Call us to set up an appointment! 765.962.9900

Richmond Back Pain Benefits from Good Sleep

Exercise tip of the month: sleep. Odd? Not at all! Sleep is just as important as exercise for pain management including management for back pain. Johnson Chiropractic helps many Richmond pain sufferers manage their spine, neck, and back pain with chiropractic spinal manipulation, nutrition advice, and exercise direction. Sleep – adequate sleep – is added to that list for a good reason!

CONTROLLING BACK PAIN

Since low back pain often is a condition for life that comes and goes, a condition that is managed rather than cured, it is a positive thing that researchers are studying just how a back pain sufferer can take charge of the Richmond back pain and how often it ‘rears its head.' Question any back pain sufferer and you’ll know that warding off a pain episode is an objective. But how? Researchers are looking at sleep, fatigue, emotion, and more to find out. Johnson Chiropractic shares the term “flare” as it relates to a back pain episode.

BACK PAIN FLARE

A Richmond low back pain flare is one that incorporates increased pain, paresthesia, or muscle tension, longer duration of symptoms, decreased functional (social, cognitive, physical), and negative emotions. Researchers found that back pain sufferers don’t describe their back pain to be a flare just because of increased pain, therefore healthcare professionals need to look past the pain to see what else is happening around the pain event, what psychosocial factors are involved. (1,2) The mind-body connection can’t always be overlooked! Nor can the time of day that pain is felt.

PAIN: MORNING NOON AND NIGHT

Patients dealing with low back pain for over 3 months were studied to see what might precipitate a new episode of their pain. Researchers found that poor sleep quality and morning pain were threats for such flare-ups. Increased pain risk rose with days of more afternoon and evening pain, fatigue, and fear of activity. Sleep is recommended to decrease the intensity, frequency, and risk of back pain flares.  (3) Sleep quality also plays a role in how Richmond back pain is felt.

SLEEP QUALITY

A study of sleep quality in older adults in six middle-income countries found that women experienced more sleep problems. Additionally, age, depression, low back pain, and poor self-rated health were also significantly linked to sleep problems. (4) Sleep, perceived stress, and anxiety contribute to chronic low back pain. Fortunately, sleep quality is capable of mediating anxiety, making sleep a practical recommendation in the treatment plan. (5)

CONTACT Johnson Chiropractic

Listen to this PODCAST with Dr. Ted Siciliano on The Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he describes his use of Cox® Technic Flexion Distraction to ease arm pain and numbness that was keeping him from getting sleep.

Make your Richmond chiropractic appointment soon. Let us talk sleep next time you are in for a visit!

 
Johnson Chiropractic shares research that says good sleep helps keep back pain at bay.  
« View All Featured Exercises
"This information and website content is not intended to diagnose, guarantee results, or recommend specific treatment or activity. It is designed to educate and inform only. Please consult your physician for a thorough examination leading to a diagnosis and well-planned treatment strategy. See more details on the DISCLAIMER page. Content is reviewed by Dr. James M. Cox I."