Get Better Sleep with Chiropractic Care

In the U.S., around 50 to 70 million Americans have a sleep disorder. Having issues with falling or staying asleep can have a negative impact on your health and well-being. There are numerous options to help get better sleep, such as purchasing a supportive mattress and pillow, taking sleep medications, maintaining a bedtime routine, or using natural remedies like aromatherapy. Of course, chiropractic is another all-natural way to improve your quality of sleep and treat specific sleep disorders. Continue reading to discover how chiropractic can help you get better sleep that you deserve.

Chiropractic Care Can Help You Get Better Sleep

If you are familiar with chiropractic, it comes as no surprise that chiropractors can help improve your quality of sleep. The National Sleep Foundation reports that nearly one-third of people that receive chiropractic adjustments experience an immediate improvement to their sleep quality. Since receiving enough sleep is crucial for long-term health and wellness, this is a main benefit of chiropractic care.

For patients 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 likely suggest other ways patients can improve their quality of sleep even more. This may include tips for better sleep positions, postural exercises, and buying a more supportive mattress and pillow.

Chiropractic Can Help Treat Sleep Disorders

For millions of Americans, they have more serious sleep issues known as sleep disorders. It can be frustrating to find relief and get quality sleep, especially when the issues have been going on for years. Two of the most common disorders are insomnia and sleep apnea, which will be discussed next.

Insomnia

Insomnia is one of the most common sleep disorders, which is when a person finds it difficult to fall or stay asleep, as well as get enough sleep. This disorder can be due to a variety of causes, such as psychiatric, an illness, bad sleep habits, environmental factors, using specific substances, or even a spinal misalignment. Chronic pain in the back or neck are other common issues that can contribute to insomnia. Indeed, this isn’t surprising when someone is living in constant pain.

Like any health condition, it’s best to see a specialist doctor that can determine the source of the sleep disorder. Once the source is identified, the doctor will recommend various treatment options. When combined with other therapies, chiropractic care is an excellent method to treat insomnia without any harsh drugs that have unpleasant side effects. Indeed, chiropractors can perform specific adjustments to treat spine misalignments. Specifically, the chiropractor may use a high-velocity, low-amplitude (HVLA) treatment, which is great for addressing issues with joint dysfunction too.

By receiving regular chiropractic adjustments, this all-natural care can decrease a patient’s pain and improve their quality of sleep. In general, patients experience less pain immediately, as well as more relaxed muscles. Chiropractic also helps restore balance to the feel-good chemicals in the brain, including dopamine and serotonin. As a result, this can help people feel more relaxed and happy, which can help treat insomnia.

Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is another common sleep disorder that affects more than 22 million Americans. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is one of the most common types of sleep apnea. OSA refers to when a person’s soft tissue inside their mouth and throat relax while they sleep and block the upper airways. This serious condition causes multiple short periods of not inhaling, which occurs every hour while a person is sleeping. These lapses last about 10 to 20 seconds long, which is long enough to lower oxygen levels and cause the body to wake up to restart breathing. Since these lapses can occur multiple times, 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, bad posture, or having a sedentary lifestyle. 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, reduce tension, and promote better breathing. Additionally, chiropractors may recommend that their patients do breathing exercises to strengthen the soft tissues in their throat and mouth causing snoring and apnea.

At Keystone Chiropractic, our chiropractors in Plano, Texas are here to help you achieve better sleep through our state-of-the-art chiropractic care. Find out more information about chiropractic for sleep issues by contacting us today. We look forward to meeting you and helping you gain victory over your health.