Recent research reported in the Annals of Vertebral Subluxation Research on a man with insomnia reveals that chiropractic may play an important role in managing these patients. The literature included supports the role of chiropractic in adults suffering from related health challenges and calls for more research in this area.
“Numerous case studies and some clinical studies are revealing that there is a relationship between abnormalities in the spine and the nervous system” stated Dr. Matthew McCoy, a chiropractor, public health researcher and editor of the journal that published the study.
McCoy added “In the case report presented, the man had a decade-long history of insomnia that improved significantly under chiropractic care because of the nature of the nervous system and its relationship to the spine. The outcomes are promising, showing chiropractic care can assist in alleviating sleep disturbances, thereby improving overall life quality for our aging population.”
According to researchers the nervous system controls and coordinates all functions of the body and structural shifts in the spine can occur that obstruct the nerves and interfere with their function. By removing the structural shifts, chiropractic improves nerve supply and function.
The 69-year-old man reported on in the study had been suffering from insomnia for over a decade. His sleep was often broken by waking up multiple times throughout the night. This poor sleep quality negatively impacted his daily function. He also had complaints of neck pain.
The chiropractor examined him and found structural shifts in his neck and upper back. Restricted range of motion and postural changes, and restricted range of motion were noted. These structural shifts can lead to obstruction of the nerves and it is this obstruction, called vertebral subluxations, that chiropractors correct.
Following chiropractic adjustments, his neck pain resolved and his sleep improved as he began to enjoy hours of uninterrupted sleep.
The study’s author called for additional research to investigate the clinical implications of chiropractic in adults with insomnia and how it impacts sleep quality.
To learn more about this study and chiropractic research visit, Vertebral Subluxation Research.
