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One of the most common health tips has got to be to drink more water. The human body is made up of about 60% water and when it isn’t properly hydrated, dehydration can take hold. This is especially true during the summer months as heat draws water from the body. Here’s what you need to know about dehydration and your spine.
What is the link between dehydration and back pain? Your spinal discs! These small, jelly-like discs are nearly 75% water. The outer ring of the disc, also known as the nucleus pulposus, and the inner ring are mostly water. As you carry on about your day, water is slowly released from the spinal discs. By the end of the day, you could be up to a half an inch shorter than you were when you woke up!
Your spinal discs are unable to get the nutrients and hydration they need like the rest of the body. Instead, they use a process called imbibition. Imbibition occurs when proper motion takes place between the joints above and below each disc. This process creates a pump-like effect so nutrients and water can go in and out of the discs. Without proper movement and hydration, the spinal discs won’t get the nutrients they need, which can lead to disc degeneration, instability, and eventually spinal decay. To keep your spinal discs healthy, be sure to move throughout the day and stay hydrated.
Here are a few signs that indicate dehydration:
A good rule of thumb to help you stay hydrated is to make a goal to drink half your body weight in ounces each day. So, if you weigh 180 pounds, try to drink about 90 ounces of water per day. Remember that your health and the health of your spine depend on proper hydration!
At Wills Chiropractic, we are committed to helping you find true health no matter what time of year. To learn more about how chiropractic can benefit you, click here to contact your local Rochelle, IL chiropractor.
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