An alarmingly high percentage of Americans struggle with sleep. In fact, 50-70% of the US has some sort of sleep disorder. The US as a whole has a distorted view of sleep being less of a necessity and more of an “I’ll fit it in when I’m not busy”. The reality is, sleep is more than just the feeling of waking up refreshed. Sleep has major health implications that cannot be undervalued. The benefits of sleep include:
- Decreased blood pressure
- Increased immunity
- Healthy weight maintenance
- Reduced risk for diabetes and heart disease
- Reduced stress and improved mood
- Better cognitive performance
- Increased energy
- Organ rejuvenation
- Tissue growth and repair
- Growth and development hormones release
- Increased blood supply to muscles
- Recovery from exercise
Similarly, insufficient sleep also has its own set of repercussions such as:
- Weight gain
- Increased risk for accidents
- Memory issues
- Difficulty making decisions
- Cellular disruption
- Accelerated aging
- Increased risk of cancer
- High blood pressure
- Weakened immunity
- Depression, anxiety, and irritability
- Increased risk for serious diseases like Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, MS, kidney disease, GI disorders, and behavioral problems
Chiropractic adjustments not only help to improve the quality of sleep but correct many of the root causes that are preventing quality sleep.
How We Improve Sleep in Sun Prairie, WI
Comprehensive Consultation and Exam
In order to get to the root cause of your sleeplessness, the doctors will first perform a detailed consultation and specific examination. This will allow them to understand your problem in the context of your personal history and current condition as well as set goals for your future. The doctors really listen and understand how poor sleep is affecting all facets of your life.
Sometimes, difficulty sleeping is caused by pain or muscle spasms. During the examination, the doctors will perform chiropractic, neurological, and orthopedic testing to isolate the problem. These tests help the doctors discern if the pain is from a bone, muscle, nerve, disc, or a combination of these structures. Once they determine the cause of your sleeplessness, they can get you on the path to healing and sleeping better.
Digital X-rays
X-rays are one of the most useful tools in diagnosing common issues in our office and Noble Choice Chiropractic is proud to offer digital motion study X-rays in our office. Proper cervical, thoracic, and lumbar curves are important to help distribute any stress throughout your spine that may be felt while you’re trying to sleep. Static X-rays show us these curves, bone alignment, and disc spaces. X-rays are also taken as you go through your normal range of motion so you and the doctors see exactly where the problem is in the spine before starting care.
Specific Chiropractic Care in Sun Prairie, WI
Approximately 1/3 of people who receive chiropractic adjustments report an immediate improvement in sleep. Adjustments relax the body, ease muscle tension, stimulate circulation, and improve nervous system function.
When it comes to pain, adjustments work to correct what is known as a subluxation. A subluxation occurs when a bone shifts out of alignment with the rest of the spine. This can irritate the nerves which results in symptoms such as neck pain, muscle tightness, numbness and tingling, or other sleep-disrupting symptoms.
At Noble Choice Chiropractic, we use only the most advanced, scientific techniques to get you better. We do this by performing a specific chiropractic adjustment to these subluxations. The adjustment takes pressure off the nerves and allows the joints to move properly. A moving spine means a functioning body and our goal is to get you feeling better faster! If your sleep issues are caused by subluxations, you are likely to continue struggling with sleep unless these areas are corrected.
Sleep Modification Coaching
We’ve all had those nights where the clock says you slept seven hours but still woke up feeling tired. This is because there is a stark difference between the quality vs quantity of sleep. If you are struggling with sleep, there are many simple lifestyle changes you can try that can have a drastic impact on both sleep quantity and sleep quality.
- Sleep Sanctuary – When it comes to sleep, the environment is everything.
- Temperature – Research has shown that 65 degrees is the perfect temperature for a good night’s sleep. Some experts agree on a range between 60-72 degrees.
- Light – Any type of light is very disruptive to optimal sleep and blocking all light is recommended. This means investing in black-out curtains and covering any electronic lights.
- Clutter – A messy room can be distracting to the mind when trying to fall asleep. Keep bills and work/school notes out of the room or at least out of sight. Your bedroom is supposed to be a calming, relaxing space.
- Mattress and Pillow – Mattresses should be replaced every five to seven years, however, most people keep their bed for around 10 years on average. Memory foam mattresses generally last longer than springs. Similarly, your down alternative and poly-filled pillow should be replaced every 1-2 years while memory foam pillows last a couple of years longer. Choose a pillow that fits your sleep position.
- Supplements – Natural supplements that help the body feel drowsy include magnesium, Valerian root, and lavender. However, it is not recommended to take any sort of supplements for an extended amount of time. Rather, focus on more cognitive changes you can make at home to help with sleep.
- Optimal Sleeping Position – One of the most common questions that we are asked is “what is the best way to sleep?”. While the textbook answer is that sleeping on your back is the best, the truth is that it’s all about keeping the spine in a neutral position. If you can’t sleep comfortably on your back then the next best position is side sleeping with a pillow between the knees to keep the spine aligned. The worst sleep position is on your stomach so try to avoid it as much as possible.
Common Causes for Poor Sleep in Sun Prairie, WI
Sleep Apnea
This common disorder affects more than 22 million Americans, so chances are that you know someone with sleep apnea. This occurs when blood oxygen levels decrease to a level that causes the brain to wake the body up. For some people, this can happen more than 30 times an hour throughout the night! If left untreated, sleep apnea can lead to brain damage.
It is important to ensure that your respiratory system is functioning as efficiently as possible. Poor posture leads to forward head carriage, which makes it more difficult to breathe as the airway is restricted. Subluxations from injury, posture, and a sedentary lifestyle may also be contributing to difficulty breathing.
Insomnia
Insomnia is the most commonly diagnosed sleep disorder, affecting 30% of adults in the United States. This disorder is characterized by difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, and getting enough sleep. There are many causes of insomnia such as psychiatric and medical conditions, unhealthy habits, and pain. Chiropractic adjustments are a natural pain reliever if pain is the cause of your insomnia. Adjustments also balance dopamine and serotonin levels in the brain to aid in sleep.
Stress
Stress triggers the release of cortisol, which disrupts sleep. Stress adversely affects sleep quality and duration while insufficient sleep increases stress levels. This leads to a cycle of sleeplessness and stress. However, we know that chiropractic adjustments alleviate stress by releasing muscle tension and improving circulation. They also restore nerve flow to the limbic system, which regulates emotions.
Back Pain
The vast majority of Americans will deal with low back pain at some point in their lives, as it affects over 80% of us. Many people report that pain is a leading factor when it comes to poor sleep. Poor sleep then lowers the threshold of pain and it again becomes a vicious cycle.
Back pain is also caused by subluxations, disc herniations, and other spinal-related conditions that are commonly addressed by chiropractic care. Chiropractic adjustments help to correct subluxations which restore the nervous system. Once the nervous system is functioning better, range of motion increases and pain decreases.
Headaches and Migraines
If you’ve ever had a migraine, you know how disruptive it can be to your life. You’re not alone. While chronic migraines affect 38 million Americans, there are over 150 different types of headaches. The key to long-term headache relief is to identify the root cause of the headache. Chiropractic care has been proven to reduce the frequency and severity of headaches. If your sleep issues are due to headaches, then chiropractic is a great natural alternative to medication.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can chiropractic in Sun Prairie, WI help with sleep?
This depends on the cause of your poor sleep but in most cases, yes. Many people have reported improvement in sleep as a “side effect” of chiropractic adjustments.
How do you sleep after a chiropractic adjustment?
Whether it’s a baby sleeping through the night for the first time or a night shift worker taking the best nap of their life, most people report sleeping better after an adjustment.
What is the best sleeping position?
Keeping the spine in a neutral position is critical for good sleep, making back sleeping the best position.
What is the worst way to sleep?
Stomach sleeping is the worst way to sleep. In order to breathe, your head must be twisted to the side for the duration of your sleep.
Why is sleep important?
Sleep is when restoration and healing occur. This is when all the systems in your body are able to recharge and work more efficiently.