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Find out how flexible you areWhether it is due to stress, an old mattress or your work pattern, insomnia is a common problem that can influence muscle and joint pain. To understand this connection better, this blog looks at:
Many studies have shown that sleep disturbances such insomnia can make individuals more vulnerable to pain.2
Recently, researchers came to understand that sleep problems could decrease the likelihood of recovery from chronic lower back pain (LBP). Those with musculoskeletal pain on top of insomnia were found to have an even lower possibility of recovery.3
LBP is extremely common – it is thought to affect around one-third of the UK's adult population.4 Sleep problems often go hand in hand with LBP and have been linked to increased pain intensity as well as the persistence of pain.
Researchers said: "Preventing or reducing sleep problems among people with chronic LBP may have the potential of improving the long-term prognosis."5
It isn't entirely clear why lack of sleep contributes to pain, though some studies have suggested that it increases inflammation in the body.
Inflammation is a protective mechanism deployed by the body to fend off bacteria and viral infections. A little inflammation is, therefore, normal and even beneficial. Too much, however, is known to worsen conditions like fibromyalgia and arthritis.
Sleep deprivation is thought to be problematic as it could increase levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Cytokines are proteins that aid cell communication and stimulate the movement of inflammatory cells.
According to one study, losing sleep for just one night can trigger cellular pathways that produce tissue-damaging inflammation.6
In addition, lack of sleep is thought to change how the brain processes pain. One particular study concluded that sleep deprivation could enhance the body's response to pain, whilst also reducing activity in the parts of the brain that modulate pain.7
Pain and sleep can be a bit of a vicious cycle. Sleep can be hard to come by when your muscles are painful or stiff, and we now know that pain is often made worse by lack of sleep itself.
Addressing insomnia should, therefore, be a part of your pain management strategy. This is by no means and easy undertaking, but below I've listed some simple tips that are at the very least, a good place to start.
*Lemon Balm helps maintain a normal sleep
Research seems to suggest that poor sleep, pain and inflammation are all interlinked. Therefore, in addition to getting a better night's sleep, it is a good idea to try and address inflammation itself in order to get on top of your pain.
One remedy that may be of particular benefit in this instance is Devil's Claw. Due to its anti-inflammatory properties, this is usually used to help muscle and joint pain, back pain and rheumatism.
Devil's Claw works by reducing the production of a whole range of inflammatory chemicals including prostaglandins and leukotrienes. It has a gentle braking action on all the inflammatory pathways, without completely blocking them.
Devil's Claw tablets have a cumulative effect, meaning they are well-suited to helping these long-term problems. However, should sporting injuries, sprains or strains be causing you pain, Devil's Claw tincture is available for a faster effect.
1 https://academic.oup.com/sleep/article/30/2/213/2709239
2 https://insights.ovid.com/article/00006396-201508000-00010
3 https://jech.bmj.com/content/74/3/283
4 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK11709/
5 https://jech.bmj.com/content/74/3/283
6 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18561896
7 https://www.jneurosci.org/content/39/12/2291
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*Lemon Balm helps maintain a normal sleep
Answer our questions and find out if your flexibility is compromised.
Find out how flexible you areAs the A. Vogel Muscles and Joints advisor, I recommend Atrogel® for the effective relief from aches and pains.
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