Have you ever woken up and felt pain in your neck, back, or hips, and assumed you must have “slept wrong?” It’s something Dr. McSweeney hears quite often in her Reno chiropractic office. Are people really injuring themselves while they’re asleep? And why does it seem more common with adults, and not children? Considering how acrobatic many sleeping children seem to be, you’d think they’d be the ones waking up feeling sore. Here’s why blaming pain on the way you slept isn’t the whole story.
THE ROOT ISSUE
Anything you’re dealing with an injury, it’s the result of some force being applied to a structure – your spine, your wrist, your knee, etc. When the force is stronger than the structure, whatever it may be, that’s when you get injured and pain is soon to follow. We all understand this concept when we’re talking about a great big force, like a fall down the stairs. But little forces can create injuries, too, particularly when the structure receiving this force is already compromised.
In many instances, adults who wake up with back pain are dealing focus entirely on the discomfort and chalk it up to sleeping awkwardly. The more likely scenario is that these people already have something going on with their back, and the minor force that comes from sleeping on an old mattress or with a flat pillow is enough to exacerbate the original issue.
Fortunately, this is a situation that can be remedied. A visit with Dr. Lynelle McSweeney can address the underlying issue that’s causing the weaknesses, reducing the likelihood of you injuring yourself further in your sleep. Dr. McSweeney will ask you a series of questions and perform diagnostic testing to determine the root cause of your weaknesses, and she’ll recommend a treatment plan. Often, this plan will include a mix of therapies like a chiropractic adjustment, massage, stretches you can perform at home, and supplements. Learn more about what to expect at your first visit, and schedule your appointment today.