How many hours do you typically sleep at night? What is your sleep position? How many pillows do you use? These are just a few of the questions that a physical therapist might ask you because sleep plays a crucial role in addressing issues like lumbar, thoracic, or cervical spine pain, as well as shoulder pain. The duration of sleep can also impact your stress levels!

If you find yourself dealing with high-stress situations that affect your sleep, Anderson & Cattone PT can provide assistance with the Neubie Nufit, an electrical modality designed to train your nervous system from a parasympathetic to sympathetic. To determine if the "master reset" technique is suitable for you, your PT or PTA will conduct a test where clamps are placed around your wrist to assess your heart rate variability (HRV). This test yields objective data such as your deep sleep, which should be 21-30% of your entire sleep. A post HRV test will be performed to evaluate any improvements in your scores after a single session. Consistent use of the Neubie Nufit can lead to sustained results over time.

Now, if you are experiencing spine or shoulder pain, it could be related to your sleep habits. It is generally recommended that adults get at least 7 hours of sleep per night. During those 7 hours, your body is relatively inactive. Therefore, maintaining awkward positions for extended periods can lead to aches & pains. If you sleep on your side & experience shoulder pain, consider switching to a back-sleeping position with a pillow that doesn't excessively flex your neck (creating a chin-to-chest position). Sleeping on your back with just one pillow & placing multiple pillows under your knees helps align your cervical, thoracic, & lumbar spine in a neutral position. This neutral alignment prevents the surrounding muscles from becoming tight in the morning & can be beneficial for individuals with arthritic spines, as it minimizes painful positions for the cartilage between your vertebras.