Is Your Spine Sabotaging Your Sleep?
You know the feeling—you finally crawl into bed after a long day, ready to drift off into restorative sleep… but your body has other plans. You toss. You turn. You wake up at 3 a.m. and can’t fall back asleep. Or maybe you do sleep through the night—only to wake up feeling like you got hit by a truck.
Here’s a question we bet most people haven’t asked:
Could your spine be the real reason you’re exhausted?
Let’s dive into why that’s not as far-fetched as it sounds—and what you can do about it.
Your Nervous System Is Running the Sleep Show
Most people think sleep is all about the brain. And while that’s true, your brain doesn’t work in isolation—it communicates with every cell, tissue, and hormone in your body through the central nervous system.
And what protects that system?
Your spine.
Your spine isn’t just a stack of bones—it’s a superhighway for nerve communication. If your spine is out of alignment, it can interfere with how your brain and body talk to each other. This can disrupt sleep signals, stress hormone balance, and even melatonin production.
In other words?
Poor spinal alignment can be like putting your nervous system in airplane mode at night… just when it should be getting you into deep, restorative sleep.
Signs Your Spine Might Be Disrupting Your Sleep
Alignment issues aren’t always painful. In fact, some of the most common signs of spinal misalignment show up when you’re trying to rest:
- You wake up stiff or sore in your neck, shoulders, or lower back
- You toss and turn frequently throughout the night
- You wake up at the same time each night (hello 3 a.m. club)
- You clench your jaw or grind your teeth while sleeping
- You never feel rested—even after 7-8 hours of sleep
- You fall asleep in front of the TV, but can’t stay asleep in bed
These can all point back to subtle interference in your nervous system. If your spine isn’t in its ideal alignment, your body is working overtime—even while you sleep.
ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW
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Contact us today to schedule a visit at our Roseville office.
The Stress-Sleep-Alignment Triangle
Let’s break this down a bit more.
- Stress tenses your muscles and locks your spine into protective postures.
- A misaligned spine irritates the nervous system and triggers more stress responses.
- Your body stays on alert—even at night—making it harder to reach deep sleep.
It’s a vicious cycle. But the good news? You can break it.
Simple Ways to Support Better Sleep Through Spinal Health
Before you even hit the pillow tonight, here are some things you can do:
1. Check Your Pillow and Mattress
If your pillow is too flat or too bulky, it can push your spine out of alignment, especially in your neck. Your mattress should support your natural curves without sagging.
Tip: Side sleeper? Use a pillow between your knees to keep your hips level.
2. Do a 2-Minute Posture Check Each Day
Stand against a wall: your head, shoulder blades, and tailbone should all touch the wall. If you’re forward-head or hunched, that’s a clue your posture may need correcting.
3. Try a Wind-Down Routine
Breathing exercises, light stretching, or using a foam roller on your upper back can calm your nervous system and prep your spine for a restful night.
4. Avoid Falling Asleep on the Couch
That curled-up, head-drooping posture might feel cozy in the moment—but it’s terrible for alignment and can trigger neck stiffness and headaches in the morning.
So, What Can Chiropractic Care Do for Sleep?
Chiropractic care isn’t just about cracking backs—it’s about restoring healthy communication in your body. When your spine is aligned, your nervous system is better able to:
- Regulate sleep-wake cycles
- Reduce physical and emotional stress
- Balance cortisol and melatonin levels
- Support muscle relaxation and pain relief
- Improve oxygenation and circulation during sleep
In our Chiropractic practice, we don’t just look at your spine—we look at how your entire nervous system is functioning. We use gentle, precise techniques to correct misalignments and help your body get back to its natural rhythm—especially when it comes to rest and recovery.
Ready to Sleep Like You Used To?
If you’ve been trying everything—dark rooms, fancy pillows, sleep supplements—and still wake up feeling groggy or sore, your spine might be the missing piece.
We’ve helped countless patients finally experience deep, restful sleep after restoring alignment and supporting their nervous system.
If you're sick and tired tired of being sick and tired, we’re here to help.
Let’s get to the root of what’s keeping you up at night.
As a premier Chiropractic practice in Roseville, CA, we are redefining spinal health through personalized Chiropractic Care.
Ready to get Back On Track?
Contact us today to schedule a visit at our Roseville office.
The information on this website has not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration or any other medical body. We do not aim to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any illness or disease. Information is shared for educational purposes only. You must consult your doctor before acting on any content on this website, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition.
By Dr. Todd W. Bunning
Dr. Todd W. Bunning’s Chiropractic and Functional Medicine services reach far beyond the local Roseville area, with webcam consultations available for patients in any location. With over 21+ years of Private Practice experience, Dr. Todd continues to focus on the individual: science-based methods to address whole-body health factors.
Dr. Todd’s education didn’t stop when he graduated from Life West Chiropractic College in 2003. Today, he’s continuing to receive training and is chipping away on numerous post-graduate degree programs. This unique blend of clinical health investigation and Lifestyle Medicine application helps people of all ages find the underlying factors that result in chronic disease.