Did you know that around 50 to 70 million Americans have a sleep disorder? Having issues with falling or staying asleep can have a negative effect on your health and well-being. There are several options to achieve better sleep, such as buying a more supportive mattress and pillow, taking sleep medications, maintaining a regular bedtime routine, or using natural remedies like massage or aromatherapy. Of course, chiropractic is another all-natural option to improve your overall quality of sleep and treat specific sleep disorders. Let’s take a closer look at how chiropractic care can help you get the better sleep you need and deserve.

Can Chiropractic Help You Get Better Sleep?

The National Sleep Foundation indicates that nearly one-third of people that receive chiropractic adjustments experience an immediate improvement to their quality of sleep. Since getting enough sleep is vital for long-term health and well-being, this is a major 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 recommend other ways patients can improve their quality of sleep even more. This may include tips for better sleep positions, postural exercises, eating healthy, and purchasing a more supportive mattress and pillow. 

Chiropractic Can Help Treat Sleep Disorders

For millions of Americans, they have more serious sleep issues called sleep disorders. It can be frustrating to find relief and get better sleep, especially when the issues have occurred for years. Two of the most common disorders are insomnia and sleep apnea, which will be discussed below.

Insomnia

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

Like any health issue, it’s recommended to see a specialist doctor that can determine the root cause of a sleep disorder. Once the source is identified, the doctor will recommend various treatment options. When combined with other treatments, chiropractic care is a great method to treat insomnia without any harsh drugs that have unpleasant side effects. The chiropractor may use a high-velocity, low-amplitude (HVLA) treatment that is effective at addressing issues with joint dysfunctions too.

By receiving regular adjustments, this all-natural care can decrease a patient’s pain and improve their quality of sleep. Typically, patients notice an immediate reduction to their pain levels and experience more relaxed muscles. Chiropractors also help restore balance to the feel-good chemicals in the brain, such as dopamine and serotonin. Indeed, this can help people feel more calm and happy, which in turn helps treat insomnia too.

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 thus block their upper airways. This serious condition causes numerous short periods of not inhaling, which happens about every hour while a person is asleep. These lapses last about 10 to 20 seconds long, which is long enough to reduce oxygen levels and cause the body to wake up to restart the breathing cycle. Since these lapses take place multiple times, it makes it almost impossible to get a good night’s rest. If left untreated, this disorder can lead to brain damage and other serious health risks that shouldn’t be ignored.

Spinal 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.

Contact At Last Chiropractic in Lithia, FL today to start achieving better sleep through our family chiropractic care. Learn how our Torque release technique chiropractic care can help treat sleep issues and disorders, as well as help you achieve optimal health and well-being.