Sleep is an important factor in health. Sleep is the time when your body repairs itself, and insomnia can cause stress and other health complications.
Many people living with chronic pain also find themselves enduring many sleepless nights. According to the latest poll conducted by the National Sleep Foundation, over half of people suffering from chronic pain experience a lack of sleep so severe that it interferes with their work.
Chronic Pain and Sleep – A Vicious Cycle
Insomnia from chronic pain creates a vicious cycle. Because sleep helps the body heal itself, lack of sleep prevents your natural healing process from occurring – making pain even worse. Not getting enough sleep also causes mental symptoms, such as increased levels of stress, mood swings, and lack of focus or attention span. These issues can be incredibly frustrated, especially if coupled with chronic pain.
What can you do?
The first step is to make sleep a priority. That is, take your sleep habits seriously and take steps to prevent sleeplessness. For example, limiting the amount of caffeine you intake from coffee or soda is one easy step to aid sleep. Practicing relaxation techniques like deep breathing or calming activities before bed can help people with chronic pain fall asleep.
It’s necessary to stick to a regular sleep schedule. If at all possible, try to go to bed at the same time every night and get up at a set time in the morning. Avoid taking naps during the day as well. A steady sleep schedule will improve your chances of sleeping soundly through the night. A good night’s rest can alleviate aches and pains by allowing the body to heal.
Manage Chronic Pain with Dynamic Health:
If you feel chronic pain is causing insomnia or otherwise interfering with your life, consider visiting one of our pain relief specialists at Dynamic Health as soon as possible.
Call 704-525-6288 today to reserve your time with one of our pain management providers! We offer new client appointments within one to three days, and we are one of the only pain management clinics to provide image-guided injections!