What’s standing between you and a good night’s sleep?

Sleep. It’s the time that our bodies use to heal, rest, nourish and replenish. Yet, for approximately 75% of Americans, sleep proves to be difficult and the lack of rest can have a big impact on your overall health. General fatigue and grogginess is common, but lack of sleep also increases the risk of hypertension, stroke, and heart attack. Lack of sleep also takes its toll on your relationships, job performance and your general ability to enjoy daily life. Michael J. Breus, PhD, aka, The Sleep Doctor, told WebMD, “Whether you’re prepping for a test, starting a new job, coping with difficult circumstances, or just want to feel more agile of mind, the prescription is the same: get some sleep!”

So what are some common conditions that get in the way of a good night’s sleep and what are the remedies?

Chronic Pain

Aside from insomnia and other sleep disorders, we have found that chronic pain is often cited as interfering with a good night’s sleep and a major contributor to daily fatigue and low energy. Chronic pain can result from various conditions including joint and muscle injuries and spine misalignment. But there is good news for people who suffer with chronic pain. Chiropractic care, massage and acupuncture are proven, all-natural methods of alleviating chronic pain. Chiropractic care can re-align your joints and skeletal system allowing your body to heal. Massage can encourage circulation and relaxation. And a recent study of acupuncture financed by the National Institutes of Health — the most rigorous and detailed analysis of the treatment to date — found that acupuncture provides true pain relief from conditions like migraines, arthritis and other forms of chronic pain.

Urinary issues

There is nothing worse than falling asleep, only to be woken up several times a night to run to the bathroom. More than half of women deal with bladder issues, and it’s increased 30 percent in men. Aging, hormone changes, pregnancy, childbirth, physical stress (e.g., rigorous exercise) all play roles, but so do other factors such as obesity, diabetes and the increase in radiation and surgery for prostate cancer. Of the approximate 156,000 men that have potentially life-saving prostate cancer surgery each year – 80 percent leak for at least 6 months and up to 65 percent still have incontinence issues after 5 years. Overactive bladders, or bladder muscle spasms, are also quite common with as many men suffering as women. Chiropractic and acupuncture can take pressure off of the nerves and restore proper blood flow to the supportive tissues that allow for improved bladder control and a more restful night’s sleep.

Stress

There. We said it. The “S” word – Stress. Stress is a part of all of our daily lives, but without effective stress management tools, many of us lie awake at night or find ourselves in the wee hours of the morning with our eyes wide open and our minds racing with what needs to get done. It doesn’t have to be this way. There are many tools available to help manage stress including regular massage, counseling and life coaching. Massage allows you to give yourself a break, relax and restore with the gentle power of healing touch. Counseling can help you work through issues that are causing stress, and life coaching can help you establish a more balanced lifestyle – where you can manage your stress in a healthy way.

Relief is a phone call away

Many of us suffer with these and other conditions that interfere with our ability to get a good night’s rest. The good news is that help is available – all natural, prescription free, and in one convenient location. At Essential Mind and Body, we offer chiropractic, massage, acupuncture, nutrition, counseling and life coaching. Don’t lose another night’s sleep. On your initial visit you will receive a free 30-day supply of our most effective, all natural sleep supplement. Call today for an appointment or visit our website to learn more.

Yours in goof health,

Dr. Robert Koch