Exploring How Spinal Alignment Impacts Melatonin, Stress, and Parasympathetic Function

You go to bed early. You avoid caffeine. You even use blackout curtains.
And yet—you still wake up groggy, stiff, or wide awake at 2 a.m.

Here’s a truth most people don’t hear:

If your spine isn’t aligned, your nervous system can’t relax. And if your nervous system can’t relax, your body can’t sleep deeply.

At Koca Chiropractic, we help patients sleep better—not with medication, but by restoring balance to the nervous system through the spine.

Sleep Starts in the Nervous System

The nervous system has two gears:

Sympathetic (fight or flight)

Parasympathetic (rest and digest)

Healthy sleep depends on your ability to shift into parasympathetic mode.

But when the spine is misaligned (a subluxation), it creates constant stress signals in the body—even when you’re trying to sleep.

This stress response:

Blocks melatonin production

Keeps your brain hyper-alert

Raises cortisol (the stress hormone)

Disrupts deep sleep cycles

Prevents full-body recovery

The Spine–Sleep–Hormone Connection

The brainstem and spinal cord are major hubs for regulating your circadian rhythm and hormone release.

Misalignments in the upper neck (C1/C2), mid-back, or pelvis can disrupt:

Melatonin production (your body’s natural sleep hormone)

Vagus nerve signaling, which controls parasympathetic relaxation

Cortisol regulation, leading to a wired-but-tired cycle

Circulation and lymphatic flow, impacting detox and deep repair

How Chiropractic Restores Rest

At Koca Chiropractic, we use the Gonstead Method—a precise, full-spine analysis that looks for nerve interference, not just pain.

We:
✅ Take digital full-spine X-rays
✅ Perform nerve and HRV scans
✅ Identify the root spinal misalignment
✅ Deliver safe, specific adjustments to restore function and calm

The goal?
To take pressure off your nervous system so your body can drop into true rest and recovery mode—night after night.

What Patients Say

“I started getting adjusted for back pain, but what surprised me was how much better I slept. It was life-changing.” — Ryan G.
“I used to toss and turn every night. Now I sleep deeply and wake up energized.” — Erin M.
“No more melatonin gummies. My body just knows how to sleep again.” — Jason H.

✅ Ready for Better Sleep?

Sleep isn’t just about habits. It’s about nervous system balance.
And your spine plays a bigger role than you might think.

Schedule your full-spine evaluation today with Koca Chiropractic
Call (402) 496-4570

Because sleep shouldn’t be a struggle.
Let’s get your spine—and your nights—back in alignment.