Pediatric Chiropractic & Better Sleep: Strategies for Peaceful Nights

Every new parent has been there before… after an entire day enduring the hustle and bustle of parenting, you’re finally in bed, feeling sleepy and ready to recharge those batteries. Just when your eyes finally close to savor some much-needed slumber, you hear it. 

The all-too-familiar cries from the crib that summon your immediate presence.

For new parents, the joy of bringing a newborn into the world often comes with a side of sleepless nights and exhaustion. As any parent knows, navigating the world of infant sleep can be challenging, with babies often waking up multiple times throughout the night. The struggle to get a good night's rest affects not only the baby but also takes a toll on the well-being of parents. 

There is hope on the horizon in the form of pediatric chiropractic care! 

Your trusted pediatric chiropractic team at Restore Chiropractic is here to offer holistic strategies for helping your newborn (and yourself!) get some better rest at night.

Can Chiropractic Care Help With Pediatric Sleep Disorders? 

The answer to this question is more complex than a simple yes or no. While chiropractic care may not directly impact sleep, it can be an effective approach for addressing pediatric sleep disturbances. 

• Chiropractors can examine the root causes of sleep disturbances, which are closely linked to the nervous system. When a child’s nervous system is functioning properly, their body has a better chance of a restful sleep. 

• Additionally, chiropractors can target the musculoskeletal system, which can help a baby’s body find a state of balance and comfort, which is essential for a good night's sleep. 

Chiropractic care is non-invasive, doesn’t require medication, and is a simple and holistic way to address some of your child’s sleep issues. 

Gentle Pediatric Adjustments: Torque Release Technique

Pediatric chiropractors specialize in gentle, non-invasive techniques that can help babies and young children sleep more peacefully, leading to happier, healthier families:

• The Torque Release Technique® (TRT) is what helps our chiropractic team better locate and correct the cause of a child’s stressed nervous system.

• The Integrator™ is a revolutionary FDA-approved chiropractic adjustment instrument that we here at Restore Chiropractic use for our Torque Release Technique® adjustments. 

A traditional chiropractic adjustment involves stretching the spine to a position of tension, followed by a manual thrust to elicit a cavitation response. Our chiropractic team offers a more precise and gentle type of adjustment suited to all types of patients. 

The Integrator™ is a scientifically advanced instrument with torque and recoil used to administer a gentle adjustment, removing subluxation and restoring the communication pathways in the nervous system.

• The Integrator™ reproduces manual adjustments performed by hand, while offering more precision and reproducibility from the doctors providing the chiropractic care.

• The Integrator™ is much more gentle and can deliver a specific and effective adjustment while the spine is in a relaxed, neutral position.

5 Ways Pediatric Chiropractic Helps Kids Sleep Better

Chiropractic care offers many benefits for children who are having trouble sleeping. From infants to teens, the whole family can receive holistic care that keeps your household happy and healthy.

1. Precise Spinal Adjustments Improve Alignment

One of the primary techniques used by pediatric chiropractors to improve sleep in infants is gentle spinal adjustments. Utilizing precise, gentle pressure to realign the vertebrae in the spine can help relieve tension and discomfort in the baby's body, allowing them to relax more fully and drift off to sleep more easily. 

By addressing any misalignments in the spine, pediatric chiropractors can promote better overall health and well-being in young children, leading to improved sleep patterns. 

2. Craniosacral Therapy Releases Tension & Restores Balance

Craniosacral therapy is a gentle, hands-on approach that focuses on releasing tension in the skull and spinal cord, which can help alleviate symptoms such as colic, reflux, and difficulty sleeping. By gently manipulating the bones of the skull and spine, chiropractors work toward restoring balance to the nervous system, promoting relaxation and better sleep quality in young children.

3. Soft Tissue Manipulation Promotes Circulation & Relaxation

Soft tissue manipulation is a technique that involves gently massaging and stretching the muscles and connective tissues in the baby's body. This can help improve circulation, reduce inflammation, and promote relaxation, all of which can contribute to better sleep quality. 

Pediatric chiropractors may use soft tissue manipulation to target areas of tension or discomfort in the baby's body, helping them to feel more comfortable and at ease as they drift off to sleep. 

4. Gentle Adjustments Address Reflux & Digestive Issues

Reflux and digestive issues are common concerns for many infants and can significantly disrupt their sleep patterns. Pediatric chiropractors can address these issues through gentle techniques that target the spine and nervous system. By realigning the spine and reducing pressure on the nerves that control digestion, chiropractors can help alleviate symptoms such as acid reflux, gas, and bloating, allowing babies to sleep more comfortably. 

Additionally, chiropractors may provide guidance on feeding techniques and dietary modifications to support healthy digestion and minimize reflux symptoms, further promoting better sleep for infants.

5. Supporting the Nervous System Supports Immune Function

A strong immune system is essential for overall health and well-being, especially in infants who are still developing their immune systems. Pediatric chiropractors focus on supporting immune function through gentle adjustments that help optimize nervous system function.

Chiropractic care activates your body’s braking mechanisms (parasympathetics) to slow down and CALM your brain. It helps shift your body into a relaxed state.

By ensuring that the nervous system is functioning properly, chiropractors can help regulate immune responses and promote better overall health in infants. This can lead to fewer illnesses and infections, allowing babies to sleep more soundly and experience fewer disruptions to their sleep patterns. 

Additionally, chiropractors may provide guidance on lifestyle factors and nutritional strategies to further support immune function and promote better sleep in infants.

Addressing Sleep Issues During Pregnancy

Many issues can cause an expectant mother to experience poor sleep. You are creating new life, and with it comes some challenges and discomfort that can interrupt or delay your sleep. 

Some of the common causes of poor sleep during pregnancy include: 

• Physical discomfort 

• Hormonal changes

• Frequent urination

• Nausea and heartburn

• Restless Leg Syndrome

• Insomnia

• Anxiety and Stress

• Snoring and sleep apnea

Chiropractic care can help improve sleep during pregnancy by improving your spinal health. Subluxations can occur in your spine during pregnancy as your body changes to support the fetus. This, in turn, causes your nervous system to operate inefficiently, slowing down signals throughout your body that help your body regulate itself. 

Chiropractic adjustments during pregnancy, also called prenatal chiropractic care, are gentle and specific, and don’t involve excessive force or cracking. 

With a proper adjustment, your spine and pelvis can realign, helping your nervous system send signals with appropriate speed and without disruption. 

Chiropractic care can also help alleviate aches and pains associated with pregnancy, improving your chances of sleeping through the night. 

Better Sleep for the Entire Family Through Chiropractic Care

Why stop at pediatric chiropractic care? Your entire family can benefit from chiropractic care, leading to noticeable improvements in their sleep. 

There are many benefits of chiropractic care for sleep, including: 

• Reducing pain and discomfort associated with general life

• Easing the stress and anxiety of childhood, teenage years, and adult life

• Improving the nervous system and helping it send the right signals and hormones through your body

• Enhancing blood flow and circulation, delivering oxygen, which helps aid in tissue repair and relaxation

• Reduces sleep apnea symptoms by aligning the neck area

Pediatric Chiropractic Solutions in Maple Grove, MN

If you're struggling with sleepless nights and restless babies, pediatric chiropractic care may offer the solution you've been searching for. By addressing underlying issues such as spinal misalignments, tension, and discomfort, pediatric chiropractors can help infants sleep more peacefully, leading to happier, healthier families. 

If you're in Maple Grove, Minnesota, or the surrounding Twin Cities metro area, our office is conveniently located nearby! 

Contact Restore Chiropractic today to schedule a consultation and learn more about how pediatric chiropractic care can help your family sleep better at night.