Is Dehydration to Blame for Your Back Pain?
By Sara Butler
You know how important it is to stay hydrated in order for your body to properly function, but do you know that not getting enough water can cause you physical pain? It's true! Dehydration can be a cause of back pain, but the good news is that it's easy to treat and prevent. Here's what the chiropractors at The Joint Chiropractic want you to know.
Dehydration and Back Pain
How exactly does not drinking enough water lead to back pain? It has to do with your spinal discs.
In your back, you have small discs between the bones of your spine that act as tiny cushions. These discs are made up of almost 75 percent water, with a fibrous outer shell and a soft jelly-like material in the interior. As you go through the motions of your day, these discs take a lot of the force your spine is subjected to and the water they're made of is slowly being released in the process. When you go to sleep at night, this is when your body hydrates the discs and plumps them back up for another day of shock-absorbing fun. If there's not enough water to replenish the discs, then they can't plump up and do their job properly and that can lead to back pain and swelling.
Are You Dehydrated?
There are some simple symptoms that can let you know if you're not getting enough water. These include:
- Fever
- Anger
- Bad breath
- Fatigue
- Headaches
- Muscle cramps
- Dark urine
- Dry eyes
- Blurry vision
- Dizziness
How to Stay Hydrated
Of course, if it was easy to stay hydrated, then everyone would do it. That's why it's important to take steps to make sure you consume enough water each day, such as:
- Making sure you always have water on hand
- Making an effort to consume more water when you're sweating from exercise or spending time outdoors
- Adding fresh fruit to your water in order to make it tastier to drink and therefore help you to drink more of it
- Eating enough fresh fruits and vegetables each day since they contain water to help keep you hydrated
- Purchasing a reusable water bottle that will help you remember to drink more and that makes your water better such as an insulated water bottle to keep water ice cold
- Downloading an app that helps you track your daily water intake
If you need more help staying hydrated to prevent back pain, then talk to the chiropractors at The Joint today!
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Aurora, Colo.