Sleep is not just rest. It’s your body’s nightly maintenance session—resetting your nervous system, repairing tissues, and sharpening your mind. At our Wellington chiropractic clinic, we often see people struggling with fatigue, brain fog, or slow recovery. And often, one major piece of the puzzle is overlooked: their sleep.
The Nervous System’s Night Shift
During sleep, especially in deep and REM phases, your brain clears toxins, consolidates memory, and regulates hormones. The nervous system, which governs everything from mood to muscle recovery, relies on quality sleep to function at its best. A misfiring nervous system can lead to poor posture, reduced coordination, and even increased pain sensitivity.
Research shows that just one night of poor sleep can reduce pain tolerance by up to 15% the next day—making any existing discomfort feel even worse (Haack et al., 2012).
Lack of Sleep = More Stress, Less Resilience
When you’re under-slept, your body produces more cortisol (the stress hormone), which can stiffen muscles, slow healing, and make you more reactive emotionally and physically. It also weakens your immune response, making you more prone to illness and injury.
A study in The Lancet found that adults who consistently sleep fewer than 6 hours a night are four times more likely to catch a cold compared to those who sleep more than 7 hours (Prather et al., 2015).
How Chiropractic Helps You Sleep Better
Here at our Wellington chiropractic clinic, many clients report improved sleep after their adjustments. Why?
- Restoring proper spinal motion can reduce physical tension that keeps you tossing and turning.
- A balanced nervous system promotes better parasympathetic (rest-and-digest) activity, helping you drift off and stay asleep longer.
- Addressing underlying postural issues may ease snoring and breathing restrictions, especially if you’re a back or side sleeper.
We’ve seen countless patients say things like, “I haven’t slept that deeply in years”—and it often starts with improving spinal function.
Try This: A Simple Sleep Reset
One thing you can try tonight: 10 minutes of movement and 10 minutes of stillness before bed.
- Move: Do some light stretching or go for a gentle walk to release the day’s physical tension.
- Still: Dim the lights and do some deep breathing. Inhale for 4 seconds, exhale for 6. This tells your nervous system it’s time to slow down.
Even one week of this routine can improve your ability to fall and stay asleep.
The Bottom Line
If you’re constantly tired, mentally scattered, or struggling to recover from workouts or stress—don’t just push through it. Sleep could be the key. And if your nervous system is part of the problem, chiropractic care might be the missing piece.
At Limitless Chiropractic, we’re here to help you sleep deeper, move better, and live with more energy—because when your body’s in sync, rest comes naturally.
Want better sleep in Wellington? Book a nervous system check with us today. It could be the most energising thing you do this year.
References
- Haack, M., Sanchez, E., & Mullington, J. M. (2007). Elevated inflammatory responses in chronic sleep disruption. Psychosomatic Medicine, 69(8), 807-811.
- Prather, A. A., Janicki-Deverts, D., Hall, M. H., & Cohen, S. (2015). Behaviorally assessed sleep and susceptibility to the common cold. Sleep, 38(9), 1353–1359.
- Walker, M. P. (2017). Why We Sleep. Penguin Books.
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!
Ready to begin or continue your healing journey? Let’s work together to unlock your body’s natural potential for wellness.
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