Snoring is problematic on many levels. Not only does it disrupt the snorer’s sleep, but it also disrupts anyone else sleeping in the same bed or same room. As for having a spouse, partner, or roommate that snores, it can be very frustrating! Ear plugs aren’t always a satisfactory solution, and sometimes there’s no choice but to sleep somewhere else. This situation can be very disruptive to the relationship, whether it’s between roommates or spouses.
Anti Snoring Devices
There are a number of anti snoring devices that claim to cure the problem of snoring, some simple and non-invasive, and some extreme and invasive. Countless solutions to snoring have been promoted over the centuries, including sleep posture correction, homeopathic remedies, throat sprays, nasal dilation strips and sprays, correction of mouth breathing, mouth guards, Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machines, soft palate implants, palate stiffening by scarring, radio frequency tissue reduction, uvulopalatoplasty surgery, hypnosis, and aromatherapy. In the U.S., the Patent and Trademark Office lists nearly 900 patented devices designed to alleviate snoring.
For the past several years there has been a silver acupressure ring that is sold as a holistic approach to snoring. Based on the theories of eastern medicine, using the principles of Tuina (which is pronounced “Twee-na”), a healing art that has been practiced in Asia for over 3,000 years. Tuina is based on the application of pressure to the meridian lines flowing through the human body.
In traditional Chinese medicine, health is a matter of the flow of energy, or “chi” throughout the body. When the flow of chi is blocked or interrupted, illness may be the result. Acupressure and acupuncture are based on the theory of unblocking a body’s chi by stimulating exact points along the 14 meridians, or channels of energy, that flow through the body. When the points are pressed steadily, the pressure can promote the flow of energy to the body that is diseased or causing discomfort, allowing more readily available natural healing. Acupuncture involves stimulation with needles, but acupressure uses only hand pressure to restore the balance of chi.
Anti Snore Ring
The anti snore ring is based on the concept of acupressure. An anti snore ring is a sterling silver ring that is worn on the little finger of either the left or the right hand. Rather than being a plain silver ring, it has two smooth protrusions on the inside of the ring to press on the “heart” meridian flowing through the little finger. Putting gentle pressure on this meridian line is said to help the flow of energy and make the spirit calm. Anti snore rings are touted as a combination of the ancient and the modern, and are not recommended for wearing all the time. According to sellers of anti snore rings, they should only be worn for sleep.
Surveys of the practice in the UK showed that 80% of snorers reported a significant reduction in snoring. Some 60% claimed that the anti snore ring stopped snoring altogether. For those who reported an effect, almost all said that the effect became apparent after only two or three days. Participants reportedly especially liked that the ring made a difference without surgery or drugs. All that is involved in using an anti snore ring is placing it on the little finger and gently squeezing the sides to give a snug, but comfortable fit. They come in several adjustable sizes, so people with large or small pinkie fingers can easily find one to fit. It should be placed at the base of the little finger with the acupressure bumps pressing on the outer side of the finger between the first joint and the knuckle.
Men reportedly find the best benefit of the anti snore ring when it is worn on the right hand, while women report better results when the ring is worn on the left hand. Some people who are especially heavy snorers have reported better results after placing one of the acupressure rings on both little fingers.
The two bumps on the inside of the anti snore ring are said to press on the heart meridian while the sterling silver metal provides energy to this meridian at the same time. When people wear the anti snore ring, the therapeutic energy flow to what is known as the “upper jiao” is increased. The upper jiao comes from the heart and lungs. Better flow through this channel is said to result in improved breathing, resulting in reduced or eliminated snoring.
Anecdotal reports exist of people who have unsuccessfully tried more invasive snoring treatments like laser surgery or shock bracelets that are activated by snoring, but who later reported relief using an anti snore ring. An Australian named John Woodley invented the ring several years ago in an attempt to use acupressure to relieve pain that resulted from a car accident. He had read that acupressure applied to the heart meridian in the left little finger could relieve pain. The story goes that the ring did not help his pain, but unexpectedly stopped his snoring. Hundreds of thousands of the rings have been sold in Japan, Australia, and North America.
Sellers of Anti Snore Rings
Online sellers of anti snore rings include snorenomore, a site that sells the rings for US$44.95. Here are some other companies that sell anti snore rings, along with their prices:
nosnor sells the rings for AU$49.95, roughly equivalent to US$44.20
stopsnor has anti snore rings for US$49.95
pulsepharmacy sells the rings for AU$39.95, roughly equivalent to US$35.30
chemistdirect has a copper version for £7.49, approximately US11.97
Sleep Apnea (Apnoea)
While there is probably no harm in using an anti snore ring, it is wise for anyone with problematic snoring to be evaluated medically to learn if they have a condition called sleep apnea. Sleep apnea sometimes accompanies snoring, and is a condition where the person stops breathing periodically throughout the night. He or she will then wake with a start in order to begin breathing again. Sleep apnea can be a dangerous condition, and there have been deaths attributed to it. Not all snorers have sleep apnea, but enough of them do that a medical evaluation is a good idea for those with chronic snoring.
The website bottomlinesecrets, asked two practitioners of traditional eastern medicine their opinion on the anti snore ring. Both were skeptical. Yi Hung Chan, DPM, LAc, a practitioner with a private clinic in West Orange, New Jersey suggested that side-sleep pillows would be a better investment for snorers because it prevents them from rolling onto their backs. Another eastern practitioner, Jeffrey Zimmerman, OMD, an expert in acupuncture, questioned whether the rings would put the proper pressure on the acupoints, because their precise location varies from person to person. Both practitioners pointed out that for acupressure to be effective, a proper diagnosis is required first.
A number of lifestyle factors contribute to snoring. For example, poor diet that causes obesity is a major factor in snoring. Lack of physical fitness is another. Other lifesyle factors like drinking alcohol contribute to snoring, as does smoking cigarettes. Some people have chronic sinus drainage or digestive troubles that cause sleep problems.
Though the utility of anti snore rings is debatable, they are, like many anti snoring devices, probably harmless at worst, unless they prevent the diagnosis of sleep apnea. The best cure for snoring is to find out its cause in the first place. Many lifestyle factors like weight, drinking, and smoking are controllable, and non-lifestyle medical issues can be addressed too.
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