In modern society the priority is productivity. How much can we get done in a day? What can we accomplish? As a result, rest and sleep are usually neglected. How often do we hear of people bragging about needing only 4-5 hours of sleep?
Unfortunately, our understanding of the brain and nervous system tells us this is unhealthy.
Let me explain why. The brain has its own sewer system called the Glympathic system. It is similar to the lymphatic system. It’s main goal is to maintain the delicate environment our brain needs to function properly by removing metabolic waste and toxins. During waking hours, the Glympathic system is mostly inactive.
However, while sleeping, the Glympathic system canals open up by an astounding 60%!
The Cerebrospinal Fluid can flow more freely through out the Glympathic system while you are asleep sweeping away the proteins and waste that are tied to many Neurodegenerative diseases of the brain. When this flow is disrupted it allows build up and plaque in the brain.
The early results of research in this area show that sleeping on your SIDE is the best at opening up the Glympathic system. In rodents, 25% more CSF flow is seen in a side laying position. (good news side sleepers!)
Why does this matter to us at Precision Chiropractic?
Structural abnormalities within the spine also prevent proper flow of CSF in the head and neck. Instead of a steady flow, structural abnormalities cause turbulent flows that causes damage to the sensitive tissues in the Brain and central Nervous system.
Correcting and stabilizing the underlying structural abnormality allows the CSF to return to a normal state.
Combining a good night’s rest with a specific correction of the spine leads to a healthy brain!
