Can Chiropractic Care Help with Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a common and serious condition that disrupts sleep and impacts a person’s health in a negative way. Some of the symptoms include interruptions in breathing during sleep, fatigue, mood swings, and even long-term issues like high blood pressure and heart disease. 

While a lot of people utilize CPAP machines or other medical devices for sleep apnea relief, some are searching for a less conventional avenue and that’s where chiropractic care comes in.

So, can chiropractic care help with sleep apnea? Read on to find out more information about how spinal alignment and other types of holistic wellness may play a role in helping with sleep apnea. 

Understanding Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea comes in two primary forms:

• Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA): This is the more common type and occurs when throat muscles relax and block the airway.
• Central Sleep Apnea: This occurs when the brain fails to send proper signals to the muscles that control breathing.

Both types can disrupt sleep patterns and lead to oxygen deprivation during the night. Symptoms often include loud snoring, gasping for air, morning headaches, and excessive daytime sleepiness. Conventional treatments like CPAP machines and lifestyle changes are effective, but they aren’t the only solutions.

The Connection Between Chiropractic Care and Sleep Apnea

Chiropractic care focuses on spinal health and the nervous system. Since the spine plays a critical role in communication between the brain and the rest of the body, misalignments—or subluxations—can cause disruptions in various bodily functions, including breathing.

For those with sleep apnea, chiropractic adjustments may provide benefits in the following ways:

1. Improving Nervous System Function

The nervous system controls breathing and muscle function, including the muscles in the throat and airway. If spinal misalignments in the cervical region (neck) interfere with nerve signals, it could exacerbate breathing issues. Chiropractic care aims to correct these misalignments, optimizing nerve communication and potentially reducing airway blockages.

2. Relieving Tension in Surrounding Muscles

Tight muscles around the neck and shoulders can contribute to restricted airflow during sleep. Chiropractic adjustments, combined with soft tissue therapy, can help alleviate tension, promoting better airway function.

3. Enhancing Posture

Poor posture, especially forward head posture, can compress the airway and worsen sleep apnea symptoms. Chiropractors address postural issues through adjustments and exercises, which may improve airway alignment and breathing during sleep.

What to Expect From Chiropractic Sleep Apnea Treatment

If you’re considering chiropractic care for sleep apnea, here’s what you can expect during your visits:

1. Assessment: Your chiropractor will evaluate your medical history, sleep apnea diagnosis, and spinal alignment to identify areas of concern. They may also ask about lifestyle factors like stress and posture that could be contributing to your symptoms.
2. Customized Treatment Plan: Treatment may include spinal adjustments to target misalignments, soft tissue therapy to release tension, and postural exercises to improve alignment.
3. Lifestyle Recommendations: Chiropractors often take a holistic approach, offering tips on sleep hygiene, stress management, and nutrition to support better sleep.
4. Collaborative Care: If necessary, your chiropractor may work alongside your primary healthcare provider or sleep specialist to create a comprehensive treatment plan.

How Effective Is Chiropractic Care for Sleep Apnea?

While chiropractic care cannot cure sleep apnea, it may complement traditional treatments like CPAP machines or oral appliances. Some studies suggest that spinal adjustments can improve airway function and reduce symptoms in people with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea. Additionally, chiropractic care often enhances overall wellness, which can indirectly support better sleep.

Here are a few benefits patients have reported:

• Reduced snoring
• Fewer episodes of waking up gasping for air
• Improved energy levels during the day
• Better sleep quality

Additional Tips for Managing Sleep Apnea

Chiropractic care is most effective when paired with other healthy habits. If you have sleep apnea, consider these additional strategies:

• Maintain a Healthy Weight: Excess weight, particularly around the neck, can narrow the airway and worsen sleep apnea symptoms.
• Sleep on Your Side: Back sleeping can exacerbate airway blockages, while side sleeping often promotes better airflow.
• Avoid Alcohol and Sedatives: These can relax throat muscles and contribute to airway obstruction.
• Stay Consistent with CPAP Use: If you’ve been prescribed a CPAP machine, continue using it as recommended.

When to See a Chiropractor

If you have sleep apnea and are curious about how chiropractic care might help, consult with a chiropractor who specializes in holistic wellness. They can evaluate your condition and recommend a tailored plan to address your needs. 

Keep in mind that chiropractic care works best as part of a comprehensive approach to managing sleep apnea.

The Bottom Line

Chiropractic care may offer a natural, non-invasive way to support better breathing and improve symptoms of sleep apnea. By addressing spinal alignment, relieving muscle tension, and optimizing nervous system function, chiropractic sleep apnea treatments can complement traditional therapies and help you sleep more soundly.

If you’re tired of restless nights and want to explore alternative solutions, consider visiting Oviedo Chiropractic.

With a focus on whole-body wellness, we might just help you take a deeper breath and get a better night’s sleep. Call us today.