Can Insomnia Be Treated with The Blair Chiropractic Technique?

What is Insomnia?

Insomnia is a sleep disorder characterized by an inability to fall asleep or to stay asleep long enough for your brain and body to recharge. Even though sufferers may feel mentally and physically exhausted, sleep does not come easy—if it comes at all. 

Sleeplessness due to insomnia can cause a person to feel so fatigued that it is difficult for them to work effectively, accomplish daily chores, or enjoy leisure activities. A lack of sleep can have extremely traumatic effects on one’s health, contributing to severe conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, heart attack, or stroke.  

Signs and Symptoms of Insomnia

Everyone can have a sleepless night now and then, but insomnia is more persistent. People with insomnia have trouble falling and/or staying asleep. During their waking hours, they may suffer from one or more of the following: fatigue, irritability, depression, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, poor memory, clumsiness, or making frequent mistakes. 

Acute insomnia is characterized by a short-term event that lasts for a few days to a few weeks, usually brought on by times of extreme stress. Chronic insomnia is characterized by long-term difficulty sleeping, lasting at least one month.

How the Upper Cervical Spine Affects Insomnia

One common cause of insomnia that is often overlooked is a misalignment of the upper cervical spine. This part of the spine is made up of the seven uppermost vertebrae that go from the base of the skull, down through the neck. The upper cervical spine is responsible for supporting the head and neck muscles, as well as protecting the delicate pathway of nerves running from the brain and down the spinal cord. 

When the upper cervical spine is out of alignment, it can result in inflammation, irritation, swelling, and pain that makes it difficult to get comfortable and rest. In addition, misalignments may cause compression of the nerves and disrupt signals that travel between the brain and the Central Nervous System. This can disrupt the signals that control hormones vital to the sleep/wake cycle. 

How Our Insomnia Treatment Works

Based in Walnut Creek, California, Dr. Noah Kaplan is a renowned board-certified practitioner of the Blair Chiropractic Technique, which focuses special attention on the health of the upper cervical spine. 

Using advanced 3D imaging technology to calculate the upper neck alignment, Dr. Kaplan can then apply effective, precise yet gentle pressure to correct misalignments of the spine. Realigning the spine alleviates discomfort, and inflammation, and opens the neural pathways so that the brain can more effectively control the hormonal mechanisms that induce sleep. 

If a lack of sleep is preventing you from doing the things you love, get in touch today to speak with Dr. Kaplan about the health of your upper cervical spine. Located in Walnut Creek, California, Dr. Kaplan also services Pleasant Hill, Concord, Lafayette, Danville, San Ramon, Dublin, Pleasanton, and Livermore.