Septic tank plan may boost local housing schemes
Lake District National Park Authority (LDNPA) said the local planning authorities in Cumbria wanted to fund the replacement of the ageing tanks so that it would lead to less phosphorus pollution into local water bodies.
High levels of the nutrients can lead to a dramatic growth in algae and deplete oxygen levels.
It said the move could help stimulate local housing projects which have stalled due to nutrient mitigation rules.
In a document detailing the plans, LDNPA said modern package treatment plants discharge less phosphorus into water bodies than many of the existing septic tanks in the area.
By funding the replacement of these tanks with package treatment plants, LDNPA said the phosphorus savings could be used to generate "nutrient credits" that could be sold to housing developers in the region.
It said local housing schemes in Cumbria had stalled because developers could not mitigate the nutrient pollution the new homes would cause to four water catchments in the area as part of nutrient mitigation rules brought in 2022.
The credits generated by the replacement package treatment plants could be used for this mitigation, it said.
LDNPA said it had been given government funding to develop the mitigation schemes.
As part of these plans, next week the authority will discuss proposals to remove the need for residents to seek planning permission before they replace a septic tank with a package treatment plant.
"We want to make the process of replacing tanks to be as seamless as possible given the environmental benefits of upgrading," it said.
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Dr. Parker says it can support sleep "by calming the nervous system, easing physical tension, and regulating the underlying organ systems that influence rest." She notes that the best combination of acupressure points for sleep depends on what the individual is experiencing and that a personal point prescription would then be selected to "to support the patient and the present symptoms, like insomnia and restlessness." However, she shares the following common points and how they work from a traditional Chinese medicine perspective: "Shenmen (HT7 – Heart 7): Located on the wrist crease, this point is often used for insomnia, anxiety and emotional restlessness. It calms the Shen (spirit), helping to settle racing thoughts and reduce overactivity of the Heart system, which in TCM can disturb sleep." "Yintang ('Third Eye'): Found between the eyebrows, this point is deeply calming and is known to relieve stress, quiet the mind and support melatonin production through relaxation of the pineal and hypothalamic areas." "Anmian ('Peaceful Sleep'): A lesser-known but effective point located behind the ear, Anmian is used specifically for sleep disturbances, helping to ground the nervous system and encourage deeper, more sustained rest." "Sanyinjiao (SP6 – Spleen 6): Located on the inner lower leg, this point supports hormonal regulation and helps harmonize the Spleen, Liver, and Kidney systems. These organs play key roles in emotional regulation and sleep according to TCM." 2. Reduces stress and anxiety Anxiety can mean that worries, racing thoughts and restlessness make it particularly hard to fall asleep. Lai says that one of the common causes of sleeplessness is stress and anxiety, and points to a systematic review and meta-analysis of research which showed acupressure can significantly reduce anxiety. Acupressure can significantly reduce anxiety "Studies suggest that acupressure and acupuncture work in similar ways by encouraging the body to release neurotransmitters such as endorphins and serotonin," says Dr. Parker. "both of which are mood elevators and play a major role in sleepregulation via the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis," she explains. "Acupressure may also be increasing parasympathetic nervous activity, the rest-and-digest part of our nervous system which takes the body away from being in the sympathetic nervous system state, the fight-or-flight response," Lai adds. She says that these calming, anxiety-reducing effects of acupressure can help sleep by improving both sleep latency, and sleep duration. 2. Helps to ease insomnia Those who have experienced either short-term (several days or weeks) or chronic insomnia (lasting three months or more), know that it doesn't just interfere with your sleep. It can also cause issues including irritability, fatigue and problems with focus the next day. But research shows that acupressure may be a tool you can include to combat it. One study compared the effect of acupressure on those with insomnia, with 200 participants divided into a group who were taught self-administered acupressure, and a group who were given sleep hygiene education. They found that those who had learned acupressure had improved Insomnia Severity Index scores after both four weeks and eight weeks, compared to the other group. Auricular acupressure, which focuses on pressure points on the ear, has been shown in a number of studies to help with insomnia. One review of studies looking at how effective auricular acupressure is as a treatment for insomnia concluded that, "the effects of auricular acupressure on insomnia are comparable to those of estazolam," which is a medication used short-term for treating insomnia. And while Dr. Parker noted above that acupressure be used to help with sleep issues like insomnia, she also explains that, "lack of sleep/insomnia is often a symptom of an underlying imbalance." "There are also lifestyle factors and habits that should be addressed to support a restful nights sleep (examples include limiting screen time before bed, limit caffeine after 3pm in the afternoon, eliminate noises and lights in the bedroom, try to go to bed at a regular time each night etc)," she explains. 3. Can help with hormonal changes affecting sleep "Sleep problems can also be associated with hormonal changes and studies have demonstrated that acupressure can be effective for improving sleep in these patient populations," says Lai. A huge number of women experiencing menopause have issues with their sleep. In fact, 2023 research noted that across the world, sleep and menopause effects the lives of about a third of women. Lai suggests that acupressure may be one way to help tackle this, explaining that, "acupressure has shown in recent trials to significantly improve sleep quality in menopausal women." A trial published in the Iranian Journal of Medical Sciences, found that "acupressure alone can improve sleep quality at a rate of 22% in menopausal women by massage on the effective points," and concluded that it "can be used as a complementary treatment to relieve sleep disorders in menopausal women." In addition, Lai says that "Studies have indicated that acupressure impacts hormone-related sleep problems through decreasing levels of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) as well as through increasing levels of oestradiol." "These in turn improve sleep quality related to hormonal conditions, but also in other symptoms such as hot flushes and fatigue," she explains. How to try acupressure for sleep at home If you're interested in exploring acupressure and want some simple options that you can try out from the ease of your home, Dr. Parker suggests the following. "Finger pressure massage: Apply gentle, circular pressure to key points like HT7 (wrist), Yintang (forehead), or SP6 (inner leg) for 1–2 minutes each, preferably in the evening before bed." "Acupressure mats: These mats use small spikes to stimulate multiple points along the back and shoulders. Lying on one for 10–20 minutes can help reduce muscular tension and promote parasympathetic nervous system activation—ideal for winding down." "Partner massage: Light massage focusing on the neck, shoulders, and feet can activate calming points. Adding lavender oil or calming music can enhance the effect." "Breathing with pressure: Combine acupressure with slow, deep breathing to amplify relaxation. Inhale deeply, press a calming point (like Yintang), and exhale slowly." Acupressure mats like the Shakti mat and Pranamat have become popular options to try at home, and both promise to help improve your sleep after just 20 minutes use. Pranamat even cites stats from Dr. Marek Dvořák's sleep tracker, which show that after using the Pranamat 20 minutes before sleep, his REM sleep increased by 2%, deep sleep increased by 7% and light sleep was reduced by 10%. Lai also shares the one piece of advice given to every patient in her practice experiencing sleep issues: "Utilise acupressure wristbands to stimulate Nei Guan (Pericardium 6). Whilst this acupoint is widely known for nausea and vomiting, it is also used frequently in traditional acupuncture for sleeplessness as well as for stress and anxiety," she says. This pressure point is found between the two tendons ont he inner aspect of the forearm, three finger widths below the wrist crease. Is acupressure suitable for everyone? It's important to consult your doctor if you are experiencing pain or a medical condition, however, Lai and Dr. Parker agree that acupressure is, in general, very safe for most people. "Basic self-acupressure can be safely carried out in specific circumstances such as with acupressure wristbands for nausea and vomiting," Lai says. But she notes that, "for face, body or ear acupuncture and for more complex conditions, this is safest and most effective when carried out by a TCM practitioner who is registered with an appropriate acupuncture professional body." "If you are actively under the care of a doctor or consultant for a medical condition, you should always seek their advice prior to using acupressure," she explains. It's important that certain patient groups such as children, pregnant women and the elderly should check with their doctor before using acupressure for their health concerns.
