Chiropractic Care and Improving Sleep

By Dr. Abby Bachmeier, Smith & Prissel Chiropractic and Massage

Sleep is crucial for overall health, affecting both physical and mental well- being. Chiropractic care, which focuses on diagnosing and treating musculoskeletal disorders, particularly those related to the spine, aims to improve body function.

Chiropractic care involves adjustments that improve spinal alignment. The spine houses much of the nervous system, which controls body functions, including sleep patterns. Misalignments, called subluxations, can cause nerve interference, leading to discomfort, pain, and sleep disturbances.

Benefits of Chiropractic Care for Sleep

1. Pain Reduction: Chronic pain is a prevalent issue that significantly disrupts sleep patterns. It often leads to restlessness and frequent night waking. Chiropractic adjustments play a crucial role in alleviating musculoskeletal pain, which can be a major contributor to sleep disturbances. By addressing and correcting misalignments in the spine and other joints, chiropractic care can help reduce pain levels. This relief enables individuals to find more comfortable positions essential for maintaining uninterrupted sleep, allowing for a more restful and rejuvenating night.

2. Stress Reduction: Chiropractic care is often recognized as a helpful method for reducing stress. By aligning the spine, chiropractors aim to improve the overall function of the nervous system. When stress levels are reduced, individuals may find a greater sense of relaxation. This relaxation can significantly enhance sleep quality, making it easier for people to fall asleep and stay asleep. As a result, chiropractic care not only addresses physical issues but also contributes to mental well-being by promoting a more balanced and stress-free lifestyle.

3. Improved Nervous System Function: An adequately aligned spine is crucial for maintaining overall health, especially the nervous system. The spine houses and protects the spinal cord, which transmits signals between the brain and the body. Correct spinal alignment minimizes nerve interference, optimizing nervous system function. The nervous system regulates various bodily functions, including the sleep-wake cycle (circadian rhythm). Disruptions to the nervous system can affect this cycle, leading to sleep disturbances like insomnia or restless sleep.

Chiropractic care focuses on correcting spinal misalignments that impede the nervous system’s function. Adjustments and other therapeutic techniques restore spinal alignment, enhancing nerve communication throughout the body. This improved neural function regulates the sleep-wake cycle more effectively, leading to better sleep quality and duration. Regular chiropractic care often improves sleep onset and sleep duration.

4. Addressing Sleep Disorders: Some sleep disorders, such as insomnia and restless leg syndrome, may be linked to underlying issues with the nervous system, chronic pain, or nutrient depletion. Chiropractic care, as part of a comprehensive treatment plan, can help manage these conditions.

Chiropractic care enhances sleep quality by reducing pain, which could interfere with sleep. It also lowers stress levels by promoting relaxation, improving body alignment, easing muscle tension, and creating well-being. Additionally, chiropractic treatments optimize nervous system function by correcting spinal misalignments that impede nerve communication, supporting better sleep regulation and restorative rest.