The exercise topic of
the month is…sleep?! Weird? Not at all! Sleep is just as vital
as exercise for pain management including management for back
pain. Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka helps many Sitka
pain sufferers manage their spine, neck, and back pain with chiropractic spinal manipulation, nutrition advice, and exercise direction. Sleep – adequate
sleep – is included in that list for a good reason!
CONTROLLING BACK PAIN
Since low back pain often is a condition
for life that is sporadic, a condition
that is managed rather than cured, it’s a good
thing that researchers are looking into just how a back pain
sufferer can control the Sitka back pain and how
often it ‘rears its head.' Ask any back
pain sufferer and you’ll know that warding off a pain episode is a goal. But how? Researchers are looking
at sleep, fatigue, emotion, and more to find out. Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka
shares the term “flare” as it relates to
a back pain episode.
BACK PAIN FLARE
A Sitka low back pain flare is one that consists
of intensified pain,
paresthesia, or muscle tension, increased 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, so
healthcare professionals need to look beyond the pain to know
what else is influencing the pain event, what
psychosocial factors are involved. (1,2) The mind-body connection
cannot always be ignored! Nor can the time of day
that pain is felt.
PAIN: MORNING NOON AND NIGHT
Patients suffering with low back pain for over 3 months were studied to see what might trigger a new episode of their pain. Researchers discovered
that poor sleep quality and morning pain were threats for such
flare-ups. Increased pain risk grew with days of more afternoon and
evening pain, fatigue, and fear of activity. Sleep is suggested
to decrease the intensity, frequency, and risk of back pain flares.
(3) The quality of sleep
also plays a role in how Sitka 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 associated with
sleep problems. (4) Sleep, perceived stress, and anxiety play a
role in chronic low back pain. Luckily, sleep quality is able to mediate anxiety, making sleep a practical
recommendation in the treatment plan. (5)
CONTACT Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka
Listen to this PODCAST
with Dr. Ted Siciliano on The
Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he discusses
his use of Cox® Technic Flexion Distraction to ease arm pain and numbness that was keeping
him from getting sleep.
Set up your Sitka
chiropractic appointment soon. Let’s talk sleep
next time you are in for a visit!