NEWS
Previous articles:
Copyright 2013 QUIRO NATELIA S.L.
The importance of healthy sleeping and
how chiropractic can help
To make an appointment with one of our chiropractors in any
of our clinics (Alicante or Denia), please call 965 200 005
Sleeping is an activity of vital importance to the human body, and that of any living animal for that matter. During sleep, the decreased level of consciousness and the cessation of voluntary activity allow for the body to recover, regenerate and grow. Most systems in the body, including the immune, nervous, skeletal, and muscular systems, show an increased anabolic state, which facilitates processes of growth, repair and rejuvenation.
In particular, the intervertebral discs in our spine undergo daily rehydration throughout the night, allowing for the vertebral column to recover from the axial loading it has received throughout the day and be ready to support new ones the next. In a healthy spine this process of rehydration can increase the body height of up to 1.5 cm in the morning when compared to the height of the previous evening!
Sadly, a number of sleeping problems, including insomnia, night cramps and back pain can affect the amount and quality of sleep a person gets each night and subsequently his/her general health. Fortunately, chiropractic care can help! Here is how.
NEWS
First and foremost, good sleep requires a correctly aligned spine.
In fact, misalignments and segmental fixations in the spine, known as vertebral subluxations, by putting unnecessary pressure on nerve roots exiting the spine can affect the tone and resting activity of muscles, causing involuntary contractions known as cramps. Depending on the affected nerve root and the muscles it innervates, vertebral subluxations can affect nearly any muscle in the body.
Moreover, vertebral subluxations restrict the normal segmental movements of the spine making normal body movements when turning in bed uncomfortable. This can affect the time required to fall asleep, and the amount and quality of the sleep itself if the discomfort is such that it wakes up the person in the middle of the night.
Furthermore, a subluxated vertebra, by causing wedging of the intervertebral disc below, hinders its normal rehydration process throughout the night. This in turns decreases the axial loading capability of the disc itself and increases the likelihood of injuries and degeneration.
Finally, vertebral subluxations can also affect the correct functioning of the autonomous nervous system (sympathetic and parasympathetic), which modulates the metabolism and coordinates the functioning of internal organs throughout the daily circadian rythm. This can lead to a number of sleep disturbances, including insomnia and leg restlessness and once again can deprive a person of the benefits of good sleep to our health.
