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Is Dehydration to Blame for Back Pain?

By Sara Butler

Hydration is important to your health -- but not always for the reasons you may think. Sure, it helps to keep your organs functioning properly, your skin supple, and your thirst quenched, but hydration is also really important to your spine.

Back pain is one of the biggest reasons patients come into The Joint and often they assume they’re experiencing back pain because they’ve injured their back. The truth of the matter is that your back pain may simply be the result of not drinking enough water! Here’s what the chiropractors at The Joint want you to know about hydration and back pain.

How Dehydration Impacts the Spine

Your spine is made up of bones technically referred to as vertebrae. Sandwiched between the vertebra is a disc that helps to cushion the bones and keep the spaces between your bones large enough for the nerve roots to pass through on their way to different parts of your body. These discs are about 75 percent water.

When you’re dehydrated, the discs between the bones may not get enough water to do their job properly. This can cause pain and discomfort.

Are You Dehydrated?

The signs of dehydration go beyond thirst. These symptoms may also indicate that you need to drink more water:

  • Muscle cramps
  • Fatigue
  • Dry skin
  • Headaches
  • Bad breath
  • Dry eyes
  • Blurry vision
  • Dizziness
  • Fever
  • Moodiness

How to Stay Hydrated

It can be a challenge to get the amount of water your body needs each day to function properly, but if you have a plan, then it can be made much easier! Set a goal of drinking at least one-half ounce of water per pound of your bodyweight. That means if you weigh 250 pounds, then you should drink 125 ounces of water per day.

You can also make sure you stay hydrated by:

  • Carrying a water bottle with you to sip from
  • Setting a timer to help you remember to drink
  • Find an app for your smartphone that helps you track water intake
  • Each plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables

Staying hydrated is important to your health -- your spinal health included. If you have back pain and you suspect it’s from not getting enough water, have the chiropractors at The Joint Chiropractic do an assessment and help you get on the right track!

To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Aurora, Colo.

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