At Holland Landing Health Centre, we often see clients who struggle with both sleep quality and musculoskeletal discomfort. What many people don’t realize is that these two issues are often interconnected. Poor sleep can negatively affect spinal health, and joint restrictions can, in turn, disrupt sleep. Chiropractic care plays an important role in breaking this cycle by supporting both spinal function and restful sleep.
When you sleep, your body enters a restorative state. This is when tissue repair, hormone regulation, and cognitive processing occur. However, research shows that poor sleep, whether due to insomnia, sleep apnea, or interrupted rest, can lead to increased sensitivity to pain and muscle tension (Finan et al., 2013). Over time, this can create or worsen mobility in the spine and soft tissues, contributing to morning stiffness, chronic pain, and fatigue.
Chiropractic care can help by restoring joint mobility and reducing neuromuscular irritation. A study published in Sleep Medicine Reviews found that manual therapies like joint adjustments and soft tissue techniques may improve sleep quality, especially in individuals with musculoskeletal pain (Ferrara & De Gennaro, 2001). By addressing joint restrictions and improving mobility, chiropractic care may reduce the discomfort that interferes with falling or staying asleep.
At our East Gwillimbury (Holland Landing, Sharon, Queensville and Mount Albert Chiropractic Clinic), our chiropractors take a comprehensive approach to assessing how joint restrictions might contribute to poor sleep. Through a combination of joint adjustments, ergonomic advice, and sleep hygiene recommendations, they help patients achieve better rest and mobility.
Sleep posture also plays a significant role in spinal health. Sleeping on your stomach, for instance, can place strain on the cervical spine, while an unsupportive mattress or pillow can increase pressure in the lumbar and thoracic regions. Chiropractors at our East Gwillimbury (Holland Landing, Queensville and Mount Albert Chiropractic Clinic) often guide patients in selecting supportive sleep surfaces and positions that reduce strain on the spine throughout the night.
In addition to chiropractic care, complementary therapies such as massage therapy or osteopathy, available at Holland Landing Health Centre, can also improve sleep by reducing muscular tension and enhancing circulation. A randomized trial in The Journal of Clinical Rheumatology showed that massage therapy significantly improved sleep and reduced pain in patients with fibromyalgia (Field et al., 2002), illustrating the broader benefits of an integrative care model.
If you’re waking up tired, stiff, or in pain, it’s worth exploring how your spinal health may be playing a role. Chiropractic care and other therapies can help restore mobility, reduce pain, and improve your overall sleep quality.
For local residents, our East Gwillimbury (Holland Landing, Queensville and Mount Albert Chiropractic Clinic) works to provide comprehensive, evidence-informed care to help you rest better and move more freely.
References:
Finan, P. H., Goodin, B. R., & Smith, M. T. (2013). The association of sleep and pain: An update and a path forward. The Journal of Pain, 14(12), 1539–1552.
Ferrara, M., & De Gennaro, L. (2001). How much sleep do we need? Sleep Medicine Reviews, 5(2), 155–179.
Field, T., Diego, M., Cullen, C., Hernandez-Reif, M., Sunshine, W., & Douglas, S. (2002). Fibromyalgia pain and substance P decrease and sleep improves after massage therapy. Journal of Clinical Rheumatology, 8(2), 72–76.
