Getting the best sleep possible!!
Eating, drinking water, and breathing are all basic human needs. Critical to life itself. But one basic human need that is overlooked is sleep. People sometimes refer to it as “beauty sleep” or a “power nap,” but getting sufficient sleep is not superficial. According to WebMD.com, the amount of sleep you need depends on certain factors like your age.
How much sleep do you need? Read the WebMD.com article to learn about sleep requirements and effects of sleep deprivation here!
Generally, at least 7-9 hours of rest is necessary to have a healthy and long life. Not getting enough sleep puts you at risk for serious health conditions. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood institute states that, “sleep deficiency is linked to many chronic health problems, including heart disease, kidney disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, stroke, obesity, and depression.”
The effects of sleep deprivation build up over time and eventually become worse. As stated on WebMD.com, “The amount of sleep a person needs goes up if they’ve missed sleep in previous days. If you don’t have enough, you’ll have a "sleep debt," which is much like being overdrawn at a bank. Eventually, your body will demand that you start to repay the debt.” (source: https://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/sleep-requirements )
It is also worth noting that issues with sleep deprivation may not go away without intervention. If you are having a tough time sleeping and don’t want to turn to potentially harmful medication, our Oviedo chiropractic office may be able to help. Did you know that chiropractic adjustments are an all-natural treatment to help improve the quality of your sleep?
It's no secret that pain and discomfort make it hard to relax in general, much less when you are trying to fall asleep. Stress, tight/tense muscles as well as your sleeping position all play a role in preventing you from a restful slumber. When you lay down on an injured or painful joint/body part, your natural instinct will roll you over or off the area of pain as pressure builds up. Proper alignment prevents joint pain and relieves this pressure.
Spinal misalignments are a typical root cause of improper posture, pain, and discomfort. Chiropractic adjustments align the joints/spine, restoring correct posture, reducing pressure, and removing pain. Dr. Ressler’s chiropractic method sets him apart from other Oviedo chiropractors. Dr. Ressler uses a chiropractic method called the “activator technique.” The activator technique involves a specialized spring-loaded adjusting device that adjusts each joint individually. With no twisting or cracking involved, the activator technique is very gentle and effective.
Although chiropractic care alleviates these symptoms, you may need a new mattress and/or pillow to fully address your sleeping issues. Dr. Ressler is a chiropractor in Oviedo, FL with over 24 years of experience helping patients improve the quality of their sleep. He uses a whole picture approach when it comes to treating sleep conditions. After he has assessed your posture and sleeping position, he might recommend an appropriate style of mattress and/or pillow to completely solve your sleeping problems. A lot of times it is making very simple, no cost changes to the existing pillow. Dr. Ressler tells patients in his chiropractic Oviedo clinic, “if you wake up with low back pain on a consistent basis, it might be time to get a new mattress.” Typically, feeling discomfort when people first wake up means the mattress has wear patterns and is getting too old.
Purchasing a new mattress is a major decision. You spend 1/3 of your life sleeping so it is important to make the right choice. Deciding between the main types of mattresses often is based on a person’s particular preference. Oviedo chiropractors that are highly trained like Dr. Ressler can give great recommendations on choosing a quality mattress. The best way to test a mattress is to lay on it and simply see how it feels. Do you sink down too far? Does it feel like you are laying on a concrete slab? In general, you want to look at the thickness of the coils and how many coils are in the mattress. The more coils the more support the mattress has. The thicker the coils are the firmer the bed is. Dr. Ressler says, “one rule to always remember is that you can fix a firm bed to make it softer by adding a pillow topper, but you can’t make a soft bed firmer.” So, it is better to error on the side of firmer. However, he recommends avoiding excessive pillow top mattresses that have 3-to-5-inch thickness, these make your spine sag due to lack of support. Instead opt for a pillow top mattress that is 1-to-2-inch thickness. You also want to invest in a mattress that supports your spine without creating pressure points. Dr. Ressler only recommends a two-sided mattress that you can flip and rotate is a wonderful way to prevent wear patterns and extend the life.
In addition to a new mattress, Dr. Ressler might recommend a new pillow too. With so many options like foam, water-filled, and feathers, choosing the right pillow may be confusing. The key to a good pillow is not so much the material it is made of, but the thickness or width. A pillow that has proper support to keep your head in a neutral position throughout the night is best. One reason you may toss and turn throughout the night is due to your head position and pressure points it creates. When the head gets tilted up or down to far, for too long, it will become compressed and start to hurt. That is why you will wake up and shift your body. For instance, if you are a side sleeper, you want to keep your spine in a straight line parallel with the mattress. The width of the pillow should keep your head centered on your shoulders while you are lying on your side. So basically, choose whichever material pillow you like, just make that your head does not tilt down or is angled upward.
Want more information??? Check out our blogs on what kind of mattress and pillow is best for you!
What kind of mattress should I use?
Ultimately, you need to take your time and not rush through your selection. Assess all the different types available, look at the refund policy and don’t let the price dictate your final decision. Oviedo Injury and Wellness Center is here to answer any questions and provide beneficial recommendations to make selecting the perfect mattress and pillow effortless! Remember, sleep deprivation can lead to serious and chronic conditions. If you want to get a full night’s rest and feel your best, don’t hesitate to call our chiropractic Oviedo, FL office today! Call 407-977-5005 or click here to schedule your appointment now!