Your body has an internal clock. It runs on a roughly 24-hour cycle, and it controls much more than just when you feel sleepy.
This internal pacemaker, or your circadian rhythm, influences your hormones, your energy levels, and even your spinal health.
This master clock is designed to keep your body in sync with the daily pattern of light and dark. When you live in harmony with this rhythm, your body functions more efficiently. But when it gets thrown off, you can start to feel the effects in your muscles and joints.
Circadian biology is the study of your body’s internal clocks. Your main clock is in your brain, but nearly every cell in your body has its own. These clocks work together to create your daily rhythm.
Hormones are a key part of this system. Cortisol, for example, should be high in the morning to give you energy. It should then gradually decrease throughout the day. At night, as cortisol drops, melatonin rises to help you sleep.
This predictable rise and fall of hormones is essential for good health. It controls your sleep-wake cycle. And it ensures your body has the energy to be active during the day and the ability to rest and repair at night.
Modern life can easily disrupt your natural rhythms.
Shift work, inconsistent sleep schedules, and too much artificial light at night can confuse your body clock. This can lead to hormonal chaos.
When your cortisol is high at night, it makes it hard to get deep, restorative sleep. Your body’s repair processes happen while you sleep. So, poor sleep means less time for your muscles and joints to recover from the day’s activities.
This disruption can also increase inflammation throughout your body. Chronic inflammation can contribute to joint pain and stiffness. It can make your spine feel less mobile and more prone to aches and pains.
Your nervous system is the master controller of your body, including your hormones.
Chiropractic care focuses on ensuring your nervous system is functioning without interference. This can help your body better manage stress and support a healthy circadian rhythm.
Adjustments can help release the physical tension that builds up from a dysregulated system. A chiropractor can also provide advice on how to time your activities. For example, scheduling more demanding exercise in the first half of the day works with your natural cortisol peak.
In the evening, the focus should shift to gentler movements.
Activities like stretching or a calm walk can help your body wind down. This aligns your physical activity with your body’s biological clock, promoting better rest.
You can support your body clock with simple, powerful daily habits. One of the most important is managing your light exposure. Getting natural sunlight in the morning is a strong signal to your brain to start the day.
In the evening, it is just as important to limit your exposure to bright, artificial light. The blue light from phones, tablets, and computers can suppress melatonin production. This makes it harder to fall asleep.
Try to stick to a consistent sleep schedule, even on the weekends. Eating your meals at regular times each day can also help to anchor your circadian rhythm.
Even small changes like these can make a big difference to your hormonal balance.
Your circadian rhythm is a fundamental part of your health. When your internal clocks are synchronised, your hormones are more balanced. This reduces inflammation and allows your body to recover effectively.
A holistic approach works best to keep your body in sync. Chiropractic care can help manage the physical effects of a disrupted rhythm. And simple lifestyle adjustments can provide powerful support for your internal clocks.
By harmonising your daily habits with your natural biology, you support your spinal health from the inside out. This leads to better movement, more efficient recovery, and a greater sense of well-being.
Branding & website design by theshapingbay.com