Could Your Sleep Be Helping or Hurting Your Brain?
By Sandy Schroeder
Most of us try for a good night’s sleep, but sometimes our schedules get stretched out, and we find ourselves staying up way too late. Then the next day, when we try to catch up with extra sleep, it does not always work out.
Charles A. Czeisler, PhD, MD, a professor of sleep medicine at Harvard Medical School, explains the problem. He says we have two clocks in our body, the circadian clock, which determines our sleep and awake cycles in which we respond to light and dark, and our internal body clock, which tells us what time it is in our body.
So if you stay up all night, and then drop off to sleep, you probably will not sleep all day to make up for it. You might wake up in a few hours when your internal alarm clock goes off. You may still be tired but the alarm that wakes you up is what time it is in your body.
The Effects of Lost Sleep
This process is important because of the questions it raises about how sleep loss impacts our brain. Scientists tell us the brain functions differently when there is inadequate sleep. This is often seen in work performance slumps and higher accident rates, when sleep is lost. Researchers also believe getting too little sleep can raise the risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
Wherever you are with sleep issues, seeing your chiropractor could provide answers. Stop by The Joint Chiropractic clinic near you, and discuss your sleep issues with licensed chiropractors who have the experience and training to help you get back on track.
Seeing Your Chiropractor
When you come in, your chiropractor will explain the theory of spinal health, and use a spinal adjustment to correct any misalignments that you may have. He or she will also want to talk about your schedule and your sleep issues. There will be a review of your medical history.
In the process, you may find relief of pain in areas such as the neck, back or sciatica. At the same time, you may feel more relaxed, less stressed and more centered. This could help you sleep better and function better overall.
Regrouping with Better Sleep
This whole person, natural drug-free approach to wellness can be a way to help your body regroup. You may decide to set up weekly 15-minute chiropractic sessions to stay at your peak as you establish better routines at work and at home. Ironing out the work schedules that lead to long hours, and finding time for healthy breaks, could make a huge difference in your sleep and your overall alertness.
However chiropractic treatment works out for you, relying on your local chiropractor, The Joint Chiropractic is easy to do. The Joint provides private, affordable care programs that eliminate the need for insurance, and extended weekend and evening hours that make visits convenient. No appointments are needed.