The end of Daylight Savings Time is something we feel especially heavy in the Midwest. The temperature starts to drop and it’s typically dark by the time you’re leaving work!

While in the fall, you may welcome an evening with an extra hour of sleep, your overall circadian rhythm can be put off for a whole week by the change.

Research has shown, this particular impact on your sleep-wake cycle leads to some people waking up earlier, having more trouble falling asleep, and being more likely to wake up during the night.

How We Help

If you are having trouble adjusting your sleep schedule, we are here to help you make the transition as smooth as possible and naturally rebalance your body’s clock.

Take control of your sleep cycle with:

  1. Acupuncture for improved Sleep Nearly everyone receiving acupuncture reaps the benefits of improved sleep and it is particular helpful for patients seeking assistance with energy and sleep disorders. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, sleeplessness or insomnia is seen as a symptom, not a disease. This means that while you can use acupuncture to directly curb insomnia, it will also be used to treat any underlying factors that may be causing sleep disturbance. This is why improved sleep is considered one of the pleasant side effects of acupuncture.
  2. Eat for a better sleep – For some, Sundays may include a larger than normal meal. Eating heavy meals before bed can lead to unpleasant side effects and a vicious cycle of fatigue and hunger the next day. After you eat, your metabolism fires up, which can make sleeping difficult. The next day, as you are fatigued, your lack of sleep can lead to increased appetite. Try to avoid eating two to three hours before bedtime. Our Functional Medicine can help you pinpoint the exact nutrition you need to keep your body’s hormones and sleep cycle in perfect harmony.
  3. Sleeping for your spine –Did you know the position you’re falling asleep in may actually affect the way you feel when you wake up? Poor sleeping habits can often lead to neck and back pain, which can ultimately make you even more tired. One of the most common causes for habits like these is not having the right pillows suited for yourself. Everyone is different, therefore not every pillow will support your body in the way it needs to be supported while you sleep!
  4. Test for Imbalances – If you are having any additional problems sleeping, we offer melatonin testing. Melatonin is the hormone that effects wakefulness. The Comprehensive Melatonin Profile is a convenient, non-invasive salivary hormone test that analyzes the circadian secretion patterns of melatonin. Using a complete light-dark cycle, this hormone test reveals abnormal levels of melatonin that relates to various physical and psychological symptoms as well as premature acceleration of the body’s aging process.

 

For more information about how to get to the root cause of your health concerns, schedule an appointment at any of our 15 Chicagoland clinics.

   
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