Do You Have To Live With Chronic Pain Interfering With Your Sleep?
People with chronic pain are likely aware of the pain throughout the day. For some people, the pain is more noticeable at bedtime. The increase in pain can make it difficult to get a good night's sleep and leave you feeling tired the next day. If you are having trouble sleeping at night, here is what you need to know.
What Causes the Pain to Be More Noticeable at Night?
During the course of a day, your pain is likely less noticeable because you have other activities to distract you. Tasks, such as working, caring for children, and studying, can be enough to occupy your mind so that you do not notice the pain as much.
At bedtime though, there is nothing to distract you, so your pain might seem more intense. In some instances it is. Different activities throughout the day, such as poor posture, can take a toll on your body. By the time you get in bed, the poor posture and other activities can catch up with you.
What Can You Do?
One possible method of handling the chronic pain is to turn to medication. Pain medication taken before bedtime can allow you the relief you need to fall asleep. However, continuing to take pain medication nightly could lead to a dependency on the medication. If you run out of medication or no longer have access to it, you could be back in the same restless situation.
Alternative means of alleviating the pain might be a better option. For instance, regular sessions with a chiropractor can help with treating the pain. Through manipulation techniques, cold and heat therapy, and other tools, the chiropractor can help improve your flexibility and mobility, which naturally helps to alleviate pain.
In addition to receiving chiropractic care, you can make changes to your bedtime routine to help with your lack of sleep. For instance, you can turn down the temperature in your room. Cooling your room down will cause you to feel sleepier.
You can also make sure you are using the right pillow. For instance, if you sleep on your side, a thicker pillow can help to keep your spine aligned, which should alleviate some of the pain.
You should not ignore sleep problems. Suffering from chronic pain does not mean you have to learn to live with its interference into your bedtime. Consult with a doctor and chiropractor, like one from Telma Grant P.T. Physiotherapy, to create a treatment plan that addresses your specific needs.