Quality Sleep Pillows Mattresses and Natural Health

Below are tips to help maximize the opportunity of getting good restful sleep. Good restful sleep is essential for your bodies recovery and hence your general health and wellbeing. Dr Robyn’s tips include Pillow and Mattress selection and wellness care.

Remember chiropractors are specifically trained to treat and correct spinal problems such as subluxations which can interfere with restful sleep. If you have a good quality pillow and mattress and are still experiencing poor sleep it may be good to see your chiropractor for a checkup. Functional Neurologists are specialist trained in functional neurology and can diagnose and treat brain based disorders which may be contributing to poor sleep. As wellness experts chiropractors and those with post grad functional neurology can provide their patients with a natural drug free approach to sleeping problems.

Dr. Frederick R. Carrick, DC, PhD, president of the American Chiropractic Association’s Council on Neurology says “Sleep is one of the most important functions of the brain”, “Through it, our bodies recharge and renew for the next day’s challenges.”

Helpful Tips for Good Sleep:

• Have a good quality and comfortable mattress
• Have a good quality and comfortable pillow
• A dark room at a comfortable temperature helps sleep
• Regular exercise is very good for the body, any evening exercise should be at least 2 hours before bedtime.
• Caffeine can cause sleeplessness so it’s best to avoid caffeinated drinks from early afternoon until next morning.
• Sufficient time should be allowed for food to digest before going to bed. It is generally suggest to eat like a King at Breakfast, a Queen at Lunch and a pauper at dinner. Preferably, dinner should be light and eaten at least 2 to 3 hours before bedtime. 

 Tips for Mattress Selection:

• The mattress should feel comfortable to your body.
• The mattress should support the body’s weight and allow the spine to stay in its natural alignment – one way of telling that this is not happening is if there are gaps between your body and the mattress for example at the waist when you’re lying on your side. If the mattress is to have more than one body on it then it’s a good idea to test it together.
• Choose a mattress that is right for you!
• If your mattress does not feel right, it may be time to invest in a new mattress. Even though you may want to keep your mattress for 10 or more years it may be a good practice to change it if it’s no longer doing the job.
• Check with your supplier and evaluate mattresses that have reduced problems with moisture retention and harboring mites.

Here are some links to Mattress Suppliers recommended by the CAA - Chiropractors Association Australia.  

Tips for Pillow Selection:

• Don’t skimp when buying a pillow, remember having a sore neck and/or head will give you a lot more grief then spending a few more dollars on a quality pillow.
• A good pillow supports the head and neck properly, keeping the neck or cervical spine aligned with the thoracic or chest section of the spine.
• Your pillow should be comfortable and support your head and neck properly.
• If your pillow causes your head or neck to be sharply angled away from your body or props up your head in an awkward manner then it needs to be replaced.
• Choose a pillow that suits you and can reasonable support the weight of your head and allow your cervical and thoracic spine to be properly aligned.
• If you’re sleeping on your side and find it necessary to support your head by sliding your hand under the pillow to support your head then that is a good indication that the pillow is not doing its job.