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In this episode, Dr. Steve Sanders of Cityview Chiropractic in Fort Worth dives into the surprising connection between poor sleep and spinal health. Most people think of sleep and back pain as separate issues, but Dr. Sanders explains how they are deeply intertwined in ways that can affect your overall wellbeing.
Learn how sleep deprivation takes a toll on your nervous system and why your spine may be suffering more than you realize from restless nights. Dr. Sanders breaks down the science in a straightforward way that could genuinely change how you approach both your sleep habits and your chiropractic care.
Whether you struggle with chronic back pain, poor sleep, or both, this episode offers valuable insights to help you understand your body better and take steps toward lasting relief.
Hey there, and welcome back. I’m Doctor Steve Sanders with Cityview Chiropractic here in Fort Worth, and today we’re talking about something that affects just about every single one of us. Sleep. Specifically, how poor sleep can quietly do a number on your spine and your nervous system. And I know what you might be thinking. Sleep is a whole different thing from back pain, right? Well, here’s the thing… they are deeply connected, and once you understand why, it can genuinely change how you think about your nightly rest.
So let’s start with the basics. When you sleep, your body is not just shutting down for the night. It is actively repairing itself. Your muscles relax, your joints decompress, and the discs in your spine actually rehydrate. Yes, rehydrate. Those cushiony discs between your vertebrae absorb fluid while you sleep, which helps them stay healthy and do their job of absorbing shock throughout your day. When you’re not getting enough quality sleep, that recovery process gets cut short. Over time, that adds up.
Now, here’s what’s interesting. Your nervous system is really running the show here. Think of it like the electrical wiring of your entire body. When you’re sleep deprived, your nervous system stays in a kind of high alert mode. We call this a heightened sympathetic response, which just means your body is stuck in that fight or flight feeling even when you’re just sitting at your desk. That tension shows up in your muscles, your posture, and yes, your spine. People who are chronically tired often carry a lot of tension in their neck and shoulders, and they may not even realize why.
And here’s another piece of the puzzle. Poor sleep affects your pain sensitivity. When you haven’t slept well, your threshold for feeling pain actually goes down. So that mild soreness in your lower back that you might brush off on a good day? It can feel a lot more intense after a rough night. This is why some of my patients come in and say they woke up and could barely move, and they didn’t even do anything the day before. Sleep quality plays a bigger role in that than most people realize.
So what can you do about it? A few things to think about starting tonight. First, your sleep position matters. Sleeping on your back with a pillow under your knees takes a lot of pressure off your lower spine. If you’re a side sleeper, try placing a pillow between your knees to keep your hips aligned. Stomach sleeping is the toughest position for your neck and lower back, so if that’s your go-to, it might be worth working on breaking that habit.
Second, take a look at your mattress and pillow. They don’t have to be fancy, but they do need to support your natural spinal curves. If you wake up stiff every morning, your sleep setup might be part of the problem.
Third, try to wind down before bed in a way that signals your nervous system to calm down. Dim the lights, step away from screens, maybe do a few gentle stretches. Helping your body shift out of that high alert mode before sleep can make a real difference in how well you actually rest.
Now, if you’re dealing with ongoing neck pain, back pain, or you just feel like you never wake up refreshed no matter how many hours you sleep, that’s worth having checked out. Sometimes spinal tension and nervous system stress are working against your sleep without you even knowing it. A chiropractic evaluation can help us figure out what’s going on and put together a plan to help your body actually recover the way it’s supposed to.
At Cityview Chiropractic, we work with folks right here in Fort Worth every day who are dealing with exactly this kind of thing. And honestly, helping people feel better and sleep better is one of the most rewarding parts of this work.
So thank you so much for tuning in today. I really appreciate you spending a few minutes with me. If you’ve got questions, or you’re ready to come in and get things checked out, give us a call or visit us at Cityview Chiropractic in Fort Worth. We would love to see you. Take good care of yourself, get some rest tonight, and we’ll talk again soon.
