Symptoms – West University Wellness – Houston, TX

The Surprising Connection: Sleep Apnea and Chiropractic Spinal Alignment

dr.long@westuwellness.com — Wed, 08 Nov 2023 06:42:29 GMT

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Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder that affects millions of people worldwide. It can lead to serious health issues, such as heart disease, hypertension, and daytime fatigue. While the most common treatments for sleep apnea involve lifestyle changes and the use of a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine, some individuals seek alternative approaches to alleviate their symptoms. One such alternative is chiropractic care. In this blog, we'll explore the intriguing relationship between sleep apnea and chiropractic spinal alignment, also known as subluxation.

Understanding Sleep Apnea

Before delving into the connection between sleep apnea and chiropractic care, let's briefly understand what sleep apnea is. Sleep apnea is characterized by periodic interruptions in breathing during sleep. These interruptions, or apneas, can last for seconds to minutes and can occur numerous times throughout the night. The most common type of sleep apnea is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), where the upper airway is partially or completely blocked, leading to disrupted sleep.

Chiropractic Subluxation and Its Role

Chiropractors believe that many health problems, including sleep apnea, can be linked to subluxations in the spine. Subluxations are misalignments or restrictions in the vertebrae that may affect the function of the nervous system. Chiropractors aim to correct these subluxations through spinal adjustments, which are non-invasive procedures designed to bring the spine back into alignment.

The Connection

So, how does chiropractic spinal alignment relate to sleep apnea? It's all about the nervous system. The nervous system plays a crucial role in regulating the muscles responsible for keeping the airway open during sleep. When there are subluxations in the spine, it can interfere with the proper functioning of the nervous system.

Chiropractic adjustments aim to restore the spine's natural alignment, potentially reducing nerve interference. This can lead to improved communication between the nervous system and the muscles involved in maintaining open airways. While chiropractic care is not a standalone treatment for sleep apnea, some individuals have reported positive outcomes and a reduction in sleep apnea symptoms after receiving regular chiropractic adjustments.

It's important to note that the effectiveness of chiropractic care in treating sleep apnea may vary from person to person. Moreover, it should be considered as a complementary therapy rather than a primary treatment method. Consulting with a healthcare professional is essential to develop a comprehensive plan for managing sleep apnea.

Conclusion

The relationship between sleep apnea and chiropractic spinal alignment is an intriguing one. While chiropractic care may offer potential benefits by addressing subluxations in the spine and improving nervous system function, it should be approached as part of a holistic approach to managing sleep apnea. If you or a loved one is considering chiropractic care as part of your sleep apnea management, consult with a healthcare provider to ensure that it is a safe and appropriate addition to your treatment plan. Remember that individual experiences with chiropractic care may vary, and the effectiveness of such treatment can depend on several factors unique to each person's condition.

Whiplash

Wed, 22 Mar 2023 03:15:00 GMT

Chiropractic has been a blessing to millions of people who have had whiplash injuries .

Whiplash takes place when a person’s spine, usually their head and neck, is thrown very quickly in one direction and then rebounded in the opposite direction. It may also happen from side-to-side or when the neck is rotated
This sudden and unnatural movement can lead to nerve, joint, ligament, tendon, muscle, and disc stress, irritation, or damage. Chiropractors call this vertebral subluxation
What’s worse is that these vertebral subluxations can reverse the natural curve of the cervical spine and can persist in the spine for many years before the patient even feels any pain
Chiropractors use tests such as x-rays, MRI, muscle and temperature scans, neurological, and orthopedic tests to determine if a patient is suffering from whiplash
Although it may take a while to heal from this type of injury, chiropractic care has an excellent rate of success in treating this condition

That is why at West U Wellness each patient receives a thorough examination after any type of injury.

Age is just a Number

Tue, 12 Mar 2019 22:58:39 GMT

Do you think that pain is inevitable as you age? Think again!

Just because you are 60+, it doesn’t mean you should be suffering from chronic pain.

Targeted exercises can relieve you of pain and enable you to lead an active life. This can slow the aging process and help relieve other signs of aging.

Treating Injuries with Tape

website@sitemodify.com (Website Editor) — Tue, 12 Mar 2019 22:56:39 GMT

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Kinesiology tape, also known as kinesio tape, is a stretchy, elastic tape that is almost identical to human skin. It can help you treat a wide range of sports injuries and control inflammatory conditions.

Physio during Pregnancy

website@sitemodify.com (Website Editor) — Tue, 12 Mar 2019 22:53:36 GMT

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Your pregnant body goes through a lot of changes in a short period of time. Physiotherapy can help you with a thorough assessment of your posture, pelvis, pelvic floor and abdominals, and give you pointers on how to get feel like yourself again.

Treating Swimmers

website@sitemodify.com (Website Editor) — Tue, 12 Mar 2019 22:51:54 GMT

While swimming remains one of the most injury-free sports around, swimming injuries do happen

While swimming remains one of the most injury-free sports around, swimming injuries do happen, due to repetition and other factors. Treating injuries early, before they become serious, is critical for ensuring that you can continue doing the sport you love.

Breech Babies

Thu, 31 Dec 2015 02:17:00 GMT

Chiropractic care can be effective for breech babies.

Breech babies are those that are positioned feet-first in the womb instead of head-first.

While chiropractors cannot turn breech babies directly, they can help by gently adjusting a mother's spine and pelvis back into a proper balanced state. This reestablishes normal physiological function and allows the baby to find the best possible position for birth.

One technique used by chiropractors is called the Webster Technique. It is a specific chiropractic analysis and adjustment that reduces interference to the nervous system and balances maternal pelvic muscles and ligaments. This can lead to a safer, easier birth outcome.

Chiropractic care can be effective for breech babies.

A study published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics showed an 82% success rate for specially trained chiropractors turning breech babies head-down. Chiropractors don't turn breech babies directly, but they can help facilitate a baby's ability to turn into the right position before birth by creating a more functional environment.

How long does it take for Webster Technique to work?

The time it takes for Webster Technique to work can vary. It is suggested that beginning the seventh month of pregnancy, a mother should be evaluated with the Webster Technique to minimize the potential for intrauterine constraint. Visits may go weekly or per patient needs in the last 4 to 6 weeks. The frequency of care for the Webster Technique is dependent upon when the constraint position is first discovered.

More about Webster Technique.

The Webster Technique is a specific chiropractic analysis and adjustment that reduces interference to the nervous system and balances maternal pelvic muscles and ligaments. This can lead to a safer, easier birth outcome. The goal of the adjustment is to reduce the effects of subluxation and/or sacroiliac joint dysfunction, improving neurobiomechanical function in the sacral/pelvic region.

It was first developed in 1986 by Larry Webster, D.C., founder of the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (ICPA).

Source: Conversation with Bing, (713) 490-2225

About the Webster Technique. https://icpa4kids.com/training/webster-certification/webster-technique/ Accessed (713) 490-2225.
Webster Technique - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Webster_Technique Accessed (713) 490-2225.
Technique Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/technique Accessed (713) 490-2225.
How Chiropractic Care Can Help With Breech Babies - Kids in the House. https://www.kidsinthehouse.com/pregnancy/preparation/babys-position/how-chiropractic-care-can-re-position-breech-babies Accessed (713) 490-2225.
Chiropractic Care During Pregnancy. https://americanpregnancy.org/healthy-pregnancy/pregnancy-health-wellness/chiropractic-care-during-pregnancy/ Accessed (713) 490-2225.
Chiropractic for Breech Babies? - Integrated Physical Medicine. https://www.integratedpainandrehab.com/chiropractic-for-breech-babies/ Accessed (713) 490-2225.
Can Chiropractors Turn a Breech Baby? - Pathways to Family Wellness. https://pathwaystofamilywellness.org/Chiropractic/can-chiropractors-turn-breech-babies.html Accessed (713) 490-2225.
Webster Technique for Breech Babies: Benefits and Risks - Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/pregnancy/webster-technique Accessed (713) 490-2225.
About the Webster Technique - ICPA. https://icpa4kids.com/training/webster-certification/webster-technique/ Accessed (713) 490-2225.

Shoulder Injuries

Sat, 10 Oct 2015 03:10:00 GMT

Many patients have suffered from sprains and strains of the shoulder complex and rotator cuff. There are actually many more muscles and ligaments that can cause shoulder pain.

Stress

Sat, 10 Oct 2015 03:10:00 GMT

Emotional stress can have devastating consequences on the nervous and immune system. It oftentimes causes even more vertebral subluxations.

Scoliosis

Sat, 10 Oct 2015 03:09:00 GMT

Having been diagnosed with scoliosis as a teenager, Dr. Long is very familiar with scoliosis (abnormal lateral curvature of the spine) and its effects on the body.

Neck Pain

Sat, 10 Oct 2015 03:09:00 GMT

Oftentimes people who work at computers or who keep their eyes focused on one spot for a long time (such as those who have long commutes to work) will develop neck pain.

Low Back Pain

Sat, 10 Oct 2015 03:07:00 GMT

80% of all Americans will experience low back pain sometime in their lives, and $2 billion is spent each year on this condition.

Headaches

Sat, 10 Oct 2015 03:07:00 GMT

Have you ever experienced the throbbing, pulsing, pounding, sometimes debilitating pain of a headache or a migraine? We have successfully treated many types of headaches!