Pain and sleep mirrors the concept of yin and yang—a philosophy beautifully grounded in science, where each element complements the other to create a harmonious whole. When we prioritize sleep, our bodies undergo healing, resulting in reduced pain.
When pain lingers, the quality of our sleep diminishes, creating a delicate balance in this symbiotic relationship.For anyone dealing with ongoing pain, such as fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, or rheumatoid arthritis, getting better sleep can be a game-changer.
Getting a Better Night’s Sleep Just Got Easier!
Food:
Forget about strict diets! Your cravings mean something. Different foods work with different hormones. Eat kiwi, tart cherries, chamomile, or rice to boost your sleep, says sleepfoundation.org (Fenton, 2021). But watch out for spicy foods like curry or peppers—they can keep you awake. For powerful science based herbal teas, talk to a licensed herbalist for advice.
Meditation:
Get an extra hour of good sleep with just 5 minutes of meditation a day. Studies show it can make your sleep better and your pain less (Rusch, 2021). It’s simple—just focus on your breathing. You can use a salt lamp or music to help you relax, but meditation is like supercharged breathing.
These modalities of care can help you tremendously with sleep and pain! Add one or more to your care!
Acupuncture:
Imagine a practice that’s been around for 3000 years and still works today. Acupuncture uses super-thin needles that you can barely feel. A study with nearly 4000 people with sleep troubles found that acupuncture made a huge impact with deeper sleep and less vivid dreams. (Cao, 2019).
Massage:
Gain additional hours of quality sleep with regular massages. Scientific studies indicate that incorporating massages into your routine not only enhances the overall quality of your sleep but also contributes to a reduction in pain levels.
Chiropractic Care:
Achieve extended periods of restful sleep by incorporating regular chiropractic care into your routine. Scientific studies indicate that integrating chiropractic sessions not only enhances the overall quality of your sleep but also contributes to a reduction in pain levels. As a result, enjoy a night of undisturbed rest without the need to toss and turn in search of comfort.
So, here you go—Important ways to get better sleep and ease some pain too!
Bruehl, S., Chung, O. Y., Jirjis, J. N., & Biridepalli, S. (2005). Prevalence of clinical hypertension in patients with chronic pain compared to nonpain general medical patients. The Clinical journal of pain, 21(2), 147–153. https://doi.org/10.1097/00002508-200503000-00006
Cao, H., Pan, X., Li, H., & Liu, J. (2009). Acupuncture for treatment of insomnia: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.), 15(11), 1171–1186. https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2009.0041
Fenton, S., Burrows, T. L., Skinner, J. A., & Duncan, M. J. (2021). The influence of sleep health on dietary intake: a systematic review and meta-analysis of intervention studies. Journal of human nutrition and dietetics : the official journal of the British Dietetic Association, 34(2), 273–285. https://doi.org/10.1111/jhn.12813
Krause, A. J., Prather, A. A., Wager, T. D., Lindquist, M. A., & Walker, M. P. (2019). The Pain of Sleep Loss: A Brain Characterization in Humans. The Journal of Neuroscience, 39(12),
2291–2300. https://doi.org/10.1523/jneurosci.2408-18.2018
Rusch, H. L., Rosario, M., Levison, L. M., Olivera, A., Livingston, W. S., Wu, T., & Gill, J. M. (2019). The effect of mindfulness meditation on sleep quality: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Annals of the New York Academy of
Sciences, 1445(1), 5–16. https://doi.org/10.1111/nyas.13996