Sleep Easy…Its time to get rid of those bad dreams.

By gently correcting somatic dysfunction in a child’s spine, both spinal cord tension and nerve irritation alleviates, and changes are observable in all aspects of life.  The case study listed below demonstrates a common and interesting connection between body and brain (mind), specifically by influencing a somato-psychic response.  Because the somato-psychic connection is innate, adults may potentially benefit as well .

Objective:  To report on improvement in headaches and sleep disturbances in an adolescent female undergoing chiropractic care to correct vertebral subluxations (joint dysfunctions inhibiting optimum nervous system function).

Clinical Features:  A female adolescent with recurring headaches and parasomnia (night terrors) presented for chiropractic care.  The headaches and sleep disturbances had a negative affect on her academics, sports, and social life.  Upon examination, she had abnormal postural findings indicating cervical, thoracic, and lumbar subluxations.

Intervention and Outcome:   The patient was evaluated for postural abnormalities and palpatory muscle hypertonicity, segmental edema, and kinesiopathology during each visit.  Postural abnormalities and associated vertebral subluxations were corrected using specific hands on adjusting techniques for a one month period.  There was a reduction in headache symptoms and complete resolution of parasomnia (night terrors) following the start of treatment.

Conclusion:  Sleep disturbances in children are common and often develop without explanation.   To date, there are few interventions that help alleviate the negative affects of interrupted sleep on a child’s daily activities.  Vertebral subluxation should be considered when a child is experiencing neuromusculoskeletal symptoms and sleep disturbances of otherwise unknown origin.  More research is warranted to explore the benefits of chiropractic care in cases of parasomnia and sleep disturbances.

Reference:

Resolution of Night Terrors & Headaches in an Adolescent Female Undergoing Chiropractic Care.  Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health – Chiropractic ~ Volume 2011 ~ Issue 2 ~ Pages 43-49

Buteyko Breathing…

 

 

Summary 

Objective

To assess the effectiveness of a non-pharmacological intervention in patients with asthma on conventional therapy including inhaled corticosteroid.

Design

A randomised controlled trial of the Buteyko technique in a group of adults with asthma. The control group was trained by a physiotherapist in breathing and relaxation techniques.

Setting

A single centre associated with a University-based asthma programme.

Main outcome measure

Asthma control, defined by a composite score based on the Canadian asthma consensus report 6 months after completion of the intervention.

Results

Both groups showed substantial and similar improvement and a high proportion with asthma control 6 months after completion of the intervention. In the Buteyko group the proportion with asthma control increased from 40% to 79% and in the control group from 44% to 72%. In addition the Buteyko group had significantly reduced their inhaled corticosteroid therapy compared with the control group (p=0.02). None of the other differences between the groups at 6 months were significant.

Conclusions

Six months after completion of the interventions, a large majority of subjects in each group displayed control of their asthma with the additional benefit of reduction in inhaled corticosteroid use in the Buteyko group. The Buteyko technique, an established and widely recognised intervention, or an intensive programme delivered by a chest physiotherapist appear to provide additional benefit for adult patients with asthma who are being treated with inhaled corticosteroid.

FROM: Respiratory Medicine Volume 102, Issue 5 , Pages 726-732, May 2008