Sumi Tamang Page, RMT - Registered Massage Therapist
Insomnia
Noun: chronic inability to fall asleep or to enjoy uninterrupted sleep
Related adjective: agrypnotic
Derived forms: insomnious (inˈsomnious)
Word origin: from Latin, from insomnis sleepless, from somnus sleep
Insomnia is a common problem for people of all ages, with more than 50% of women and 43% of men having trouble sleeping or staying asleep. There are also about one-third of Canadians that aren’t getting enough sleep.
Symptoms of insomnia can include fatigue, trouble concentrating and mood disturbances.
Chronic insomnia can also have a negative impact on your overall health.
For people that live with any type of chronic pain, it doesn’t just impact day-to-day life when they’re awake. Chronic pain is a 24-hour problem that can make even a good night’s sleep an ordeal. When chronic pain leads to difficulties in sleeping, there are some things you can do to make your life more manageable.
Sleeping Pains
There have been a number of studies that have explored the opinion that sleep and pain are in fact related. Some patients who are off work due to chronic pain have also stated that they experienced sleep disturbance. The studies also indicated that an inability to sleep has a dramatic impact on the body’s ability to function.
Insomnia is mostly associated with chronic pain conditions and should be considered an important part of pain management. Although the specific relation of sleep and chronic pain can vary, it’s important to understand the sleep problems in order to treat chronic pain.
What Can Be Done About It?
If pain results in difficulties falling asleep or staying asleep, there are ways that allow sleeping to become easier. This includes incorporating good “sleep hygiene”. Sleep as much as is needed to feel healthy and refreshed but avoid oversleeping. Have a regular time to wake up, regardless of when you went to bed which helps to incorporate a regular sleep schedule. Never “try” to sleep; if you are unable to sleep, switch on the light and do something else until you feel tired again like reading a book.
Alcohol and caffeine have also been proven to affect sleep, so monitor the intake of these beverages.
Can Massage Therapy Help?
Massage therapy has been proven to promote a healthy night’s sleep. Massage therapy has the ability to reduce fatigue and stress as well as improve sleep quality. From infants to the elderly, this helps in increasing the ability to fall asleep and ultimately the quality of sleep.
Research has indicated massage therapy increases levels of serotonin and melatonin, the hormone controlling sleep and wake cycles as well as the parasympathetic nervous system. Massage therapy has also been proven to be a positive therapy in treating patients with cancer, psychiatric disorders, fibromyalgia, migraines, and other chronic pain conditions.
Book a massage online with us now and see how your massage therapist can help you get a good night’s sleep!
Ref: RMTAO.com, Collinsdictionary.com