomnia. Our team can provide guidance on whether melatonin might be beneficial as part of a comprehensive treatment plan.

  • Our multidisciplinary approach means we look at sleep problems from multiple angles—medical, behavioral, nutritional, and lifestyle factors. Rather than focusing solely on sleep medications or CPAP machines, we help patients understand and address the root causes of their sleep difficulties for lasting improvements.