The Connection Between the Spine, the Brain, and Sleep

Even after eight hours of sleep, do you ever wake up feeling worn out or sore? If so, you are not alone. Sleep problems are common and can harm your general health and happiness. Several things can affect your sleep quality. A frequently disregarded factor is the spine's health.
 

The Importance of a Healthy Spine

Your body cannot function without the spine, which offers stability, mobility, and support. It has 24 vertebrae and is in charge of protecting the spinal cord. The spinal cord is the primary communication route between the brain and the rest of the body.

A healthy spine promotes proper posture, lowers the danger of injury, and enhances general well-being. Pain, stiffness, restricted movement, and other issues can result from poor spinal health.
 

The Connection Between the Spine and Sleep

The spine can play a significant role in how well we sleep. Your spine should be in a neutral position as you lie down to sleep. Basically, this means that correct standing posture is also correct lying posture. This position allows the muscles, ligaments, and nerves to relax, reducing tension and promoting deep sleep.

If it is not in the proper position, it can cause pain and discomfort. These make it hard to go to sleep or stay asleep. Improper position disrupts the body's natural sleeping position, causing stress and tension in the muscles and joints.
 

The Connection Between the Brain and Sleep

When you are going to sleep, alpha brain waves should increase, causing drowsiness, and when you enter sleep, theta waves should increase. If your brain and nervous system are healthy this occurs and one has rejuvenating sleep.

If your brain does not produce the right waves at the right time you will have trouble falling and/or staying asleep.

We have been looking at a lot of brain waves and find that for most people the brain does not produce the right waves in the right quantity at the right time. Sleep issues are an indicator that the brain and nervous system need some help!

Improving Spinal Health for Better Sleep

• Maintain good posture: Good posture during the day can help maintain a neutral spine at night. Make sure to sit up straight and avoid slouching
   

• Buy a good mattress and pillow: A comfortable bed and pillow can support and help maintain a neutral spine during sleep
   

• Regular exercise: Helps strengthen the muscles that support the spine and promote good posture
   

• Stretch before bed: Before going to sleep, you can stretch to relax the muscles and prepare the body for sleep
   

• Visit a chiropractor: Chiropractors can assist in locating and treating spinal issues that can prevent you from sleeping

Improving Brain Health for Better Sleep

The first step to better brain health is to find out the stress patterns of your brain and nervous system. Through our Neuroinfiniti assessment tool, we can find out what “brain type” you are and create a program tailored to your nervous system needs. This will not only help you sleep better but will improve the one thing that controls every part of your body and health: your brain and nervous system.

Conclusion

Your brain and spinal health can greatly influence your ability to sleep soundly. You can improve your sleep quality and overall well-being by following the abovementioned steps. Ask our chiropractor about treatment options if you don’t sleep well.

For more information, visit Thorburn Chiropractic & Wellness Center at our Burbank, California office. Call (818) 600-9020 to schedule an appointment today.