Sleep is intimately associated with optimal function. But with optimal health? The evidence has grown considerably in recent years, but the mechanisms linking the two continue to emerge. Cardiovascular disease, cancer, dementia, weight management and athletic performance are all tied to sleep. Traumatic brain injury, post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental health disorders amplify sleep challenges. Hormonal imbalances can also contribute to elusive sleep.
Quality sleep can be an elusive target with work schedules invading home life and the forever growing influence of technology in our modern lives. SocolMD approaches sleep using an integrative medical approach that blends the best of established practice with emerging technologies that promote sleep.
How would you describe the sleep issues typically seen at SocolMD?
Dr. Socol’s practice focuses specifically on two primary sleep problems. The first group experience challenges falling asleep, which means that they have a prolonged sleep latency. The second group has problems staying asleep.
Dr. Socol also works with sleep efficiency concepts to get more productive sleep out of available sleep time. This is known as sleep optimization. Individuals in all walks of life can benefit from sleep optimization. Competitive athletes, service professionals, students, and business leaders have shown the greatest interest at SocolMD.
Who are the patients that have sleep problems at SocolMD?
Individuals who report a lack of restful sleep are often:
- Working in a demanding job
- Dealing with a lot of stress
- Overweight
- Business travelers
- Menopausal or peri-menopausal women
- Students
- Diagnosed with PTSD, or post-traumatic stress disorder
- Diagnosed with mTBI, or mild traumatic brain injury
- Firefighters & other service professionals
- Shift workers
Describe SocolMD's approach to sleep optimization.
Our integrative approach hits multiple disciplines. Dr. Socol works with sleep hygiene tools, nutraceutical prescriptions, meditation, biofeedback, pulsed electromagnetic field therapy and lifestyle to build a comprehensive sleep solution that examines the physical domain as well as the mind-body-spirit connection.
For individuals with traumatic brain injury and other complex cases, application of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) may also provide dramatic improvement in appropriately selected individuals.