What is Insomnia?

Insomnia is a sleep disorder characterized by the inability to fall or remain asleep. The body requires sleep for every essential process, such as keeping the immune system working, the metabolism functioning, and the brain focused. Sleep disruption can cause a host of physiological conditions. 

For some people, insomnia is a result of stress, an unhealthy lifestyle, illness, injury, or medication. For others, the problem could be rooted in a misalignment of the upper cervical spine. 

Signs and Symptoms of Insomnia

Everyone has difficulty sleeping on occasion, but if one experiences three or more nights of disrupted sleep per week over a period of at least three months, doctors may diagnose that person with chronic insomnia. 

People with insomnia usually have trouble falling asleep at night. Others can fall asleep but have difficulty staying asleep for long. Sufferers of insomnia will generally find themselves weary in the daytime. This can lead to an inability to concentrate,  difficulty remembering things, irritability,  or depression. When sleep deprived, we are more prone to clumsiness and accidents. 

How the Upper Cervical Spine Can Cause Insomnia

The vertebrae that form the upper cervical spine run from the base of the skull, down the neck, and into the upper back. When these vertebrae are misaligned, they can cause swelling and pinched nerves that disrupt the signals traveling along the nerves between the brainstem and the central nervous system. This can interfere with the body’s hormonal activity, and the body relies on certain hormones to trigger the natural sleeping and waking rhythm.

A misalignment of the upper cervical spine can also cause inflammation and discomfort that simply makes it too uncomfortable to lay down. This part of the spine is very sensitive to misalignments, and minor injuries or jolts to the neck and head can easily cause misalignments that trigger a domino effect. 

How Our Upper Cervical Treatment Works

Dr. Christina Coblish and Dr. Ryan Moeskau of Upper Cervical Chiropractic of Boulder specialize in the Blair Chiropractic Technique, which realigns the spine, reduces inflammation and discomfort, and reopens the pathways required for the brain to communicate with the central nervous system. 

Our doctors are trained in the Blair Chiropractic Technique, which starts with advanced 3D imaging to assess the problem and precisely pinpoints the misalignments. Then, using minimal pressure and gentle manipulations, the upper cervical spine is brought back into proper alignment so that the body’s natural healing mechanisms can begin working. The Blair Chiropractic Technique is a safe, drug-free, effective way to treat insomnia, bringing relief to our patients so they can finally rest easy. 

If insomnia is interfering with your ability to work and enjoy your life, please get in touch with Dr. Coblish and Dr. Moeskau for an appointment. Located in Boulder, Colorado, Upper Cervical Chiropractic of Boulder also services Broomfield, Denver, Erie, Lafayette, Longmont, and Louisville.