Researchers have found that short sleep times, fragmented sleep, and poor sleep quality often causes ⚡heightened sensitivity to pain.
💥 The trouble is, experiencing pain when lying in bed can make it difficult to sleep, and we know that sleep is crucial for a healthy nervous system and in the management of pain.
↪Insomnia, in turn, can further sensitize the nervous system and lead to increased pain (thus, perpetuating the vicious cycle 😫).
Sleep and pain appear to share similar pathways and neurotransmitters and share an important relationship.
😴 Lack of sleep appears to cause inflammation in the immune system, with corresponding effects on our body’s resilience and its sensitivity to pain.
👆In fact, a single night of total sleep deprivation can increase one’s experience of pain and their state of their anxiety.
💫For those living with persistent pain, prioritizing sleep may be a key component in the path to recovery.
Stay tuned for my next post where I’ll share tips to get a better night’s sleep.