Healthy sleep is vital for having enough energy, thinking clearly, and managing everyday stresses confidently. Chronic unhealthy sleep patterns and/or insomnia can lead to and contribute to various health issues. This includes daytime fatigue, irritability, difficulty concentrating, delayed reaction time, constantly getting sick, and memory problems. Sleeping health problems can get worse with every night of poor rest. Injury Medical Chiropractic and Functional Medicine Clinic provide treatment, training, and tools to realign and relax the body and restore healthy sleep.
Table of Contents
Sleeping Health Problems
Lack of sleep disrupts and slows down nerve impulses and transmissions throughout the body. This can lead to health problems that can include:
- Excessive fatigue
- Brain fog
- Slow responses
- Physical performance problems
- Inability to remember
- Low sex drive
- Chronic illness
- Over time the risk of developing a serious medical condition increases and can include:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
- Weakened immune system
- Stroke
- Heart attack
- Seizures
Staying On
There is some research that insomnia is associated with hyperarousal or the state of staying on. It often starts with a stressful event that sets off the body’s systems, causing the inability to relax completely. Body discomfort and pain symptoms can also present when the mind and body can’t relax. The entire body can tighten/stiffen, causing aches, soreness, and pain. Continuation of sleeping health problems of the cycle leads to more stress.
Healthy Sleep Benefits
Adults need seven to nine hours of sleep every night to operate optimally. The benefits of healthy sleep include:
- Healthy immune system function.
- Thorough tissue and muscle repair.
- Remembering and recalling things comes easier.
- Improved insulin regulation, helping to manage food cravings and weight.
- Enhanced regulation of cortisol.
- Improved mood and outlook.
Chiropractic Treatment
Chiropractic care, massage, and decompression therapy can help break the cycle. Breaking the process is necessary to help the body recover and rehabilitate properly. Treatment retrains the body to relax; stretching and pulling the muscles increases blood circulation, as well as advanced and improved brain signals telling the body to relax. A chiropractor will evaluate the individuals sleeping patterns and recommend various solutions. The benefits for individuals with sleep issues include:
- Alleviates muscle tension.
- Stimulates nerve circulation and blood flow.
- Relaxes the whole body.
- Enhances central nervous system function.
- Relieves pain and discomfort.
- A chiropractor will also provide the following:
- Sleeping position recommendations.
- Postural stretches and exercises.
- Recommendations on supportive mattresses.
- Ergonomics for work, home, and bed.
Chiropractic’s Evolution
References
Hale, Deborah, and Katherine Marshall. “Sleep and Sleep Hygiene.” Home healthcare now vol. 37,4 (2019): 227. doi:10.1097/NHH.0000000000000803
Liu, Amy. “Sleep Training.” Pediatric annals vol. 49,3 (2020): e101-e105. doi:10.3928/19382359-20200218-01
What Are Sleep Deprivation and Deficiency?www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/sleepdeprivation#:~:text=Sleep%20deficiency%20is%20linked%20to,adults%2C%20teens%2C%20and%20children.
What Makes You Sleep? www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/sleep-deprivation/body-clock
How Sleep Affects Your Health www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/sleep-deprivation/health-effects
Riemann, Dieter. “Sleep hygiene, insomnia, and mental health.” Journal of sleep research vol. 27,1 (2018): 3. doi:10.1111/jsr.12661
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