Not being able to fall asleep is the worst. Tossing and turning all night. Trying to do everything and anything to get your body to finally tap out. Is there anything worse? There are many reasons for Insomnia, such as stress, anxiousness, alcohol ingestion or even pain. When this becomes an ongoing or prolonged event, that’s when people start to get concerned. The issue at hand is if you are extremely fatigued and tired from insomnia, it can affect your ability to perform day-to-day activities, work tasks and can impact your driving abilities.
What are some things I can do to prevent a sleeping disorder?
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- Go to bed at a consistent time every night
- Sleep in a comfortable room that is cool and free of stimulation (noise, light, restless sleep partner)
- Sleep on a comfortable bed (we suggest a firmer bed)
- Do not eat large amounts of food prior to sleeping
- Avoid alcohol, smoking, and caffeine prior to sleeping
- Do not exercise heavily before sleeping
- Avoid daytime napping
- If focused on a bothersome mental concern, write it down and deal with it in the morning
- If unable to sleep for 30 min, get up and have a light snack—listen to soothing music and return to bed
- Avoid the use of over-the-counter medications
- Weight loss can help with sleep apnea
How can I get treatment for this at the clinic?
If your sleep difficulties are pain-related, we have a plethora of medical options and treatments you can choose from. Acupuncture is excellent for helping with insomnia and even sleep apnea, on occasion. Avoid taking sleep medication as it can cause dependence and make it more difficult to sleep if you’re not taking it nightly. Our in-house Dietitian can also formulate some diet plans that will help your body be able to destress and relax at the end of the day.
