Did you know that there are around 50 to 70 million Americans living with a sleep disorder in the United States? Having issues with falling or staying asleep can have a negative impact on your overall health and well-being. There are several options to get better sleep, such as buying a supportive mattress and pillow, taking sleep medications, maintaining a bedtime routine, or using natural remedies like massage or aromatherapy. Chiropractic is another all-natural method to improve your quality of sleep and treat certain sleep disorders. Keep reading to take a look at how you can achieve better sleep with this holistic care.
Get Better Sleep
The National Sleep Foundation reports that almost one-third of people that receive chiropractic adjustments experience an immediate improvement to their quality of sleep. Since getting enough restful sleep is crucial for lasting health and wellness, it’s no surprise that better sleep is a top benefit of chiropractic adjustments.
For patients living with sleep issues, some of the benefits of receiving regular chiropractic adjustments include:
- Improving the nervous system’s functions
- Promoting blood circulation and blood flow
- Reducing muscle tension that can cause restlessness at night
- Relaxing the body and mind
Aside from receiving adjustments, a chiropractor will also likely recommend other tips for patients to get better sleep. This may include better sleep positions, postural exercises, and buying a more supportive mattress and pillow.
Treat Sleep Disorders
For millions of Americans, they have more serious sleep issues – sleep disorders. It can be very frustrating to find relief and get quality sleep, especially when these health conditions can last for years. Two of the most common disorders are insomnia and sleep apnea.
Chiropractic for Insomnia
Insomnia is one of the most common sleep disorders, which refers to a person that finds it difficult to fall or stay asleep, as well as get enough sleep. This disorder can be caused by numerous factors, such as psychiatric, an illness, poor sleep habits, environmental factors, using drugs, or having a misaligned spine. Chronic pain in the back or neck are other common issues that can contribute to insomnia. Indeed, this isn’t surprising for people living in constant pain for years.
Like other health issues, it’s best to see a specialist doctor that can identify the source of a sleep disorder. Once this is established, the doctor will recommend various treatment options. When combined with other treatments, chiropractic is an excellent method to treat insomnia without any harsh drugs that have unpleasant side effects. Indeed, chiropractors can perform gentle, specific adjustments to treat spine misalignments. The chiropractor may use a high-velocity, low-amplitude (HVLA) treatment that is effective at addressing issues with joint dysfunctions too.
By receiving regular adjustments, this all-natural, drug-free care can reduce a patient’s pain and thus, improve their quality of sleep. In general, most patients notice an immediate decrease in their pain levels and experience more relaxed muscles. Chiropractors also help restore balance to the feel-good chemicals in the brain, such as dopamine and serotonin. Indeed, this can help people feel more relaxed and happy, which in turn helps treat insomnia.
Chiropractic for Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is another common sleep disorder that impacts over 22 million Americans. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is one of the most common types of sleep apnea. OSA is when a person’s soft tissue inside their mouth and throat relax while they sleep and thus block their upper airways. This serious condition causes numerous short periods of not inhaling, which occurs every hour while a person is asleep. These lapses last about 10 to 20 seconds long, which is enough time to reduce oxygen levels and cause the body to wake up to restart the breathing cycle. Since these lapses take place multiple times in a row, it makes it nearly impossible to get a good night’s rest. If left untreated, this disorder can cause brain damage and other serious health risks.
Spine Misalignments
Spine misalignments can contribute to various issues, including sleep disorders. These misalignments may be the result of an injury, poor posture, or sitting too long on a regular basis. Misalignments within the neck and upper body can cause airway blockage. Chiropractors are trained to use targeted adjustments and soft tissue massages to relax a patient’s muscles, decrease tension, and promote better breathing. Additionally, chiropractors may recommend that their patients perform breathing exercises to strengthen the soft tissues in their throat and mouth causing snoring and apnea.
At Awaken Chiropractic, our Parker Chiropractor can help you get better sleep naturally through our advanced chiropractic care. Learn more about how chiropractic helps treat a wide range of health conditions, including sleep disorders. We look forward to meeting you and helping you obtain your maximum health potential.
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