Exercise tip of the month: sleep. Weird? Not at all! Sleep is just as crucial
as exercise for pain management including management for back
pain. Spinal Care Clinic helps many Burlington and Hamilton
pain sufferers cope with 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 comes and goes, a condition
that is managed rather than cured, it is a positive
thing that researchers are looking into just how a back pain
sufferer can take charge of the Burlington and Hamilton back pain and the frequency that it ‘rears its head.' Question 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. Spinal Care Clinic
introduces the term “flare” as it has to do with
a back pain episode.
BACK PAIN FLARE
A Burlington and Hamilton low back pain flare is one that incorporates heightened pain,
paresthesia, or muscle tension, increased duration of symptoms, reduced
functional (social, cognitive, physical), and negative emotions. Researchers
found that back pain sufferers do not describe their
back pain to be a flare just because of increased pain, therefore
healthcare professionals need to look beyond the pain to visualize
what else is influencing the pain event, what
psychosocial factors are involved. (1,2) The mind-body connection
can’t always be overlooked! Nor can the time of day
that pain is experienced.
PAIN: MORNING NOON AND NIGHT
Patients suffering with low back pain for over 3 months were studied to see what might precipitate a flare up of their pain. Researchers discovered
that poor sleep quality and morning pain were risks 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 reduce the intensity, frequency, and risk of back pain flares.
(3) The quality of sleep
also plays a part in how Burlington and Hamilton back pain is experienced.
SLEEP QUALITY
An analysis of sleep quality in mature
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 linked to
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 Spinal Care Clinic
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 preventing
him from sleeping.
Set up your Burlington and Hamilton
chiropractic appointment soon. Let’s talk sleep
next time you’re in for a visit!