How Chiropractic Care Can Contribute to Better Sleep
Having trouble falling asleep or staying asleep? You’re certainly not alone. The American Sleep Association (ASA) reports that a large number of people in the United States, between 50 to 70 million, deal with sleep issues. These problems can seriously disrupt your ability to get the rest you need for good health and feeling your best during the day.
It might be surprising to learn that chiropractors can assist with sleep problems. Studies have shown that regular visits to a chiropractor can make it easier for you to fall asleep, stay asleep, and improve both the quality and quantity of your sleep.
So, let’s explore how chiropractic care can significantly enhance your sleep quality and effectively address conditions such as insomnia and sleep apnea.
Consequences of Sleep Deprivation on Your Health
Short nights and health issues
Chronic sleep deprivation leads to various health problems. It causes daytime fatigue, irritability, and hampers concentration and reaction times. An impaired immune system and memory problems are also part of the package.
The dangers of cognitive delay
Lack of sleep can make you think slowly and react sluggishly, which can be dangerous, especially when driving or at work.
The snowball effect
Sleep deprivation has a cumulative effect, making things worse with each restless night. Over time, this increases your risk of serious medical conditions like stroke, heart attack, and more.
Beyond physical health
It’s not just your physical health that suffers; sleep deprivation also affects your performance at work or school, memory, judgment, and even your sex drive.
How Chiropractic Care Can Help With Sleep
Chiropractic care can promote better sleep by addressing muscle tension, relaxation, pain relief, circulation, and central nervous system function through specific techniques.
Easing Muscle Tension: Chiropractors employ techniques like spinal adjustments to ease muscle tension, a common cause of restlessness during sleep.
Relaxing the Body: Chiropractic techniques, including spinal manipulation, help relax the body, making it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep.
Relieving Pain and Discomfort: Chiropractic treatments can alleviate pain and discomfort that may otherwise disrupt your sleep.
Stimulating Circulation: Techniques like spinal adjustments and mobilization promote better circulation and blood flow, enhancing overall well-being and sleep quality.
Improving Central Nervous System Function: Chiropractic care supports improved central nervous system function through specific adjustments, aiding in achieving more restful sleep.
After a comprehensive assessment, an experienced chiropractor can offer guidance on improving your sleeping position, suggest posture-enhancing exercises, recommend a suitable mattress, and advise on using an ergonomic pillow for a better night’s sleep.
How Chiropractors Can Assist with Insomnia and Sleep Apnea
Insomnia – characterized by difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, and feeling refreshed in the morning, can be attributed to various factors such as psychological issues, unhealthy sleep habits, or substance use. However, there’s another often-overlooked aspect – physical discomfort. Chronic neck and back pain are among the culprits that can disrupt your sleep.” It’s clear and concise.
If you’re looking for solutions to manage insomnia symptoms, the first step is a thorough evaluation to pinpoint the root cause of your sleep troubles. Chiropractic care, when combined with other therapeutic approaches, can significantly improve your sleep disorder.
Chiropractors employ precise adjustments to correct spinal misalignments, known as subluxations. These adjustments, using high-velocity, low-amplitude manipulation, target areas of joint dysfunction. The best part? It’s a drug-free therapy that not only eases pain but also enhances your sleep quality. Patients who opt for chiropractic care experience immediate relief from pain and a noticeable sense of muscle relaxation.
Sleep Apnea – the most common form of sleep disorder, occurs when the soft tissues in the mouth and throat relax during sleep, causing a blockage in the upper airway. This condition leads to brief pauses in breathing, known as apneas, happening multiple times per hour during sleep. These apneas can last for 10 to 20 seconds, causing a drop in blood oxygen levels. When the brain detects this drop, it wakes up the body to resume normal breathing. This cycle can repeat more than 30 times in an hour, preventing a restful night’s sleep. If left untreated, Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) can lead to oxygen deprivation, potentially causing brain damage and contributing to various other serious health issues.
Chiropractic therapy targets subluxations and misalignments in the neck and upper body, which can result from injuries, poor posture, or a sedentary lifestyle. The objective is to correct these misalignments that may restrict breathing or contribute to airway obstructions. Chiropractors employ techniques such as soft tissue massage and spinal adjustments to relax muscles, alleviate tension, and encourage proper breathing. They may also recommend breathing exercises to support healthy breathing habits while strengthening the soft tissues responsible for snoring and apneas.
In summary, chiropractic care isn’t only about spinal health – it’s about ensuring that you get the restful, rejuvenating sleep you need. Whether you’re battling Sleep Apnea, insomnia, restless leg syndrome, or other sleep issues, chiropractic care is a holistic approach to achieving better sleep and overall well-being.
