Insomnia: A Natural and Alternative Treatment

What is Insomnia? 

Insomnia is a condition characterized by disrupted sleep patterns. This usually manifests as a difficulty in falling asleep, staying asleep, or both. Left untreated, insomnia can lead to a host of negative health consequences, including fatigue, poor concentration, increased stress, and depression. 

It’s not uncommon for people to start looking for a natural insomnia treatment when they’ve spent years on sleeping pills with no relief. The side effects of sleeping pills can be brutal and their efficacy is not always guaranteed. For this reason alone, natural treatments for insomnia are worth consideration.

Insomnia is a symptom, not a disease in itself. It’s a symptom of a problem in the body, usually a problem in the nervous system. Upper cervical chiropractic care can help with a wide range of musculoskeletal and neurological issues, and it’s a natural way of dealing with the root cause of insomnia.

Signs and Symptoms of Insomnia

There are many signs of insomnia. Some of the most common include difficulty falling asleep, waking up frequently during the night, waking up feeling tired, and waking up feeling groggy the next day. 

How the Upper Cervical Spine Effects Insomnia

Chiropractors are trained in identifying the root cause of problems in the body, and upper cervical chiropractic care can be extremely effective for insomnia. This is because the upper cervical spine is closely connected to the central nervous system. It supports the brain stem, which is responsible for a range of basic functions in the body, including breathing, hormone regulation, heart rate rhythm, and nervous system sensitivity.

When the upper cervical spine is out of alignment, it can put pressure on the nerve roots of the spinal cord, which can cause nerve irritation and inflammation. This will not only lead to discomfort when lying down, but it can also disrupt the proper function of sleep-regulating hormone receptors, such as serotonin and dopamine, causing sleep fragmentation, headaches, and insomnia. 

How Our Insomnia Treatment Works

One of the first things we do when we start treating a patient for insomnia is to identify the root cause of the problem. To do so, our expert chiropractor, Dr. Hoefer, will use digital X-rays and cone-beam computed tomography to scan your spine and identify areas of subluxation. 

If a misalignment is detected, Dr. Hoefer will perform a full upper cervical chiropractic adjustment to restore the spine’s natural alignment. The adjustment will reduce pressure on the nerve roots and ligaments of the spine, which will in turn relieve pressure on the back, restore proper function to the central nervous system, and alleviate insomnia symptoms. 

If you want a natural and alternative solution to your insomnia, we can help! Dr. Hoefer services patients in Orange County, including Anaheim, Rancho Santa Margarita, Dana Point, San Clemente, Costa Mesa, Huntington Beach, Irvine, Laguna Niguel, Mission Viejo, Newport Beach, and Santa Ana.