SLEEP ISSUES
At some point we all experience a restless night, it could be due to too much caffeine, a stressful day at work or disrupted sleep patterns after a long flight. Learn about insomnia, how to manage sleep problems and how you may get better quality sleep with Upper Cervical Chiropractic.
What is insomnia?
At some point we all experience insomnia, how to manage it can be a problem. A restless night could be due to too much caffeine, a stressful day at work or disrupted sleep patterns after a long flight. However, when sleep is chronically poor this is not normal and can be a sign of a problem in the nerve system. This can lead to tiredness and fatigue, not being able to focus, irritability, depression and missing work. If you aren’t well rested it affects other parts of the body too; such as digestive problems, muscle aches and headaches.
why does insomnia happen?
Sleeping problems can be classified as:
- Not being able to fall asleep
- Not be able to stay asleep
Problems falling asleep may be due to not being tired enough to sleep (such as if you woke up later that day), mental thoughts or emotional stress. Problems staying asleep can also be linked to stress but may be related to other medical conditions, such as enlarged prostate.
Problems falling or staying asleep may also be due to problems in the nerve system, interrupting the normal functions of the pathways which allow us to fall asleep and engage in deep sleep.
To sleep your body has to release chemicals, but if there are disruptions in bodily functions these chemicals may be out of balance. Medicine attempts to counteract this with medication, but many patients find that this doesn’t work or results in other side effects and needing to take more medications (learn more about Chiropractic and Anxiety, here).
Triggers for sleep problems
While the causes are usually an accumulation of factors, there are some more recognised triggers for sleep problems and insomnia:
1. Stress
Stress plays a big factor for most insomnia patients. When stressed the brain is working harder on mental and emotional tasks. With this reduced capacity, there is less focus on maintaining the body in its healthy balance, including regulation of the chemical and hormones which allow us to fall asleep and stay asleep.
2. Caffeine
Caffeine, found most regularly in coffee and soda drinks, will keep us awake and alert. This may be helpful when tired, but will disrupt quality sleep. Excessive caffeine can also build dependency in the brain.
3. Anxiety
Anxiety will drive the brain into repetitive thought patterns, commonly about the past or the future. When in this pattern it will impact brain chemistry, making sleep sometimes impossible and insomnia inevitable.
how is insomnia diagnosed?
Sleep problems and insomnia have no standardised tests. A medical history and questionnaire will be conducted to determine the severity and to establish possible triggers, causes or risk factors. Further tests may be done to exclude serious pathologies, such as cancers, prostate problems or hormonal conditions. At this stage, if the insomnia persists and is not medical in origin, the sufferer may be advised to speak with a counselor or psychologist.
Current treatment for sleep problems?
Once serious diseases have been excluded, the treatment for insomnia and sleep problems is focused on medications or alternative treatments to help the person fall asleep easier. Other treatments include speaking with a trained professional, such as a psychologist. Self remedies include exercise, foods, sleep schedule, hypnosis, meditation and essential oils.
One aspect missing is helping patients STAY asleep. In the absence of strong medications, this can be a challenge, because the underlying issue behind the interrupted sleep isn’t addressed, such as interference in the nerve system
How can chiropractic help improve sleep?
Upper Cervical Chiropractic patients report better sleep, usually as one of the first effects once starting care. Upper Cervical Chiropractic patients especially report more restful sleep, and feeling more awake during the day.
Upper Cervical Chiropractic is specialised to work with the brainstem, located at the top of the neck. The brainstem contains many of the control centres for the nerve system. If the control centres are being interfered with, due to a misalignment of the surrounding bones (known as a Subluxation), then the nerve function will be compromised. This may result in sufferers having poor regulation of the hormones and chemicals that help them to fall asleep or stay in deep sleep.
Chiropractic removes that interference when present, allowing the body to function properly so you can get a good nights rest. Our patients report improvements both int he quantity and quality of their sleep.
At Vitality Chiropractic, our chiropractic clinic in Singapore, we specialise in Upper Cervical care. We are the first to bring this technique to South East Asia and the only clinic in Singapore. Our unique NeuroPro method combines computed infrared thermography nerves scans and biomechanical x-rays to accurately diagnose the problem and help patients improve their sleep.
Learn about insomnia, how to manage sleep problems and how to get better quality sleep with Upper Cervical Chiropractic.
Our Chiropractors, DC Shaan and DC Jessey, have undergone post-graduate work, years of experience and has a history of helping patients manage insomnia symptoms. Click Here to Read Reviews or Hear Testimonials from our patients.
Learn about insomnia, how to manage sleep problems and how to get better quality sleep with Upper Cervical Chiropractic.
Call 8438 9550, email help@vitalitychiropracticcentres.com or fill in your information below to book your appointment.
OUR NECK PAIN SPECIALISTS
Shaan is a GCC registered Chiropractor from London (UK) who graduated from the Anglo-European College of Chiropractic (UK). He has completed post-graduate studies and has been serving patients in Singapore since 2015.
He founded Vitality Chiropractic Centres to open the first Upper Cervical clinic in Singapore.
He is the Alliance of Chiropractic (AoC) Chairman for Outreach, organising events within Singapore with the People’s Association and other charities. Shaan has served thousands of patients, with experience in patients with headaches, migraines, vertigo, Meniere’s, whiplash, IBS and other chronic nervous system problems.
Jessey is a GCC registered Chiropractor from Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), graduated from Anglo-European College of Chiropractic (UK). She has experience serving patients from 2 weeks old to 96 years old prior to moving to Singapore and joining Vitality Chiropractic.
She has completed post-graduate studies and is Singapore’s first female Upper Cervical Chiropractor.
Jessey is active in outreach, participating in charitable trips to Cambodia and within Singapore. Jessey has experience helping patients with headaches, migraines, vertigo, Meniere’s, slipped disc, anxiety, fibrillations, IBS and other chronic nerve system problems. She also has a special interest in children and younger patients.
Want help with your insomnia?
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