How stress, subluxations and your nervous system can affect sleep
Over recent months, we have seen a growing number of people coming into the clinic reporting poor sleep, low energy levels, and a sense of feeling run-down or not quite feeling like themselves.
These concerns are often attributed to busy and stressful lifestyles or not allowing enough time to unwind before bed. While these factors can certainly contribute, physical and spinal stress are frequently overlooked influences on how well the body is able to rest and restore itself.
The spine plays a central role in protecting and supporting the nervous system, which co-ordinates how the body adapts to stress and maintains balance. When there are areas of restriction or imbalance within the spine, the surrounding muscles and joints can become tight, stiff and irritated. This physical guarding can make it difficult to relax, find a comfortable sleeping position, or remain asleep through the night, often resulting in broken sleep and stiffness on waking.
When the body is under ongoing stress, whether physical, chemical, or emotional, it can remain in a heightened, protective state commonly referred to as sympathetic or “fight or flight” mode. Remaining in this mode for prolonged periods can make it difficult to switch off at night, even when you feel exhausted.
Chiropractic care is centred on identifying and correcting areas of interference to the spine, called subluxations that can be affecting the body’s ability to self-regulate. Removing these interferences helps reduce physical stress on the nervous system, which in turn allows the body to move away from a constant stress response and into a state that supports rest, repair, and restoration (parasympathetic mode).
We do not treat sleep conditions or diseases. Instead, our focus is on supporting the nervous system; the body’s natural regulator of sleep, healing, and recovery.
When reviewing our clients’ results over the past month, 60.87% reported an improvement in their sleep quality while under chiropractic care.
While individual responses vary, many people report feeling calmer, more settled at night, and better able to achieve deeper, more restorative sleep as physical stress reduces.
As the body shifts away from a chronic sympathetic state, people often notice they wake feeling more refreshed, rejuvenated, and better equipped to meet the demands of daily life.
If you know anyone who is struggling with poor sleep, low energy, or feeling run-down, feel free to book in for a consultation so we can explore this further and assess whether chiropractic care may be appropriate for them.
Ryan Lian, (MChiro)