Most adults need between 7 and 9 sleeps a night but the reality of modern life means that many of us average less than 7. And, even if we are in bed for the right amount of time, poor sleep quality can mean that we still aren't getting enough sleep. Lack of sleep doesn't just make you feel tired and irritable, but it can have profound effects on your mental and physical health. A chiropractor can help you to sleep better both by directly helping you with sleep issues and by reducing any pain that could be interfering with your sleep. The chiropractor will also work with the patient on finding the optimal sleep posture for them.
The effects of chronic sleep deprivation
Short-term sleep deprivation can give you excessive sleepiness and yawning, make you irritable, fatigued, and can make your thinking less clear. Long-term sleep deprivation, however, can build up and cause problems throughout your body. This can include:
• memory problems
• mood swings
• reduced functioning of your immune system
• high blood pressure
• increased risk of diabetes
• increased risk of obesity
• low libido
• increased risk of heart disease
• increased risk of Alzheimer's disease
• anxiety/depression
• increased risk of accidents
What causes insomnia?
While in some cases, you might be choosing to burn the midnight oil, long-term sleep deprivation often occurs because we simply can't get to sleep. Or our sleep is interrupted on a regular basis.
Common causes of insomnia include:
• chronic pain
• sleep apnea
• stress and anxiety
• heartburn/acid reflux
• migraines
In order to get to sleep, we do need to be in a certain state of being comfortable, and many of these issues can interfere with our ability to be comfortable enough to slip into the first stage of sleep. For instance, chronic pain can keep you awake because you are in too much pain to relax.
Can chiropractic care improve sleep?
A chiropractor can help to improve your sleep in several different areas.
Chronic pain
Chiropractic care is an effective treatment for chronic pain and, especially for lower back pain, which is one of the leading causes of insomnia. By reducing your pain, you should be much more able to relax enough to go to sleep.
Stress and anxiety
A chiropractor and chiropractic adjustments can help to reduce your stress and anxiety, by reducing your blood pressure, promoting relaxation, and triggering the release of calming hormones.
Sleep health
Many of us are guilty of having poor sleep health and chiropractors can help to improve our sleep health. This can include the use of chiropractic pillows and relaxation techniques, including stretches, exercises, and massage. A chiropractor is also trained in giving out sleep advice, including:
• diet - including not using caffeine and alcohol and not eating a big meal before bedtime
• exercise - including taking part in regular exercise, but not exercise right before bed
• the sleep environment - including how to make the bedroom more relaxing and less stimulating
Sleep deprivation can have a knock-on effect in nearly every area of your life and your health, so dealing with sleep deprivation is important. A chiropractor can help to treat a variety of issues that could be contributing to poor sleep and give you advice about how to continue to improve your sleep at home.