If you’re one of the 18 million Americans suffering from sleep apnea, you’re probably tired of feeling unrested and dealing with brain fog. Obstructive sleep apnea disrupts your ability to get a good night’s sleep, making it difficult for you to function throughout the day. While there are various types of breathing machines that can help relieve the symptoms, you might be looking for another way to promote rejuvenating sleep.
In recent years, chiropractic care has become a popular treatment plan for obstructive sleep apnea patients. Today, the team at ApneaMed will explain how a chiropractor can help with sleep apnea and how to get started.
What Is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?
Obstructive sleep apnea is a medical condition that causes an individual to have difficulty breathing during the night, often experiencing repeated cessations in breathing. This is caused when the patient’s soft tissues of their throat and palate collapse and block their airway. As the individual gasps for air, they startle their body (often without waking up or noticing that they can’t breathe), and their airway reopens. This repeatedly happens throughout the night, often going unnoticed by the individual, and only becomes apparent when someone witnesses the breathing cessations.
Partners are often the first to notice the individual’s condition because of the constant snoring that usually coincides with a diagnosis. Symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea include:
- Loud snoring
- A sore throat
- Feeling unrested
- Mental fatigue
- Waking abruptly
- Insomnia
- Low energy
- Brain fog
If left untreated, sleep apnea can lead to other dangerous health conditions, which is why you must get treated as soon as the symptoms are detected. Alongside visiting a sleep specialist, it can be beneficial to visit a chiropractor who can alleviate some of the patient’s symptoms.
How a Chiropractor Can Treat Sleep Apnea
AutoPAP or CPAP therapy isn’t your only option for treating sleep apnea. Chiropractic treatments can help relieve symptoms in multiple ways. If you are suffering from sleep apnea, talk with an experienced chiropractor who will be able to help you with the following:
Spinal Adjustments
If an adjustment in your spine needs to be corrected, it could be tied to the breathing difficulties you’re experiencing. Because the spine plays a central role in your body’s functions, any misalignment can impact your sleep. A chiropractor will be able to diagnose the issue and resolve problems such as an obstructed windpipe, pinched nerve, vertebral disc damage, or another ailment that might be making it more difficult for you to breathe while sleeping.
Sleep Positions
As someone with sleep apnea, you’ve likely noticed that certain positions make it more difficult for you to breathe easily during the night. By working with your chiropractor to learn more efficient sleep positions that make your spine more stable, you will be able to position your body in a way that minimizes the likelihood of your airway becoming blocked.
Lifestyle Adjustments
Alongside the knowledge your chiropractor can share regarding sleep positions, they’ll also be able to help you determine if any other underlying factors may be contributing to your obstructive sleep apnea, such as weight gain, an inconsistent sleep schedule, or posture.
How to Get Started with a Chiropractor for Sleep Apnea
If you suspect you’re suffering from sleep apnea, you must undergo a sleep study to be properly diagnosed. Depending on your results, a certified sleep specialist will craft a treatment plan to help you improve your sleep.
To provide well-rounded treatment plans, ApneaMed teams up with chiropractors to ensure their patients have access to our self-administered at-home sleep apnea test — allowing the patient to get a sleep apnea diagnosis quickly and affordably.
Contact ApneaMed to learn more about our Chiropractors Sleep Apnea Program.