Water and Wellness
One of the most common tips for staying healthy is to drink plenty of water and keep your body hydrated. But why? Why is water so important?
It’s a fact that:
- Water is the source of all life.
- Your body is 45-60% water.
- Every system in your body requires water to function.
- If your body doesn’t have enough water, it can’t perform at its best.
- Dehydration can lead to fatigue, dizziness, muscle cramps, headaches, and back pain.
Water is the most important thing to drink for a healthy back. It allows nutrients to travel to the major organs, remove waste, and maintain function in the joints, organs, and most importantly, the spine!
Dehydration and Back Pain
The main part of your spine is made up of 24 bones, or vertebrae. Wedged between your vertebrae are little jelly-like discs that protect the spine by acting as shock absorbers as you move. They prevent your vertebrae from rubbing together, but in order to do this, these discs rely heavily on fluids.
Water is continuously lost and reabsorbed and when your discs don’t rehydrate enough, they shrink. This forces the outer layer to take on more stress, which eventually leads to swelling and pain.
Stay Hydrated
Keeping hydrated helps your discs improve in flexibility. Try and drink eight large glasses throughout your day, not all at once. For those who are not “big water drinkers”, you can still get water and stay hydrated by eating fresh fruits and veggies, like:
- Watermelon (92% water)
- Strawberries (91% water)
- Cantaloupe (90% water)
- Oranges (88% water)
- Cucumber (95% water)
- Lettuce (96% water)
- Zucchini (94% water)
- Celery (95% water)
Stay hydrated and stay healthy!
Drinking water is just one way to protect and strengthen your spine. For over 25 years the caring, compassionate, and knowledgeable staff at William Capicotto MD PC have treated patients with neck and back pain. Our goal is to restore mobility and get you back to doing the things you love best. Contact us to set up a consultation or learn more about your spine, back and neck pain, plus other ways to reduce pain and keep your spine healthy.
