Understanding and Managing Sleep Apnea with Osteopathic Care.

Sleep apnea is a common yet serious sleep disorder where breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. This condition can lead to significant health issues if left untreated. For those struggling with sleep apnea, osteopathic treatment offers a holistic approach to improve symptoms and enhance overall well-being.

What is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is characterized by repeated interruptions in breathing during sleep. The most common type, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), occurs when throat muscles intermittently relax and block the airway. This leads to fragmented sleep and low oxygen levels in the blood, causing daytime fatigue, morning headaches, and other health problems (Nelson & Glonek, 2014).

Osteopathic Approach to Sleep Apnea.

Types of Sleep Apnea Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA): This is the most common form and occurs when the muscles in the back of your throat relax excessively, leading to airway obstruction (Boyd & Cohn, 2010). Central Sleep Apnea (CSA): This type occurs when your brain doesn’t send proper signals to the muscles that control breathing. It is less common than OSA (Guilleminault & Chowdhuri, 2000). Complex Sleep Apnea Syndrome: Also known as treatment-emergent central sleep apnea, this occurs when someone has both obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea (Chaitow & DeLany, 2011).

Symptoms of Sleep Apnea

Common signs and symptoms of obstructive and central sleep apneas include:
Loud snoring (more common in OSA)
Episodes of stopped breathing during sleep (reported by another person)
Gasping for air during sleep
Awakening with a dry mouth
Morning headache
Difficulty staying asleep (insomnia)
Excessive daytime sleepiness (hypersomnia)
Attention problems
Irritability (Schwab, 2005; Brown et al., 2013)
Diagnostic Methods for Sleep Apnea
- Polysomnography (PSG): This is the most common test for diagnosing sleep apnea. It involves spending the night in a sleep lab where various parameters such as brain waves, heart rate, muscle activity, and breathing patterns are monitored (Kimoff, 1996).
- Home Sleep Apnea Test (HSAT): For individuals with a high pretest probability of moderate to severe OSA and no other serious medical conditions, a HSAT may be prescribed. This portable device records airflow, breathing effort, and blood oxygen levels during sleep (Chaitow & DeLany, 2011).
- Clinical History and Physical Examination: A thorough medical history and physical examination may provide important clues to the presence of sleep apnea. Factors such as obesity, neck circumference, nasal congestion, and family history of sleep apnea are considered (Guilleminault & Chowdhuri, 2000).
Osteopathic Approach to Sleep Apnea

Osteopathic treatment focuses on the body’s structure and function, aiming to improve health by ensuring that the body’s musculoskeletal system is aligned and working optimally. For sleep apnea, an osteopathic approach involves normalizing nerve flow, activating and strengthening the muscles responsible for maintaining airway patency, and providing ongoing management and follow-up (Chaitow & DeLany, 2011).

Stages of Osteopathic Management for Sleep Apnea

Assessment and Diagnosis
A comprehensive assessment is crucial to understand the severity of sleep apnea and identify contributing factors. This includes evaluating the musculoskeletal system, posture, and areas of tension or restriction. Specific muscles that may be contributing to airway obstruction during sleep are also identified (Upledger, 2005).

Stages of Osteopathic Management for Sleep Apnea

Assessment and Diagnosis
A comprehensive assessment is crucial to understand the severity of sleep apnea and identify contributing factors. This includes evaluating the musculoskeletal system, posture, and areas of tension or restriction. Specific muscles that may be contributing to airway obstruction during sleep are also identified (Upledger, 2005).

Stages of Osteopathic Management for Sleep Apnea

Assessment and Diagnosis
A comprehensive assessment is crucial to understand the severity of sleep apnea and identify contributing factors. This includes evaluating the musculoskeletal system, posture, and areas of tension or restriction. Specific muscles that may be contributing to airway obstruction during sleep are also identified (Upledger, 2005).

Stages of Osteopathic Management for Sleep Apnea

Assessment and Diagnosis
A comprehensive assessment is crucial to understand the severity of sleep apnea and identify contributing factors. This includes evaluating the musculoskeletal system, posture, and areas of tension or restriction. Specific muscles that may be contributing to airway obstruction during sleep are also identified (Upledger, 2005).

Palatoglossus: Connects the soft palate to the tongue, helping prevent airway collapse (Kimoff, 1996).

Palatopharyngeus: Elevates the pharynx and soft palate during swallowing and speaking, contributing to airway stability (White, 2006).

Tensor veli palatini: Opens the eustachian tube and may help maintain airway patency (Randerath et al., 2002).

Sternocleidomastoid: Improves overall posture and airway alignment during sleep (Wheatley & Amis, 2000).

5. Ongoing Management and Follow-Up

Regular monitoring and adjustments to the treatment plan based on patient response and symptom changes are essential. Regular follow-up appointments help track improvements and provide ongoing support and guidance. Collaboration with other healthcare providers, including sleep specialists, pulmonologists, and otolaryngologists, ensures comprehensive management of sleep apnea (Durand & Gilhodes, 2009).

Please remember, that keeping your Osteopathy appointments is crucial for achieving the best possible outcome in your treatment plan.

Stages of Osteopathic Management for Sleep Apnea

Benefits of Osteopathic Treatment for Sleep Apnea

By addressing nerve flow, activating relevant muscles, and strengthening key muscles associated with sleep apnea, osteopathic treatment can significantly improve airway patency and reduce the severity of symptoms. This approach promotes better sleep quality, reduces daytime fatigue, and enhances overall well-being (Kushida, 2007).

Sleep apnea is a manageable condition with the right approach. Osteopathic care provides a comprehensive, patient-centered treatment plan that addresses the root causes of sleep apnea. If you or a loved one are struggling with sleep apnea, consider seeking osteopathic care from Prime Health Hub :- Osteopathy Pain Clinic to improve your quality of life and overall health.

Palatoglossus: Connects the soft palate to the tongue, helping prevent airway collapse (Kimoff, 1996).

Palatopharyngeus: Elevates the pharynx and soft palate during swallowing and speaking, contributing to airway stability (White, 2006).

Tensor veli palatini: Opens the eustachian tube and may help maintain airway patency (Randerath et al., 2002).

Sternocleidomastoid: Improves overall posture and airway alignment during sleep (Wheatley & Amis, 2000).

5. Ongoing Management and Follow-Up

Please remember, that keeping your Osteopathy appointments is crucial for achieving the best possible outcome in your treatment plan.

Vignesh N

I couldn't be more pleased with the experience. From the moment I walked in, the staff were welcoming and attentive. The osteopath took the time to listen to my concerns and provided a thorough assessment. The treatment was highly effective, and I noticed a significant improvement in my condition after just a few sessions. The clinic itself is clean, modern, and equipped with the latest technology, which made me feel confident in the care I was receiving. I also appreciated the clear communication regarding my treatment plan and the follow-up care recommendations.

Denise H

I can highly recommend both Dr Archie and Dr Avi. From muscular and nerve pain issues to more recently relieving the symptoms of Vertigo (BPPV), they have been an absolute blessing.

Arini Stamenkovic

So happy and greats therapy I have so Thank you Dr Avi.

Rod Butcher

As a 60+ semi retiree I had ongoing back seizures. I had tried various treatments some too aggressive for my aging back. I found Prime Health Hub’s Dr Avi’s Osteopathic treatment to be very effective. He sent me for scans (bulk billed) then created a plan from these scans to treat my back. He also developed an exercise plan once again suited to my age bracket as daily maintenance. I would highly recommend this practice.

Erica Duguid

Archie was thorough with familiarising herself with my health status and offered me a variety of modalities to match my needs. I have felt less congested in my sinuses and chest after the lymphatic drainage. She administered my treatments gently and with explanation of what was to happen. I have taken away some exercises that will aid my healing.

Kris Ryan

A highly knowledgeable and evidence based team. Thank you for your work in improving my chronic back condition.

Jaz

Dr Archana is wonderful. I was in extreme pain, unable to put weight on my left leg through a disc injury. Dr Archana was able to fit me in at short notice and immediately I felt a lot better following that first appointment. I have been seeing Dr Archana regularly since then. She is very gentle, compassionate and caring. She is also a very knowledgeable practitioner. Being a dentist myself I like to know details of anatomy and what’s happening behind the scenes and I found Dr Archana to be very well informed. I would thoroughly recommend this practice to anyone for pain or maintenance therapy. I have had chiropractic care in the past and I prefer the gentle more holistic approach that osteopathy provides. Thank you for you care. Jaz

Lynne Cutler

I was so pleased to find Dr Avi open on a Saturday as I was in a lot of pain in my lower back. No one else was open on Saturday. My pain was acute and has eased within one week to over 75% less. I’m nearly pain free.hooray. I am very impressed with this gentle man’s knowledge, wisdom and manipulation. Thank you so much for my healing. .

Jane Goodwin

Dr Avi has been treating me for ages, I wouldn't hesitate to refer him to anyone. He's very welcoming and knowledgeable, the times I have had to bring my kids with me, he's made that easy too. I tried a bunch of other physios and massage before finding Avi and it's been way better than anything else.

Noel Kapernick

My experience at Prime Health Hub was firstly, one of being carefully listened to as I described the condition that had taken me there. Secondly, there followed the most rigorous diagnostic examination I have ever experienced, I think. What made this particularly useful to me was the way in which everything was explained as it was being done: I'm doing this to assess ... This shows that ... And so on until a diagnosis had been made and again, explained clearly with visuals at times, so that I fully understood the explanation. From then on, the level of professional care I have received has been exceptional, again marked by careful, attentive listening, ongoing assessment and clear explanations. For me, knowing the what and the why of the treatment I am receiving is just as important as the treatment itself, and that, as I said, has been excellent. Noel.