Sleepless Nights: A Hidden Epidemic
Sleep is one of the most vital processes for health, yet it’s one of the most neglected. According to the World Health Organisation, up to 40% of adults worldwide report occasional insomnia, and around 10–15% suffer from chronic insomnia that lasts for months or years. Closer to home, a 2023 New Zealand Health Survey found that nearly one in three Kiwis do not get enough quality sleep, with women reporting more sleep difficulties than men.
Poor sleep isn’t just about feeling tired the next day. It increases the risk of chronic conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and depression. In fact, research shows that sleeping less than six hours a night raises the risk of premature death by 12% compared to those who sleep seven to eight hours. Clearly, sleep is more than a luxury — it’s a necessity for long-term health.
How Chiropractic Care Supports Restful Sleep
Chiropractic care addresses more than just back or neck pain. At its core, it focuses on the relationship between the spine and nervous system — the body’s master control centre. When spinal joints lose proper motion or function (a phenomenon chiropractors often see as a result of stress, posture, or injury), this can irritate nerves, increase muscle tension, and disrupt the body’s ability to regulate its natural rhythms, including sleep cycles.
At a Wellington chiropractic clinic, precise adjustments restore motion in the spine, reduce nervous system irritation, and help the body shift into a calmer state. Many patients report that, after chiropractic care, they not only feel less pain but also find it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep.
The Science Behind Sleep and Adjustments
Research supports the link between chiropractic care and improved sleep:
- Pain reduction improves sleep: Pain is one of the biggest obstacles to rest. Studies show that individuals with chronic musculoskeletal pain are two to three times more likely to experience insomnia. Chiropractic adjustments can significantly reduce this pain, removing a major barrier to restorative sleep.
- Stress regulation: The nervous system has two main branches — the sympathetic (“fight or flight”) and parasympathetic (“rest and digest”). Chiropractic adjustments have been shown to influence heart rate variability, a key marker of stress resilience, helping the body shift more easily into parasympathetic mode — the state required for deep sleep.
- Sleep in children: Interestingly, chiropractic care has also been studied in children. A clinical trial found that infants with sleep disturbances experienced improved sleep duration and quality after chiropractic adjustments, highlighting the role of spinal care in regulating rest across all ages.
Stress, Subluxations, and the Sleep Struggle
Everyday stressors — whether physical (sitting at a desk for hours), emotional (worries that keep you up at night), or chemical (caffeine, alcohol, or even hormonal fluctuations) — all add up. These stressors can create subluxations (joint dysfunctions that affect spinal and nervous system function), interfering with the body’s natural recovery systems. Over time, this can lead to a vicious cycle: poor sleep leads to more stress, which in turn worsens subluxations and makes restful sleep even harder. Chiropractic care interrupts this cycle by clearing interference in the spine and nervous system, giving your body the reset it needs.
Why Choose a Chiropractor in Wellington?
Life in Wellington isn’t always gentle on the body — whether it’s the hours spent hunched over a laptop in a CBD office, the jolts of a windy ferry commute, or the physical demands of outdoor activities like surfing and hiking. Local stressors, combined with the high-paced lifestyle many Wellingtonians live, can easily disrupt sleep patterns. Working with a chiropractor in Wellington ensures that your care is tailored not only to your body but also to the unique lifestyle challenges of our city.
Final Thoughts
Good sleep is the foundation for good health. While many people try to fix sleep with supplements, caffeine cutbacks, or the latest pillow, addressing the deeper issue — how your spine and nervous system function — can be the missing piece. Chiropractic care offers a natural, drug-free approach that doesn’t just mask the problem but works to restore balance at its source.
If restless nights are holding you back, consider visiting a Wellington chiropractic clinic to explore how adjustments can help you reclaim your sleep — and your energy, mood, and overall quality of life.
References
- Ohayon MM. Epidemiology of insomnia: what we know and what we still need to learn. Sleep Med Rev. 2002;6(2):97–111.
- Ministry of Health NZ. Annual Update of Key Results 2023/24: New Zealand Health Survey. 2023.
- Cappuccio FP, et al. Sleep duration and all-cause mortality: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Sleep. 2010;33(5):585–592.
- Bryans R, et al. Evidence-based guidelines for the chiropractic treatment of adults with headache. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2011;34(5):274–289.
- Zhang J, et al. The effects of spinal manipulation on heart rate variability: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Complement Ther Med. 2020;50:102392.
- Miller J, et al. The short-term effects of chiropractic spinal manipulation on infantile colic: a randomized controlled clinical trial. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2012;35(8):600–607.
Experience Limitless Movement Chiropractic Care in Wellington
If you’re in Wellington and looking for expert chiropractic care, we’re here to help. At Limitless Chiropractic, we focus on helping you move better, feel stronger, and live without limits. Book your appointment today and take the first step toward a healthier, more mobile you!
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