Neck Pain Support Blog

Are You Breathing Right?

Why is Breathing so Important? Sure, we need oxygen to live! That's exactly right; we actually don't think of all it does from giving the body's organs fuel, to moving, and thinking all require oxygen.

Think of the body as a complex system - it gets O2 from the lungs, and the heart pumps it out so it can go to the rest of the body. Don't forget we have talked about the importance of water. Water is partially responsible for carrying oxygen...

Additional Reading:

1) Breathe Good At Night

2) Importance Of Oxygen

3) Breathing For Life

What Is Healthy Sleep?

 

Healthy sleep is not just the amount of time you spend in bed?  How much do you actually sleep and how much is good sleep.  For example I know someone who takes a medication that makes him tired so he sleeps, however that sleep isn't good sleep and he still wakes up tired!

 

 

Here's what the American Thoracic Society says:

• "Sleep plays a vital role in a healthy life but the lack of guidance on promoting sleep health that can be a problem" - Dr Mukherjee
• Quality of sleep is directly proportional to quality of life.
• Amount of sleep varies upon the individual and their age
• Adults and children differ on sleep amount
• Less than 6 hours sleep on a regular basis has adverse health affects.
• Grater than 9 or 10 hours also can have adverse health affects.
• Optimal sleep is typically between 7 and 9 hours.
• Sleep disorder can be responsible for a number of cases of individual with poor sleep.  These may include things like sleep apnea and insomnia.
• Many with these conditions may go undiagnosed or untreated.
• Drowsy driving can be the cause of a significant number of accidents.
• Most health care practitioners receive little education on this subject

 

Health conditions can both be a cause of poor sleep but also a result of it as well.  Neck pain remains a cause of poor sleep for many and has invariably cause you a lost night of sleep or two recently.  This is why I often recommend a neck pillow to sleep with.  Sometimes they are referred to as a neck-roll pillow, orthopedic pillow, or chiropractic pillow.  They will keep and improve neck alignment.  This allows for patent airways and nerve pressure to be relieved.

 

Also, of note, is that certain health conditions require better sleep.  For example, in the past, some missed sleep at night just means you're a bit tired the next day.  However, if you are dealing with a health issue, it might not be the same; losing a little sleep may really effect you negatively...

 

Additional Reading:

1. National Sleep Foundation

2. Side Sleeping

3. Sleep Apnea