How Chiropractic Care Can Improve Your Family's Sleep Quality

How many nights a week are you lying awake in bed, tossing and turning, unable to get some shuteye?

You’d be surprised at how many Americans struggle with sleep quality, as many people fail to get the recommended amount of sleep or experience consistent sleep interruptions. Luckily, there is help in the form of chiropractic care.

If your family experiences poor sleep quality, chiropractic care can be a helpful supporting therapy to address some underlying issues.

At Credence Chiropractic, we help Georgetown, Texas, residents sleep better by providing whole family chiropractic care, aimed at helping families live a more holistic and healthy life, including improving sleep quality.

Let’s examine some common causes of poor sleep quality and how chiropractic care can help.

Common Causes of Poor Sleep Quality

Poor sleep quality is a widespread problem among Americans. According to the National Institutes of Health, about one in three adults is not getting the recommended amount of sleep or experiences poor sleep.

The common causes of poor sleep quality can be broken into three main categories: lifestyle factors, physical discomfort and pain, and underlying medical conditions.

Lifestyle factors include stress & anxiety, poor sleep hygiene, dietary choices, or lack of physical exercise.
Physical discomfort and pain factors include chronic back pain, neck pain, headaches, arthritis, poor posture during the day, unsupportive mattress or pillow.
Underlying medical conditions include sleep apnea, insomnia, restless leg syndrome, acid reflux, and hormonal imbalances.

While chiropractic care cannot resolve all of these issues, it can help alleviate some of the physical pain and discomfort associated with poor sleep quality.

How Spinal Alignment Affects Sleep Patterns & Quality

The nervous system plays a crucial role in controlling sleep-wake cycles, hormone production, and relaxation responses. The spine protects the brainstem and spinal cord, which are the central highway of the nervous system. When the spine experiences subluxations, they can interfere with optimal nerve communication and potentially send stress signals to the brain or hinder relaxation.

Subluxations can also cause persistent aches, stiffness, or pressure points, making it difficult to find a comfortable sleeping position. Pain often causes individuals to toss and turn all night, which interrupts the sleep cycle.

Muscle tension and posture can also impact sleep cycles. Poor posture during the day can translate to muscle tension and strain that persists into the night, preventing relaxation.

The good news is that chiropractic care can help address some of these underlying posture issues, muscle tension, and subluxations.

Common Sleep Disorders That Chiropractic Care Can Address

Let’s look at how chiropractic care can directly or indirectly affect common sleep disorders.

Insomnia

While chiropractic care cannot cure all types of insomnia, it can address physical pain and discomfort that contributes to difficulty falling or staying asleep. By promoting relaxation and reducing nervous system interference, it can help the body transition more easily into a state of restful sleep.

Sleep Apnea

Chiropractic care may help maintain proper alignment of the nerve pathways related to the airway muscles. Additionally, addressing musculoskeletal tension in the neck or jaw can sometimes provide complementary support in reducing airway obstruction in certain individuals. Note: This is considered a form of supportive therapy.

Restless Leg Syndrome

RLS is a complex problem, but some patients report that chiropractic care can address potential nerve irritation or musculoskeletal imbalances that contribute to leg discomfort.

How Do Chiropractic Adjustments Promote Relaxation & Better Sleep?

Chiropractic adjustments can help promote relaxation and better sleep by shifting the autonomic nervous system. Adjustments by a qualified chiropractor can stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system, helping to calm the body and mind. They can also just reduce the dominance of the sympathetic nervous system, which is often overactive in stressed or sleep-deprived individuals.

Endorphins, the natural pain-reliever and mood-elevator hormone, can be released after an adjustment, which contributes to a sense of well-being and relaxation.

As we discussed, chiropractic care can help alleviate musculoskeletal pain, allowing the body to relax more fully and find comfortable sleep positions.

How Can Chiropractic Care Help Children With Sleep Disturbances?

Pediatric chiropractic care can help with some sleep disturbances in children.

For example, rapid growth and development of children’s bodies can cause pain and discomfort, which can interrupt sleep.

There is also some evidence that chiropractic care can help children who are restless, wet the bed, are colicky, or have digestive problems. The link is the improvement of the nervous system’s function after adjustments and regular treatments.

Tired of Tossing & Turning? Contact Credence Chiropractic to Promote Better Sleep!

Poor sleep quality affects many people, who often seek relief. If you are interested in non-invasive and medication-free help with sleep, contact Credence Chiropractic in Georgetown, Texas. Our expert team can help reduce pain and discomfort, promoting better nervous system functioning and a more restful night’s sleep.

Call us today at 512-887-1477 to speak with a team member or schedule an assessment online.