Sleep is all too easy to take for granted – until you are no longer getting enough. Most people need between seven and nine hours of sleep each night to be at their best the next day. However, those seven to nine hours needs to be good quality sleep, not tossing and turning or “restless rest.” All too often, pain or discomfort can prevent you from getting crucial sleep.

Although it’s easy to overlook, sleep is truly vital to your wellbeing. Just like food, water, and oxygen, you simply cannot survive without sleep. Still, people often neglect their sleep since it is possible to live with poor quality sleep. You just won’t be living well.

Once you make sure that you are setting aside adequate time for sufficient sleep, you should then address any issues that are degrading your sleep quality. These issues may include:

  • Ambient noise that keeps you awake
  • Light sources, such as tablet or phone screens
  • Uncomfortable temperatures
  • Old, non-supportive pillows or mattress
  • Stress and worry
  • Caffeine consumption too close to bedtime

Eliminating these problems can go a long way towards providing you with a better night’s sleep. Of course, some issues – like chronic pain – may be difficult to eradicate on your own.

Here is where your chiropractor comes in. Chiropractic treatments are not just for daytime problems. While chiropractic can certainly help with on-the-job pain or pain that occurs from 9-5, any discomfort that affects your sleep also needs to be addressed. Whether it’s intense pain that keeps you from falling asleep, discomfort that awakens you during the night, or simply an inability to get comfortable at bedtime, let your chiropractor know.

Your chiropractor can perform non-invasive tests and ask questions to get to the bottom of your sleep difficulties. They may recommend exercises, adjustments, or other gentle treatments to help relieve your pain. They can also offer advice regarding sleep habits, pillow choices, and other factors to increase your sleep quality.

Pregnancy and Sleep

Sleep problems are notoriously common among pregnant women, especially in the second and third trimesters. Increased body size combines with hormone changes to make comfort elusive and sleep difficult. In this situation, chiropractic care can be particularly useful.

Be sure to tell your chiropractor about your sleep difficulties and any other pregnancy-related pain troubles. They will work with your OB-GYN or other care providers to offer safe, gentle treatment that can effectively reduce your pain while maximizing your sleep time and quality.