Why Good Sleep Is Important
While we all have nights without good sleep, a continued pattern of sleep deprivation can have serious and cumulative effects- each night of poor rest compounds and worsens the condition. This can be known as chronic sleep deprivation, which is associated with a host of other issues. People suffering from this may have daytime fatigue, irritability, poor concentration, memory issues, and weak immune systems. Not only can this make thinking clearly and doing your job difficult, but cognitive delays can be dangerous when driving a car.
Chronic sleep deprivation is also associated with serious medical conditions, like stroke, seizures, heart attacks, high blood pressure, diabetes, depression, and anxiety. Your overall memory, judgment, and sex drive can also suffer.
Chiropractic Care for Better Sleep
There are a number of ways that regular chiropractic adjustments can help facilitate better sleep on a normal basis. Regular chiropractic care can lead to bodily changes that make sleep naturally easier, like easing muscle tension and relaxing the body. Pain and discomfort caused by misalignments may also be relieved and make deep sleep easier. Improved blood flow and central nervous system function can also improve sleep.
Visiting a chiropractor for regular adjustments can provide these benefits, as well as direct guidance on how to sleep better. Chiropractors can recommend optimal sleeping positions, mattresses, and ergonomic pillows that will help you get a good night’s rest. If you are struggling, you may be given a routine of postural exercises to improve your experience over time.
Sleep Disorders
Some of the most common sleep disorders have also been treated with chiropractic care with positive results.
The most common sleep disorder is insomnia, or difficulty falling and staying asleep, usually accompanied by a lack of enough sleep to feel rested. It is believed that insomnia is a combination of psychiatric and medical conditions, poor sleep habits, and lifestyle factors. But for some people, the root of insomnia can be an injury or condition that leads to chronic neck and back pain.
For those suffering from insomnia, a thorough investigation of the root causes is always important. In combination with other therapies, chiropractic care can reduce the impact of insomnia by performing targeted adjustments to correct spinal misalignments contributing to the discomfort.
Another common sleep disorder is sleep apnea, which is estimated to affect 22 million Americans. The most common form is obstructive sleep apnea, or OSA, in which soft tissues inside the throat and mouth relax too much during sleep, blocking the upper airway. This causes momentary apneas, periods without inhaling, several times during each hour of sleep.
Many of these apneas are long enough to lower blood-oxygen levels, which triggers the brain to wake up the body and resume breathing. Without treatment, this can lead to serious brain damage and other health issues.
Certain misalignments in the neck and upper spine may restrict respiration and contribute to the airway blockages in sleep apnea. Using soft tissue massage, a chiropractor can relax the muscles and reduce tension, promoting proper breathing. They may also recommend certain breathing exercises to strengthen the soft tissues that cause snoring and apnea.
If you believe you suffer from sleep apnea, a full sleep analysis and diagnosis will be important steps. Chiropractic care can be an integral part of managing symptoms and is often included as a sleep health treatment measure.
Treatment for Your Sleep Issues
Whether you are suffering from insomnia, sleep apnea, or simply don’t rest well, chiropractic care can help you find relief as part of your overall treatment. Regular adjustments at AICA Orthopedics can help you sleep better, longer, and more deeply. Your general health will contribute to the quality of your sleep, and your sleep can affect your health, and our holistic approach to care takes into account the whole picture. Reach out to us today to meet with our orthopedic doctors and chiropractors to develop the best plan for you and your sleep habits.
