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How Acupuncture Affects Melatonin

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Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medicine practice that involves the insertion of thin needles into specific points on the to stimulate energy flow and promote healing. One of the key ways in which acupuncture can help improve sleep quality is by regulating melatonin production, a hormone that plays a crucial role in the sleep-wake cycle. In this blog post, we will how acupuncture influences melatonin levels to enhance sleep quality, ultimately leading to better rest and overall well-being.

Understanding Melatonin and Its Role in Sleep

Melatonin is a hormone produced by the pineal gland in response to darkness, signaling the body that it is time to sleep. Low levels of melatonin can result in difficulties falling asleep and staying asleep, leading to poor sleep quality and daytime fatigue. Acupuncture can help regulate production by targeting specific acupoints related to the pineal gland and circadian rhythms.

The Link Between Acupuncture and Melatonin Production

Studies have shown that acupuncture can increase melatonin levels in the body, promoting more consistent and restful sleep patterns. A study published in the Journal of Neuropsychiatry & Clinical Neurosciences found that acupuncture treatment led to a increase in levels in patients with insomnia. The researchers observed improvements in sleep latency, duration, and overall sleep quality following acupuncture.

Scientific Research on Acupuncture and Sleep Quality

Acupuncture works by stimulating specific acupoints along energy pathways, known asidians, to rebalance the body’s energy flow and promote overall health. By targeting acupoints related to the pineal gland, acupuncturists can regulate melatonin production and support a healthy sleep-wake cycle. This can lead to more restorative sleep, improved mood, and enhanced cognitive.

Additional Benefits of Acupuncture for Sleep and Well-Being

In addition to increasing melatonin levels, acupuncture can also help reduce stress and anxiety, two common factors that can interfere with the body’s natural sleep patterns. By promoting relaxation and reducing tension, acupuncture can create a more conducive environment for sleep, allowing individuals to fall asleep more easily and stay asleep throughout the night.

Incorporating Acupuncture into Your Sleep Routine

Overall, ability to regulate melatonin levels can have a profound impact on sleep quality and overall well-being. By addressing imbalances in melatonin production and promoting relaxation, acupuncture can help individuals achieve better sleep patterns and wake up feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. If you’re struggling with sleep issues due to low melatonin levels, consider incorporating acupuncture into your wellness routine to experience the transformative benefits of better sleep.

To learn more about acupuncture in Edmonton, check out our clinic @ ocwc.ca.

Better Sleep With Acupuncture

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How Acupuncture Supports Sleep

Acupuncture has long been recognized as a potent healing modality in traditional Chinese medicine, with a wide range of benefits extending beyond pain relief to include improvements in sleep quality. One of the key ways in which acupuncture can help enhance better rest quality is through its ability to regulate hormone production. In this blog post, we will explore how acupuncture influences hormone activity in the body to promote better rest @ night.

The Role of Melatonin

Melatonin, often referred to as the “sleep hormone,” plays a crucial role in regulating our sleep-wake cycle. hormone is produced by the pineal gland in to darkness, signaling to the body that it’s time to rest. However, disruptions in melatonin production can lead to difficulties falling asleep and staying asleep. Acupuncture has been shown to help melatonin levels, thereby promoting more consistent and restful patterns. By targeting specific acupuncture points related to the pineal gland and circadian rhythms, acupuncturists can stimulate the production of melatonin, leading to improved quality of rest.

Managing Cortisol

Cortisol, known as the stress hormone,” plays a significant role in our body’s response to stress and anxiety. Elevated cortisol levels, especially in the evening, can disrupt sleep and lead to poor quality of rest. Acupuncture has been found to lower cortisol levels by activating the parasympathetic nervous system, also known as the “rest and digest” mode. By promoting relaxation and reducing stress, acupuncture can help to regulate cortisol production, creating a more conducive environment for restful nights.

The Connection Between Acupuncture and Serotonin

Another hormone that acupuncture can influence is serotonin, often referred to as the “feel-good hormone.” Serotonin plays a vital role in mood regulation, anxiety reduction, and overall well-being. Acupuncture has been shown to increase serotonin levels, leading to a sense of calm and relaxation that can improve sleep quality. By targeting specific acupuncture points related to serotonin production, acupuncturists can help balance this hormone, enhancing quality rest and promoting a sense of relaxation.

Scientific Research on Acupuncture for Better Sleep

Research studies support the benefits of acupuncture in regulating hormones to improve quality of rest. A study published in the Journal of Sleep Medicine and Disorders found that acupuncture significantly increased melatonin levels in patients with insomnia, leading to improvements in sleep latency and duration. Another study published in the Journal of Psychosomatic Research demonstrated that acupuncture reduced cortisol levels and improved sleep quality in individuals with anxiety-related disturbances.

Incorporating Acupuncture into Your Sleep Routine

Acupuncture’s ability to regulate hormone activity, including melatonin, cortisol, and serotonin, can play a vital role in improving sleep quality. By addressing hormonal imbalances and promoting relaxation, acupuncture can help individuals achieve better patterns and overall well-being. If you’re struggling with the above issues, consider incorporating acupuncture into your wellness routine to experience the transformative benefits of a good night’s rest.

Lower Back Pain chiropractic benefits

How Chiropractic Can Improve Your Sleep

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Most people know that a chiropractor can help with musculoskeletal problems, such as backaches and slipped discs, but many people do not realize that chiropractic can do much more. In fact, chiropractic can even improve your sleep.

Getting enough quality sleep each night is good for your health. Not getting enough sleep can increase your risk of developing obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and other serious conditions, according to Harvard Medical School.

But what if you allow yourself plenty of time but still have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep?

Chiropractic can help you sleep. In fact, one-third of people who undergo chiropractic adjustment report sleeping better immediately, according to the National Sleep Foundation.

3 Ways Chiropractic Might Improve Your Sleep

1. Pain relief

Pain can prevent you from getting a decent night’s sleep, especially if you have chronic pain that lasts for three or more months. In fact, one study shows that 20 percent of people with chronic pain experience at least one symptom of insomnia, compared with only 7.4 percent of people without chronic pain. Chiropractic can alleviate pain associated with backaches, headaches, whiplash, migraines and more to help you get the sleep you need.

Chiropractic can also help you sleep by providing a drug-free approach to pain relief. Many prescription pain relievers, such as those containing morphine, oxycodone and opioids, can make you drowsy throughout the day. Daytime drowsiness might cause you to take naps throughout the day, which can interfere with your ability to sleep at night. The drug-free approach of chiropractic allows you to stay alert all day and sleep well at night.

Extensive research presented by the National Institutes of Health shows that chiropractic is as effective as other treatments, such as drugs, at relieving pain. Perhaps the best part of chiropractic is that the research shows that the pain relief lasts up to 18 months of treatment – which means you can remain pain-free without using drugs for a year and a half.

2. Relieves muscle tension and stress

Stress can prevent you from falling asleep or sleeping well. Stress can also cause uncomfortable muscle tension that interferes with sleep. The National Sleep Foundation lists muscle tension as one of the three signs that you are under too much stress to sleep. Tension and poor sleep can be a vicious cycle, as tension can cause poor sleep and poor sleep can cause tension.

Chiropractic often includes massage to melt away painful muscle spasms. These therapeutic massages are relaxing, which helps you unwind enough to fall asleep. Chiropractic also stimulates blood flow, which helps bring oxygen to your brain and other parts of your body.

Your chiropractor may also be able to suggest gentle exercises, stretches and relaxation techniques to help you relax tense muscles and quiet your stressed-out mind.

3. Suggested sleeping positions

Your chiropractor may offer suggestions on sleeping positions and other ideas about how you can sleep better. Your chiropractor may discourage you from sleeping on your stomach if you are having back pain, for example, or be able to recommend a particular pillow or mattress to help you sleep better at night.

For more information on how chiropractic can improve your sleep, talk with your chiropractor.  Check out our website @ ocwc.ca to learn more about our office. You may start sleeping better as soon as your first visit.

Chiropractic Benefits

Why Chiropractic Should Be A Part of Your Everyday Life

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Most people don’t even think about visiting a chiropractor until they’ve sustained an injury or need a quick adjustment to help ease pain. They typically see it as a treatment for injuries or conditions that they’ve already sustained, not as a preventative health care option. And while chiropractic care is an exceptional way to treat existing conditions and injuries, that is only half of the picture. It is also a viable health care approach that is effective in improving overall wellness. There are some very compelling reasons to incorporate chiropractic into your everyday life. Chiropractic can:

Help lower your risk of injury

When the spine is out of alignment it can put stress on other parts of the body including ligaments and joints. Regular chiropractic care helps keep the spine aligned thus reducing your risk of injury.

Elevate your mood

Chiropractic treatment can help to balance your hormones. It increases the feel-good hormone dopamine while decreasing the stress hormone cortisol. This makes it an exceptional drug free option for patients who suffer with anxiety, depression, or mood swings. As part of your treatment you chiropractor may also recommend dietary and lifestyle changes that can help even more.

Make you feel more energetic

When your spine is out of alignment your entire body suffers. You can feel stiff, sore, and fatigues. Most patients report feeling invigorated after their treatment. They can move easier and have much more energy. Part of this is due to the effect the treatment has on the body as well as the hormones that are released that provide a boost in your mood.

Help you sleep better

More than 60 percent of people in the United States, both children and adults, report having problems with sleep. Studies show that chiropractic can actually help with insomnia allowing you to get better, more restful, and more beneficial sleep.

The combination of pain alleviation, increased flexibility, and overall wellness as well as stress relieving properties allow your body and mind to relax so that you can fall asleep easier and stay asleep. Incorporating chiropractic care into your everyday routine can help you get a better night’s sleep.

Strengthen your immune system

Studies show that patients who receive regular chiropractic care have a significantly stronger immune system than patients who don’t see a chiropractor. In fact, one of the most significant studies to date that explored the connection between regular chiropractic care and a strong immune system was conducted by Dr. Ronald Pero, Ph. D. of New York’s Preventive Medicine Institute where he was the chief of cancer research. He was also a professor of medicine at New York University. The study, which spanned several years, found that patients who received chiropractic care on a regular basis had a 200 percent greater immune competence than non-chiropractic patients.

Manage your pain

Chronic pain as well as pain from injuries or certain conditions respond very well to regular chiropractic care. Any type of pain can negatively impact your quality of life, but pain medications can have unpleasant side effects that can be debilitating. It doesn’t help that many pain medications are highly addictive.

Chiropractic treatments offer a natural remedy for pain that is medication free. What’s more, regular treatments work to fix the cause of the problem so that the issue can be permanently resolved.

Make you feel better without medication

Chiropractic treatments are non-invasive and drug free. It uses the body’s own healing properties to naturally address issues and achieve results. It is low risk and very effective, treating the cause of problems, not just the symptoms the way pain medication does.

When you look at all of the benefits of regular chiropractic care and realize that those results can be achieved naturally, it’s easy to see why more people are incorporating it into their regular health care routines.

Mattress

What Chiropractic Patients Want To Know About Selecting A Mattress

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Getting a good night’s sleep is absolutely integral to good spinal health. Sometimes, though that isn’t possible. According to the National Sleep Foundation, 92 percent of people believe that a comfortable mattress is important for good, restful sleep. A bad mattress, or one that is old, or one that is simply wrong for your body can contribute to sleep deprivation, lower back pain, headaches, stiff neck, and anxiety and depression. With so much at stake, it’s easy to see just how important it is to select a good mattress.

Ask about how the Mattress is Made

Learn about the construction of a mattress and what the different components mean for your comfort. Different mattresses have different coils and they are arranged differently. The padding can vary in thickness. The depth of the mattress can range from 7 inches to 18 inches on the average. Understanding the various components of a mattress can make it easier for you to find the one that is right for you.

Look for Comfort as well as Support

A good mattress is comfortable and has good support. Support is good but if you don’t have comfort your mattress won’t be effective.

If a mattress is too firm (too much support) it will cause pain on your body’s pressure points. You want your hips and shoulders to slightly sink into the mattress. However, if you prefer a mattress that is firmer to support your back, you can get one with padding on top.

Don’t let Price be the Determining Factor

You naturally want to get the most for your dollar, but remember that you get what you pay for. A cheap mattress can translate to a poor quality mattress.

Look for quality and value rather than price. If money is an issue, do some comparison shopping to find the mattress you want for the best price.

Sales are another way to save money on your mattress purchase, but look out for advertising gimmicks. Know the meaning of the terms that are used and know what you are looking for before you go for that so-called great deal.

Educate yourself on the Different Mattress Types

Do you want a memory foam mattress or would a latex mattress work better for you? What exactly is an innerspring mattress? Are adjustable beds really all they are cracked up to be? Do some research and brush up on the different types of mattresses so that you can approach your shopping trip with confidence and as an educated consumer. It will definitely work in your favor.

In the end, it’s all about personal preference

There is no mattress that is a one size (or type) fits all. Different people will respond differently to mattresses. The best thing to do is try them out. Spend at least 20 minutes laying on the mattress before you make the decision to purchase or not.

Finally, if you find that your quality of sleep has recently gotten worse, that you are tossing and turning or wake up with pain in your back, neck, or head, it could be time to change your mattress – or pillow. If you can see your mattress sagging, that could be another indication that it is time to get a new one.

Mattresses are designed to withstand a certain degree of wear and tear, but they don’t last forever. The quality of the mattress, the weight that is on the mattress, and other factors contribute to how quickly it wears out. So if you notice any of the warning signs it may be time to get a new mattress so that you can get back to peaceful, restful sleep.

We hope this was helpful! Visit www.ocwc.ca to learn more about our clinic and practitioners!

5 Tips Chiropractic Patients Can Use When Choosing The Perfect Pillow

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Neck pain is nobody’s friend, and it is definitely not an ideal sleeping companion. Pain-filled nights can leave a person dull, groggy, and not ready to face the day in the morning. Unfortunately, certain sleeping positions can further aggravate neck pain to the point it robs a person of a good night’s sleep.

If you suffer from neck pain, the toll it takes on deep sleep isn’t news to you. What may surprise you, however, is choosing the right pillow can make a huge difference in whether you lie awake grumpily watching the clock or snuggle cozily into dream land.

A million pillow choices await you. The first order of business is determining the primary position you sleep in. Certain shapes of pillows cradle the head and neck more comfortably, depending on the sleeping position.

Now that you have determined your favorite sleeping position, you are ready to shop for a new pillow. Be certain to keep these five tips in mind before you settle on your new bed mate.

#1: Ask for a recommendation from your chiropractor.

Before selecting your new pillow, talk to the person who understands the cause of your neck pain, your chiropractor. He or she will give you some valuable pointers on choosing the pillow that will be most beneficial.

#2: Do your research.

Fire up the Internet and search for pillows by your sleeping position. Read the reviews from people who also have neck pain, and see which pillows helped them. Note the pillow name, price, and store that sells it.

#3: Think about the filling.

Pillows are filled with a variety of materials, and you will need to consider which one is right for you. Feather pillows may offer neck comfort, but if you are allergic this is the wrong choice.

Memory foam is a popular choice because of it’s ability to contour to your body’s shape. Give some thought to the type of filling that best suits your sleeping style.

#4: Consider the size.

Pillows should generally be between 4-6 inches in height, and should alleviate the pressure points around your neck and shoulders. Extra thick pillows or especially flat ones are most likely the wrong choices (again, this depends on your sleeping position).

Your size should also be considered when choosing a pillow. A large person needs a bigger pillow, while a more petite person should go with a smaller pillow. The bottom line is the pillow should provide support and comfort, and hold your neck in a neutral position.

#5: Don’t try to ‘make do’ with a budget pillow.

Pillows designed to reduce neck pain are not going to be cheap. With all the less expensive pillows available, its tempting to settle for a more modestly priced option.

Before you end up spending a smaller amount of cash on a pillow that won’t alleviate your current problem, remember the many painful nights and groggy mornings that you would have paid a ton of money just to feel good. Then open your wallet and buy the pillow that will minimize that from ever happening again. Parting with the cash won’t kill you. We promise.

Neck pain and the lack of sleep that results is a serious issue. Addressing it with a good chiropractor is the first step toward improving the situation.

Shopping for the perfect pillow is a close second in importance. By following these tips and taking the time to choose the right pillow, you will be snoozing away pain-free in no time at all!

Acupuncture for Menopause in Edmonton

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Acupuncture is a key element in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) that involves thin needles that are inserted into the body at acupuncture points and energy channels. Through the centuries, this amazing alternative medicine has been used for various ailments like chronic pain, weight loss, anxiety, migraines and menopause. Today, many use acupuncture for maintenance and prevention as well as helping with specific symptoms.

What is more, recent studies show that a holistic method such as acupuncture can ease various menopausal symptoms.

Mood Imbalances
When rendering the principles behind acupuncture, hormonal imbalances emerge when the internal balance of Yin-Yang energy is broken or interrupted. The objective of acupuncture is to rebalance and strengthen Yin-Yang within the body. When the internal balance is restored, irritability and mood swings are drastically reduced or eliminated.

Reduces Hot Flashes
According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, acupuncture can reduce hot flash up to 35 percent. Numerous other studies found acupuncture to be extremely effective in reducing the frequency and severity of hot flashes. In fact, many claim that the effects were not reliant on the number of treatment or the length of treatment. Plus the effects lasted up to three months.

Better Sleep
Insomnia is quite common when faced with a hormonal imbalance. Fortunately, even chronic insomnia can be treated effectively with acupuncture. In fact, studies show acupuncture can reduce sleep problems and help regulate hormones. In addition, acupuncture is renowned for its ability to help with night sweats by balancing Yin-Yang.

Fatigue
Sometimes menopause can cause fatigue. However, many menopausal patients using a short sequence of regular appointments (weekly) reported an obvious increase in energy plus a decrease in fatigue.
Spider and Varicose Veins

For centuries, acupuncture has been known to improve circulation and open pathways throughout the body. And by stimulating the blood flow in certain areas with acupuncture, spider and varicose vein can be greatly reduced.

Oliver Chiropractic Wellness Clinic is one Edmonton’s premium health care clinics. We treat a variety of conditions and are excited for the potential of working with you in realizing your health goals. Our wellness clinic is currently accepting new patients. To book an appointment, call today at [sc name=”tel-ocwc”].