Serious Sleep Subject: Spine Straightening

By Randi Morse

Is there anything worse than tossing and turning all night long? I find it especially irritating to wake up feeling as though I slept 6 or more hours only to find out that it's 2 a.m. and I've only been asleep for a couple. If you suffer from insomnia, you're not alone. Some research has shown that more than 60 million Americans deal with insomnia at one point in their life or another. The last person you may think to visit when you're dealing with sleep issues is a chiropractor, but a chiropractor may be exactly who you need. 

Why a Chiropractor? 

There are several factors that can cause sleep issues, including physical conditions, medical conditions, and mental health conditions. Some people have brains that just can't stop spinning while others simply have no idea why they can't fall asleep. Let's start with what is probably the simplest fix: back pain. The spine is literally the support column for your body. Imagine that there is a brick column standing in front of you. The bottom of that column seems sturdy and so does the top. The middle of the column, however, seems to be shifted to the side a little bit. Now, would you think that this brick column is as sturdy as the one next to it that has no bricks out of alignment? 

If you answered "no," you're exactly right. Now, imagine that brick column is your spine. If your spine is not an alignment, your entire body is out of whack. Most of your bodily functions connect in some way, shape, or form to your spine. So, it stands to reason that if your spine is not aligned correctly, you may be dealing with some serious back pain that could cause you to have insomnia. A chiropractor can diagnose your issues and can help put your body back in alignment, thereby helping to alleviate the pain and helping you to get a better night's sleep. 

A Bit More Science-y 

OK, so it makes sense that a chiropractor can help you get sleep if you're dealing with back pain. But what if you aren't dealing with pain? Can a chiropractor still help you with your sleep issues? They may be able to. 

Hold on because I'm about to get a little science-y. The autonomic nervous system is responsible for controlling millions of microscopic nerves that connect to the muscles and ligaments that are around your spine. Your body uses the autonomic nervous system in order to connect your brain with the rest of your body. The connection is almost instantaneous; it's something that you will never be able to feel happening, yet if your spine is out of alignment the autonomic nervous system may be out of balance. This causes the body to struggle to rest as the brain is unable to communicate thoroughly with the rest of the body. 

If you're struggling with sleep issues, drop in at The Joint Chiropractic. With regular visits your chiropractor will be able to get your spine into alignment -- and keep it in alignment -- so that your body has what it needs to ensure that you get a good night's sleep. 

To learn more about your health, wellness and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint in Atlanta, Ga.