By Dr. Ryan Lee
There are many lifestyle and dietary changes we can make to improve our energy levels and fight off fatigue, but did you know chiropractic care is one of them?
Chiropractic adjustments fix a health condition known as a subluxation. Subluxations occur when misalignments of our spinal vertebra create pressure and stress on the nervous system. This constant stress on the body puts our body in a sympathetic state, also known as the “fight or flight” state.
When in a sympathetic state, the body is preparing to either fight off an attacker or run away. Our body begins to tighten our muscles, our heart beats faster, and our brain goes into over drive.
All of these physical symptoms of stress make it very difficult to relax so it is constantly sapping our energy, making us tired all of the time and it makes getting a great night rest very difficult. This is all due to how our bodies process stress.
The different kinds of stress (emotional, mental, and physical) are all processed in the brain by the amygdala. Unfortunately, the brain cannot tell the difference between the different types of stress.
So, if you are stressed about giving a presentation, or you just had a very physically exhausting spin class, your body will not know the difference.
Stress is a great thing, it helps our body prepare for performing at its best, getting projects done, and keeping us on track, but its only beneficial in short spurts at a time. However, experiencing stress on a regular basis puts you in a constant loop of, fight or flight, which wreaks havoc on our body.
To get proper rest our bodies must be in a parasympathetic state. This is the state that allows your body to digest food and turn it into nutrients for your body, heal the tissues of your body, and turn off your brain and relaxes your muscles so you can get good rest. Our body should be in the parasympathetic state most of the time.
Chiropractic adjustments correct subluxations, which put constant stress on the spine and spinal cord. With the stress removed, the body can get back to the parasympathetic state, allowing the body to rest and heal. There have been a multitude of case studies on chiropractic care and different types of sleep disturbances, such as obstructive sleep apnea, enuresis (bed wetting in children), night terrors, insomnia, and much more, all had a positive outcome with chiropractic intervention.
In conclusion, chiropractic care can be a great treatment option if you are struggling with sleep issues or feeling tired all the time. Wondering what you can expect on your first chiropractic visit? Read our article here: What to Expect
Dr. Ryan Lee is the practicing chiropractic physician at Reach Health and Wellness Chiropractic. For his full bio, click here.
*This content is strictly the opinion of Dr. Ryan Lee and is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice or to take the place of medical advice or treatment from a personal physician. All readers/viewers of this content are advised to consult their doctors or qualified health professionals regarding specific health questions. Dr. Lee does not take responsibility for possible health consequences of any person or persons reading or following the information in this educational content. All viewers of this content, especially those taking prescription or over-the-counter medications, should consult their physicians before beginning any nutrition, supplement or lifestyle program.
Reach Health and Wellness Chiropractic is located in the Chattanooga, Tennessee area specifically in Collegedale, TN, a short distance from Ooltewah, Cleveland, East Brainerd, East Ridge, Ringgold, Apison, and Harrison.
