Enhancing Sleep Quality

In today’s busy and technology driven world, achieving restorative sleep can be challenging. Sleep disturbances not only affect our daily functioning but can cause considerable impact on our long-term health. As Chiropractors, we recognise the significance of addressing the root causes of many issues including sleep disruption. An avenue gaining attention is the use of melatonin supplementation. In this blog post we delve into what melatonin is, the role it plays in sleep regulation and the role of chiropractic care to complement sleep quality.
Melatonin is a hormone synthesized and released in the brain in response to darkness. It plays a pivotal role in regulating the circadian rhythm, the body’s internal clock that governs our sleep-wake cycles (Pevet, 2003). Melatonin levels typically spike in the evening, signalling our bodies to prepare for sleep, and decrease in the morning, promoting wakefulness.
During sleep, the body undergoes essential processes such as cellular repair, hormone regulation and memory consolidation (Walker, 2017). Chronic sleep deprivation has been associated with increased risk of various health conditions, including obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and mental health disorders (Grandner et al, 2010).
Chiropractic care focuses on optimising nervous system function, which plays a crucial role in regulating sleep patterns. Subluxations or misalignments in the spine can disrupt nervous system function and hinder the body’s ability to relax and fall asleep, especially if you are in pain! (Leboeuf-Yde et al., 2011). Through gentle spinal adjustments, chiropractors address subluxations, assisting to restore nervous system function and may facilitate relaxation. In addition, chiropractic adjustments can alleviate muscle tension and improve circulation, further promoting sleep quality.
Chiropractic care along with other strategies like addressing sleep hygiene, regular wake up and sleep times and creating an optimal rest environment for the body to regulate melatonin production, can aid in restful sleep. Addressing both physical and hormonal aspects of sleep regulation can lead to profound and sustainable improvements in overall sleep quality. If you are experiencing sleep issues and disturbances, consult with one of our chiropractors at Sprouting Health to explore how chiropractic care can support your journey to better sleep.
References:

• Grandner M.A., et al (2010) Sleep disturbance is associated with cardiovascular and metabolic disorders. Journal of Sleep Research, 19(3), 221-237.
• Leboeuf-Yde, C., et al (2011). Chirorpactic care of children from birth to adolescence and classification of reported conditions: an internet cross-sectional survery of 956 European Chiropractors. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 34(8), 572-580.
• Pevet, P. (2003) Melatonin: from seasonal to circadian signal. Journal of Neuroendocrinology, 15(4), 422-426.
• Walker, M.P. (2017). Why we sleep: unlocking the power of sleep and dreams. Simon and Schuster.