Scottsdale Chiropractor Answers Your Sleep Apnea Frequently Asked Questions

What is sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder where the throat closes or is blocked while an individual sleeps. It is characterized by loud snoring, a lack of breathing for several seconds and feeling tired upon waking. The most common type of sleep apnea is obstructive sleep apnea. This occurs when the soft tissues of the throat or back of the mouth collapse during sleep, interfering with the airway.

I have trouble sleeping. Could I have sleep apnea?

There are many reasons a person could have trouble sleeping, and sleep apnea is one of them. When an individual has sleep apnea, their breathing while asleep is impeded, and they snore very loudly. This causes individuals to start themselves awake with their loud snoring and wake due to being unable to breathe. These events can happen numerous times a night, leaving the person with very little quality sleep and feeling tired in the morning.

Could my loud snoring be sleep apnea?

Loud snoring is definitely a sign of sleep apnea. When soft tissues block part or most of the airway, it causes excessive snoring and trouble breathing. Usually, the snoring is so loud that it wakes family members, and those family members wake the snorer in an effort to get them to stop snoring. If you suspect you have sleep apnea or your family members, you should get examined for the sleeping disorder.

How does chiropractic care help with sleep apnea?

Our chiropractor can help you with your sleep apnea and loud snoring. Chiropractic adjustments, massage therapy, nutritional guidance and breathing exercises can help with sleep apnea. Massages along the neck and soft tissues of the back can help relax tight muscles and help you sleep better. Chiropractic adjustments help keep the vertebrae in their proper alignment and can aid in breathing and proper oxygenation of the muscles.

Breathing exercises can help strengthen the lungs and surrounding muscles, and adjusting your diet can help you lose unwanted pounds. When an individual is excessively overweight, they develop fat in their neck. This fat can press against the airway and impede breathing.

How long will it take to stop snoring and improve my wakefulness during the day?

Exact treatment lengths vary, and if you have and use a C-PAP, you should continue to use it until a sleep study says that you no longer need to use it. Chiropractic treatment for sleep apnea and other sleeping disorders generally takes several sessions before the individual notices a difference in the depth of their sleep and increases in energy levels.

How do I schedule an appointment for chiropractic treatments for sleep apnea?

To schedule an appointment to have your snoring and trouble sleeping evaluated, please call our Scottsdale chiropractic office at (480) 994-4411. Our chiropractor can assess your symptoms and perform an evaluation to see if you would be a good candidate for treatment that many of our patients from Scottsdale, Tempe, Mesa, Paradise Valley, Fountain Hills, and Phoenix have experienced.