Can’t Sleep? Poor Posture, Bad Mattress Or Is It Time To See A Chiropractor?
Read Time: 7 minutes An appointment with a chiropractor can help people improve sleep and reduce pain. Poor sleep may also be due to posture or a bad mattress.
Is It Time For Chiropractic Sleep Care?
Sleep is supposed to be rejuvenating. But what happens when people are waking up with more aches and pains than the day before? Many factors affect the quality of a person’s sleep. When waking up brings an aching body, there are a few possible culprits. The problem could be due to poor posture, a bad mattress, or an appointment with the chiropractor may be overdue.
Is your posture causing pain?
Sometimes, when people find that sleeping causes aches and pains, posture is to blame. Certain sleeping positions will bring more benefits than others. For example, sleeping on the stomach can bring undue stress to the neck. However, stomach-sleepers may reduce pain by adding a pillow under the pelvis and lower abdomen. Others may find that sleeping on the side with a pillow between the knees brings the most relief.
When is it time to change the mattress?
The majority of mattresses have a lifespan of about 7-10 years. If someone is waking up daily with aches and pains and the mattress is over 10 years old, the time may have come to buy a new one. Other signs of needing to buy a new mattress including sagging, unchanging imprints in the mattress, or lumps. As cushioning wears down, people can experience waking up with pain in the hips, back, and neck.
Remember alignment
No matter a person’s sleeping position or mattress, keeping the body in good alignment is key to pain-free sleep. There may be gaps between a person’s body and the bed. Fill these gaps with pillows to reduce stress on the back and neck. Focus particularly on keeping the ears, shoulders, and hips in good alignment.
Benefits of chiropractic care
By some estimates, up to 85% of people will schedule an appointment with a doctor for back pain at some point. Chiropractic care can help. A recent study found that patients who received 6 weeks of treatment with a chiropractor experienced less pain, improved function, and a reduced need for pain medication.
When to see a chiropractor
Chiropractors are skilled in diagnosing and treating back pain and spinal problems. If sleep is causing pain, consider consulting with a chiropractor first. These specialists can provide suggestions for better sleep positions and mattresses or pillows. The treatment isn’t just for adults. Some children experience better sleep after a chiropractic visit, as well. To learn more about pain-free sleep, schedule an appointment with a chiropractor.