Will Chiropractic Care help me sleep?

A good night’s sleep is precious. But unfortunately, one of the biggest epidemics seen in America today is lack of sleep or lack of quality of sleep. People are not getting proper sleep on a regular basis. Good sleep is not about the number of “hours'' you get in bed. But about the quality of sleep you are getting. Are you constantly waking up in the middle of the night? If you are, you are not getting a good night’s sleep, you are missing out on the healing, refreshing experience that sleep provides. And this has to be addressed.

A question I often get is- “Can chiropractic care help me sleep better?” And the answer is yes! There are many ways in which chiropractic can improve the quality of your sleep. Let me walk you through some of them-

- Helps your body relax

Increased muscle tension can create pain and discomfort, reducing your ability to stay asleep. Cramping or restless leg syndrome can also reduce sleep time.

Spinal adjustments can help treat this problem. It improves the overall blood flow and circulation within the body, reducing muscle tension and stress. This allows your muscles to relax–making it easier for you to rest. Adjustments in the C1 bone and neck area, in particular, can increase oxygen supply to the brain and help improve sleep.

- Ensures a well-functioning CNS

There are several ways in which Chiropractic care can benefit the nervous system and its ability to communicate well. Particularly, it helps activate the PNS (Parasympathetic Nervous System) and deregulate the CNS. And this highly contributes to better quality of sleep.

Increased stress hormones can keep you awake, causing a lack of sleep. And an active PNS enables the rest and relaxation hormones to improve the quality of your sleep. Remember- Good sleep always includes a well-functioning PNS.

- Exercises to help you sleep better

Top chiropractors can suggest postural exercises and routines to help you sleep better. It does not have to be anything complex. At our office, we walk our patients through some simple relaxation techniques and stretches to release any tension in the muscles.

One last thing–your daytime routine affects the quality of sleep you get. Active work during the day is known to improve sleep. So, fitting some exercises into your schedule could be a good idea.

- We will ensure the right conditions

Do you follow the right sleeping conditions? We can help you make sure! A professional evaluation of your sleeping conditions can be key in making things better for you. Here are some nuggets you may keep in mind-

· Stomach sleeping should be avoided. It forces the neck to remain turned to a side for hours, creating kinks and twists in the spine. This changes the structural integrity of the spine, causing more stress in the nervous system and misalignments or abnormal curves in the spine. Imagine walking around for 8 hours with your neck rotated. Chiropractic can help correct the structural integrity of your spine, allowing you to sleep on your back or side.

· We all love those extra soft mattresses–but unfortunately, they’re not great for your body. They allow the spine to shift too much. So, make sure you look for medium-firm mattresses. They’re the best for supporting the spinal curves.

· When it comes to pillows, once again our love for fluffy pillows must be kept aside. A medium-firm pillow allows the neck and head to maintain proper placement. And that is a must to avoid strain and ensure a healthy sleep.

Getting proper sleep is very important. If you are having trouble falling asleep, please consult a doctor near you. At Lotus Chiropractic Care, we get many patients dealing with sleep problems. Dr. Tanvi Desai will take a close look at your condition and pick out the best route of treatment for you. At the end of a busy day, you deserve to sleep nice and tight!