Chiropractic for a good night's sleep!

Chiropractic for a good night’s sleep!

Sleep plays a vital role in our overall health, a time for our bodies to heal and recharge, preparing us for another day.  But for those suffering from sleep apnea, the benefits of sleep can be hard to come by.  It is estimated that more than 18 million Americans suffer from some form of sleep apnea.

What is sleep apnea?  Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that causes shallow breathing or breathing that stops and starts intermittently throughout the night.  Sufferers don’t get enough air into the lungs resulting in poor oxygenation, disrupted sleep and health issues.

There are several types of sleep apnea, the most common being obstructive sleep apnea which occurs when the throat muscles relax.  The relaxation of these muscles causes the soft tissue in the back of the throat to collapse, decreasing airflow and thus lowering the oxygen level in the blood.  Your brain senses the inability to breathe and briefly rouses you so that you can reopen your airway.  This awakening is usually so brief you don’t remember it.

Who is at risk?  Sleep apnea can affect anyone at any age, even children, however, men are 2-3 times more likely to be affected.  Other risk factors include:

• obesity
• neck circumference- people with thicker necks have narrower airways
• narrow airway -tonsils or adenoids can enlarge and block airways, especially in children
• smoking- increases the amount of inflammation in upper airway
• family history of sleep apnea

If left untreated, sleep apnea can increase the risk of health problems such as high blood pressure, stroke, heart failure, diabetes and depression.

How can Chiropractic help?  Problems in the spine and nervous system can have a major negative impact on your ability to rest.  When vertebrae are misaligned, the central nervous system goes into disorder because signals cannot be properly transferred from one part of the body to another.   Correcting these subluxations can restore nervous system function and positive sleeping patterns.  Those suffering from sleep apnea can benefit from chiropractic adjustments of the neck, skull, shoulders and upper back to support the muscles and soft tissues in the area. This can help reduce tension and promote better breathing.   Additionally, chiropractic can resolve other problems that can further complicate the condition, including sinus congestion, lung, thyroid and liver functions.   Adjustments support overall health by reducing inflammation, digestive problems and so much more.

The chiropractic approach addresses the underlying causes of a problem for a long-term approach to better sleep. Patients are always reporting how much better they are sleeping under chiropractic care!