Millions of people struggle to sleep well on a weekly basis. A good night’s sleep for many can require everything from a peace of mind to a cool, comfortable pillow. The modern marketplace has exploded with solutions for people who have trouble sleeping; introducing everything from innovative mattresses to white-noise machines.
People experience all kinds of chronic pain; arthritis, fibromyalgia, back pain, headaches, menstrual cramps, etc. These pains leave sufferers less able to fall asleep or stay asleep. Sometimes the pain is so strong that a person cannot sleep at all. It is estimated that 50-80% of chronic pain patients report sleep disturbances.
So, what can people do about the pain? Not only is it affecting their day-to-day life, but it’s affecting their sleep, and a good night’s sleep is an essential component of a healthy lifestyle.
Chiropractic care has been shown to help reduce chronic pain and, as a result, helps people get a better night’s sleep. Chiropractors can help with all kinds of different pain including back pain, neck pain, knee/foot pain, arthritis, carpal tunnel, joint pain, and more. All of these pains can affect your ability to get a good night of sleep.
COMMON TYPES OF PAIN THAT AFFECT SLEEP & HOW CHIROPRACTIC CARE CAN HELP
Back Pain. Back pain is one of the most common pains that people suffer from daily, and probably one of the pains that makes it the most difficult to get comfortable and experience a good night of sleep. Luckily for sufferers, back pain is one of the most commonly treated by chiropractors.
What Chiropractic Care Can Do For You. Studies have shown that manual therapies commonly used by chiropractors are effective for the treatment of lower back pain. Chiropractors perform adjustments and mobilization procedures to improve functionality and to restore range of motion in the back. The Agency for Health Care and Research (a government-funded research organization) recommends that those suffering from lower back pain seek chiropractic care first; as it is the only safe, effective, drug-free form of initial professional treatment.
Neck Pain. Many restless sleepers are also suffering from neck pain. Maybe this is due to back that in turn cause neck pain, maybe it’s due to an injury, or maybe sufferers are experiencing pain due to the way they sleep to begin with. Bad pillows and the wrong sleep position often causes neck pain. Once someone is experiencing neck pain, it’s difficult or nearly impossible to get a good night’s sleep.
What Chiropractic Care Can Do For You. In addition to back pain, chiropractors also commonly see and treat patients with neck pain. Chiropractic neck adjustments, called cervical manipulation, loosen up the joints of the cervical vertebrae in the neck and can reduce pain caused by pinched nerves and muscle spasms.
Arthritis. Arthritis is caused by the build-up of inflammation throughout the joints and soft tissues of the body. This inflammation can be very painful and cause stiffness in the joints, making basic movements very difficult. And, as you might have guessed, the pain makes for a not-so-great night of sleep. Luckily, chiropractic care can help.
What Chiropractic Care Can Do For You. During a typical session, a chiropractor will work to examine the spinal column and the whole musculoskeletal system in order to identify any misalignments that may be causing inflammation. Using manual manipulation and adjustments, a chiropractor can coax the spine back into its proper position. When the body is in its natural and proper alignment, communication between the body and the brain is restored. In this way, the body can heal itself naturally and the inflammation will decrease.
Knee/Foot Pain. As you age, your chances of any knee, foot, and ankle pain increase drastically. Specific characteristics include stiffness, swelling, tenderness, or a decreased ability to move, walk, or bear weight. Although resting your foot or knee at night time is probably good for it, the pain that you feel from putting pressure on them all day still resides at night.
What Chiropractic Care Can Do For You. Chiropractic care can be a great way to manage and relieve swelling and discomfort to the lower leg (knees and feet). By delivering a chiropractic adjustment, chiropractors can reduce joint restrictions or misalignments in the spine in order to reduce inflammation and improve the function of the affected joint and the entire nervous system. In addition, there are many passive therapies such as ultrasound and/or electrical stimulation to aid in the recovery process.
Carpal Tunnel. Surgery and anesthesia are typically the approaches when treating carpal tunnel syndrome. This surgery focuses on just one aspect of the disorder, and in most cases, the carpal tunnel will return in as little as two years after the surgery. New research shows that the wrist and arm pain is likely symptomatic of problems elsewhere in the body, and chiropractor’s know this when using their unique approach.
What Chiropractic Care Can Do For You. Since carpal tunnel pain has its origins in the upper spine, the chiropractic approach to treating carpal tunnel syndrome is much less intrusive. A chiropractor will first relieve the irritation and pain in the wrist/arm, and then they will focus on the neck, shoulder, and elbow. This natural, holistic approach has proven effective in improving painful symptoms of carpal tunnel.
People experiencing all kinds of pain can greatly benefit from seeing a chiropractor. Chiropractic care is a safe, non-invasive, non-addictive alternative to prescription medications that only mask the pain for a short period of time. Those who experience chronic pain and have trouble sleeping may not always see the link between the two, but there definitely is one. Simply seeing a chiropractor could greatly reduce or heal the pain completely, leading to better quality of life and a good night’s sleep.
Seek chiropractic care if you have been experiencing pain and don’t want to suffer any longer. We want our patients to live a pain-free, healthy life. Blakely Chiropractic works with each patient to develop a unique treatment plan, ensuring that you feel your absolute best.
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