Osteopathy for sleep disorders

Restorative sleep is what helps us wake up ready to tackle the new day. A good night’s sleep doesn’t only recharge your batteries; it also helps keep the body in good physical and psychological condition.

Patients with sleep disorders are often surprised by the quality of long-term solutions provided by osteopathy.

External factors, such as daily stress, anxiety, overexposure to screens and muscular tension caused by bad posture can lead to sleep disorders.

Sometimes, the body receives significant cognitive and physical stimulation right before bedtime.

The osteopath will intervene at the level of the neurovegetative system (NVS), which is the system that is responsible for dealing with this stimulation.

The Neurovegetative System

This system regulates the organism’s various automatic functions, such as digestion, respiration, arterial and venous circulation, cardiac frequency, secretion, and excretion.

This system is made up of opposite and balancing sub-systems.

The parasympathetic system:

It is responsible for the general slowing of organs, stimulating digestion, and releasing insulin, among other functions.

The sympathetic system:

This system is the organism’s fight or flight mechanism and helps it to prepare for physical and intellectual activity. It is responsible for bronchial dilation, acceleration of cardiac and respiratory activity, pupil dilation and increased secretions, most noticeably, sweat.

Sleep disorders in two categories

Dyssomnia

A group of symptoms that alter the quality and quantity of sleep. Dyssomnia affects middle-aged adults primarily, and reported symptoms include problems falling asleep, and frequent or early waking.

The causes are:

Pain / Stress
Migraine / Headaches
Medication
Alcohol/Drugs
Environment: dound, light

Parasomnia

Restlessness, emotions, abnormal and unconscious perceptions and dreams that happen during a period of sleep are all symptoms of parasomnia. It affects children primarily.

Examples:

Confusional
Awareness
Somnambulism
Night terror
Nightmare

How osteopathy can help with sleep disorders ?

For conclusive results when it comes to sleep issues, the osteopath will focus on the neurovegetative system, most notably the parasympathetic subsystem.

To accomplish this, he or she will certainly practice craniosacral osteopathy.

The craniosacral region includes the bones of the face, skull, mouth, larynx and extends to the lower part of the spinal cord by a system of hydraulics and membranes, all the way to the sacrum.

Gentle osteopathic manipulations allow the craniosacral system to heal seamlessly, as opposed to a more mechanical approach that evaluates and repairs the problem.

Knowledge of the patient’s lifestyle and a thorough osteopathic exam allow the osteopath to treat the various zones in the body that brought on the sleep disorder. Quality sleep generally returns after two or three sessions.

Osteopathy can also predict sleep disturbances during difficult times (professional stress, daily personal concerns) and prevent them from leading to other problems (irritation, fatigue or distraction).

Osteopathic Treatment Methods

SOFT TISSUE MANIPULATION

Soft tissue manipulation can be used in many different ways. This method is used to evaluate the condition of tissues, ease restrictions, help the body’s fluids (blood, lymph, etc.) flow smoothly and restore function.

Optimal neuro-vascular flow helps to reduce harmful fluid retention and allows the body’s immune system to work more effectively.

Throughout the treatment, Osteopathic Manual Practitioners will continuously check on the state of the body’s tissues. The goal is to gently guide the tissue back to health without over-treating.

CRANIAL OSTEOPATHY

As the gentlest osteopathic technique, Cranial Osteopathy is also one of the most significant.

It is used to assess and treat the mobility of the skull and its contents. It may also be used to assess and treat the spine, sacrum and other parts of the body. The goal of this technique is to adjust the body’s physiology by restoring balance and optimal neuro-vascular flow surrounding the Central Nervous System and all of its autonomic centers.

VISCERAL MANIPULATION

Visceral Manipulation is used to effectively treat organs and viscera of the body, including the lungs, heart, liver, spleen, kidneys, stomach, pancreas, intestines, the bladder and the uterus.

Osteopathic Manual Practitioners will gently move the structures themselves and the fascia that surrounds them to restore full movement.

Applied with gentle pressure, visceral manipulation corrections can improve the mobility of an organ, improve neuro-vascular flow surrounding the organ and ultimately help maximize organ function.

OSTEOPATHIC ARTICULAR TECHNIQUE

The osteopathic articular technique, involving gently moving two joint surfaces, is used to reduce muscle spasms, ease neurological irritations, assist in joint mobility and help reduce pain and discomfort.

It is a less forceful technique than joint manipulation.

Osteopathic Manual Practitioners will carefully prepare the soft tissues around the treatment area, positioning the patient so that there is minimal (if any) force needed to perform the maneuver.