Water makes up about 60% of our total body weight. It plays a crucial role in maintaining bodily functions, such as regulating body temperature, transporting nutrients, and removing waste. In this article, we’ll explore the importance of water and your spinal health.
The importance of water for the body
Water is essential for maintaining good health and well-being. Without enough water, our bodies can become dehydrated, leading to various health problems, including headaches, fatigue, and constipation. Drinking enough water is especially important during exercise, as we lose water through sweat and need to replace it to avoid dehydration.
Water and your spinal health
Water is vital for the health of the discs in your spine. Spinal discs are made of fibrous tissue designed as many small rings holding fluid inside with a very firm gelatinous mass in the center. The vertebral bodies sit and pivot on the discs. Your discs also function as shock absorbers while you walk, run, jump, etc.
The discs rehydrate during the night with the water you have consumed. The process is called intradiscal fluid exchange because the body replaces the old fluids in the discs with new hydration. The tissue in the discs gets replenished when the body rests and can undergo this restorative process. The discs are then firm and have their shock-absorbing qualities again.
However, if you do not drink enough water during the day, your body can be too dehydrated to adequately replenish your discs. Dehydrated discs in your spine will not only affect your mobility and cause back pain but will cause degenerative discs over time. So, a good night’s sleep and proper hydration during the day help your body time to repair itself. A good night’s sleep and hydration will help restore your flexibility.
How much water should you drink per day?
There are various opinions about how much water you should drink daily. The amount of water a person needs to drink daily can vary depending on age, gender, weight, and activity level. Healthline gives some other factors that can affect the amount of water you need daily.
- Where you live and the temperatures of the season.
- Your diet.
- How active you are.
- Your health.
Each person needs to find the amount of water they need to feel comfortable (not too much water) and not feel thirsty (too little water). If you are unsure what amount is right for you, start the simple rule of 8 glasses a day and see if you need more or less for your body’s needs.
5 Tips for staying hydrated
Staying hydrated is essential for maintaining good health and well-being. Here are some tips to help you stay hydrated throughout the day:
- Carry a reusable water bottle with you wherever you go.
- Set reminders on your phone to drink water at regular intervals.
- Choose water over sugary drinks.
- Add flavor to your water with fresh fruit or herbs.
- Drink water before, during, and after exercise.
Lower Back Pain Relief
If you are experiencing back problems, your water intake could be part of the problem. Hydration can reduce the discomfort of back pain.
However, if you are experiencing back pain, you need an examination and assessment because there can be multiple reasons a person is experiencing back pain. Our doctors in Little River focus on finding the root cause of back pain and providing solutions to treat your back pain. We know that medications only mask pain.
Our approach to treating pain is to find long-lasting relief through treatments that will help heal your body and restore function, which can include a combination of the following techniques:
- Platelet-rich plasma injections (PRP injections)
- Chiropractic care
- Trigger point therapy
- Spinal decompression
If you are looking for effective and long-lasting relief for back pain in Little River, Carolina Forest, Murrells Inlet, Garden City, Forest Brook, Conway, Little River, Longs, or any nearby city in South Carolina, call us today at (843) 249-9787 to schedule a complimentary consultation.
Sincerely,
Dr. Craig Strickland
Carolina Rehab & Physical Medicine Center