Many people who struggle with sleep feel that pain and tension are the causes of their poor rest. They may not realize that the solution to their sleep problems could lie in the skills of a physical therapist. PTs have the training to identify areas of the body that are injured, tight or painful and remedy them. Once those areas are identified, PTs can then plan a treatment plan to restore balance to the body so that a person can relax fully into a deep, uninterrupted sleep. For many people, physical therapy has been the solution that finally turned sleepless nights into restful ones.
The Connection Between Pain, Movement, and Sleep
Chronic conditions like arthritis, back pain, or joint injuries can become extremely painful during the night when movement is limited. Many people are awakened repeatedly due to pain, even crying out as they wake. It can be impossible to find a comfortable sleeping position. Daytime tiredness plus chronic pain conditions can make life miserable.
When physical therapy improves mobility in tight joints and limberness to muscles, even in areas affected by arthritis, a full night of comfortable rest becomes possible. Restorative sleep is within reach.
Ways That Physical Therapy Can Improve Your Sleep Quality
Physical therapy’s benefits for sleep go beyond pain relief. Here are several ways PT can help you rest easier:
- Relaxation Techniques: Physical therapists teach relaxation methods such as deep breathing, gentle stretching, and a special system of muscle relaxation. These techniques contribute to a calmer body and mind, making it easier to drift off and stay asleep.
- Custom Exercise Plans: Regular physical activity is linked to improved sleep quality. PTs can design exercise routines tailored to each patient’s needs. Consistent exercise is associated with more relaxed muscles and less tension, which helps anyone sleep better. Gentle exercises in the evening can also prepare you for a good night’s rest.
- Stress Reduction: Stress can come from one’s life or one’s body. Breathing exercises and those special muscle relaxation methods can calm physical anxiety, which promotes better sleep.
- Better Daytime and Sleep Postures: Poor daytime posture can lead to imbalances and tension of the musculoskeletal system. A PT can correct these imbalances and improve daytime posture, which can reduce physical strain while sleeping.
- Improved Sleep Routines: PTs also consult patients on the best routine to use to fall asleep faster and stay asleep. The routine may include dietary changes, mild stretching or breathing techniques.
Get Help to Improve Both Your Nights and Your Days
Rebound Physical Therapy staff are skilled in assessing the cause of tension, pain and poor sleep. You don’t need to suffer with an inability to fall asleep or with frequent wake-ups or sleep that is simply not restful and healing.
Contact Rebound to learn how we can help you sleep better each night and wake up fresh and rested in the morning.
